Monthly Archives: November 2023

My initial thoughts on the 2023 election

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Suffice it to say I was off base on turnout. I thought we would be on track to top the turnout of the 2003 Mayor’s race, but in the end we fell short of 2015’s level. I’d have lost quite … Continue reading →

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Paxton whistleblower lawsuit paused again

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

WTF??? The whistleblower lawsuit against Attorney General Ken Paxton has once again been put on pause, this time by a judge who had not been previously involved in the case. The Texas Supreme Court agreed to jumpstart the case in … Continue reading →

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HISD reveals its “District of Innovation” plans

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m more skeptical than I was before, mostly because of how things have gone so far in HISD. Houston ISD released a draft plan Monday evening to potentially exempt itself from 10 state laws, including teacher certification requirements, class size … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 6

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance welcomes the start of candidate filing season as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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2023 election results: Houston and Harris County

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to be brief, and will have a longer look at things tomorrow. A bit more than 20% of the E-Day votes had been tallied as of 10 PM, but for the most part I’d say we had a … Continue reading →

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2023 election results: Statewide

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

There are a few items of interest here, starting with this. Property tax cuts, a raise for retired teachers and billions in investments in infrastructure, research, tech and energy appeared headed for passage as voters showed their approval for more … Continue reading →

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2023 election results: National

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Tuesday evening started with some good news. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear will lead Kentucky for another four years after defeating his Republican opponent, state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, in Tuesday’s election. Beshear’s margin stood at 53-47 with approximately 80% of … Continue reading →

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Today is Election Day 2023

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The Harris County Clerk’s Office reminds citizens that [today] is Election Day. 701 vote centers will be open across Harris County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and registered voters can cast their ballots at a location … Continue reading →

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State Rep. Craig Goldman to run for CD12

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Of interest. State Rep. Craig Goldman announced Friday he is running to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, a fellow Fort Worth Republican. “My record proves I will be a conservative fighter who will prioritize border security and the American … Continue reading →

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Time once again for reimagining the Astrodome

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Knock yourselves out. Alfonso Hernandez recalled growing up in a little town in Venezuela with a population of about 500,000 people, but still knowing what the Astrodome was due to seeing so many monumental moments on TV — including Nolan … Continue reading →

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A few thoughts about Tuesday turnout

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We now know how many early votes were cast in Harris County for the November 2023 election. I’m now going to run through a few scenarios to show what the range of possibility is for overall final turnout. None of … Continue reading →

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COVID vaccine mandate ban for private employers passed

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Welp. A sweeping ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates for employees of private Texas businesses is on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, carrying with it a $50,000 fine for employers who punish workers for refusing the shot. Senate Bill … Continue reading →

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A legal view of the Arlington nun mutiny

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The Fort Worth Report talks to some legal experts about the fascinating dispute between the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Arlington and Fort Worth Bishop Michael F. Olson. Lawrence Sager is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s School … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for November 5

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

“The practice of using land for both agriculture and solar power generation, known as agrivoltaics, is becoming increasingly common in Texas and nationwide.” “Everything Elon Musk Broke in the Year He’s Owned Twitter”. “From Tehran’s perspective, an informal alliance with … Continue reading →

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November 2023 Final EV totals: Records successfully broken

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We had a big last day in early voting on Friday, as you can see below: Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 29,859 164,104 193,963 2019 15,304 137,460 152,764 2023 14,925 224,400 239,325 The final EV totals from 2015 are … Continue reading →

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The crazy District G race

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Wowsers. Days after Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted in his impeachment trial in late September, his attorney, Tony Buzbee, rode the win on a campaign stage, while his opponent Mary Nan Huffman tried to convince conservative District G voters … Continue reading →

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A brief primer on driverless cars

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

From the Trib: It’s 8 p.m. in downtown Austin, and the electric cars silently exit the parking lot one by one — but no one is behind the wheel of any of them. The Cruise depot is full of people … Continue reading →

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Keep an eye on the Cy-Fair ISD elections

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

There’s potential for a lot of badness here. Conservative political-action committees and GOP U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz are backing four Cy-Fair ISD trustee candidates in next week’s election for four positions that could sway control of the board in one … Continue reading →

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The school safety funding farce

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Typical. State legislators made school safety a top priority this year after 19 students and two teachers died in the 2022 Uvalde school shooting. But even after they passed a sweeping bill on the topic this May, schools have been … Continue reading →

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Don’t trash your pumpkins

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Here are some better ideas. Looking for a new home for your pumpkin now that Halloween is over? Well, Houston might have the solution. The city is collecting pumpkins — carved, guts or otherwise — now through next Wednesday as … Continue reading →

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8 day 2023 campaign finance reports – Houston Mayor

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Election Day is next Tuesday, and candidates have (mostly) now filed their eight day reports, which is the last look we’ll get at how they’re doing campaign finance-wise before the votes are counted. I don’t have the time or the … Continue reading →

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Paxton prosecutors win pay ruling

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure this will be appealed, but for now it’s a win for them. A Harris County district judge has sided with the special prosecutors handling Ken Paxton’s securities fraud case in their years-long effort to get paid. The judge, … Continue reading →

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Dispatches from Dallas, November 3 edition

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

This is a weekly feature produced by my friend Ginger. Let us know what you think. This week, in news from Dallas-Fort Worth, two major cyberattacks in the Dallas area; Rep. Kay Granger of Fort Worth decides not to run … Continue reading →

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November 2023 Day Eleven EV totals: About to break records

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

With one day to go in early voting, we are about to set a record. Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 27,952 128,611 156,563 2019 14,280 103,945 118,225 2023 14,034 171,673 185,707 The final EV totals from 2015 are here … Continue reading →

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Rep. Kay Granger to retire

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

From Monday evening. U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, won’t run for reelection, five well-placed sources who know the longtime congresswoman’s plans told the Fort Worth Report and KERA News. “I think she’s tired,” said one source. “She’s accomplished so … Continue reading →

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Dallas County says it successfully defended itself against that cyber attack

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Very good news if true. Dallas County said Tuesday that an attempt to hack into its computer systems earlier this month has been thwarted and staff are continuing to investigate the incident. The county announced on its website that its … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math, The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Skeet Jones indicted and suspended

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Have you been waiting for a Skeet Jones update? Well, you’re in luck. State regulators have suspended without pay the top elected official of Texas’s least-populated county after a grand jury indicted him for cattle rustling. Judge Skeet Jones, patriarch … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of October 30

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The thoughts and prayers of the Texas Progressive Alliance are with the people of Acapulco and the people of Maine as we bring you this week’s roundup.

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October 2023 campaign finance reports – Congress

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

As promised, here are the Congressional reports for Q3 2023. The Q3 Senate reports are here, the July reports for both are here, and the April reports for both are here. Sandeep Srivastava – CD03 John Love – CD06 Lizzie … Continue reading →

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Dallas County suffers ransomware attack

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Add them to the list. Dallas County experienced a cybersecurity incident this month that affected parts of its network, an official confirmed on Monday. In a statement to Recorded Future News, Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins said that there … Continue reading →

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November 2023 Day Nine EV totals: Just the numbers

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday was Halloween, I’m still a little strung out from handing out Trick or Treat loot, so here’s just the updated numbers: Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 24,768 89,599 114,367 2019 11,356 76,613 87,989 2023 10,274 123,609 133,883 The … Continue reading →

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