Monthly Archives: September 2015

Interview with Bill Frazer

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Next up on our list of candidates to succeed term limited City Controller Ronald Green is Bill Frazer, who is attempting to build on his respectable showing against Green in 2013. Here’s the 2013 interview I did with Frazer, and … Continue reading →

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Chron Mayoral profile: Marty McVey

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

This is the sixth in a series of profiles on the top candidates running for mayor in Houston. Standing in his sparse west Houston office this summer, Marty McVey traced his route to victory across a city map hung on … Continue reading →

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We’re still #1!

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

In uninsured people. For the first time in more than a decade, Texas’ uninsured rate dipped below 20 percent, analysts said [recently] following the release of U.S. Census data. Slightly more than 5 million Texans were uninsured in 2014 — … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: For Jerry

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes another easy call by endorsing CM Jerry Davis for a third term in District B. In this race Davis is the only candidate who understands how the system functions and how a council member can pull the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Chris Brown

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing with my interviews with candidates for Houston City Controller to succeed the term-limited Ronald Green, today’s subject is Chris Brown. The son of former City Council member and Mayoral candidate Peter Brown, Chris Brown currently serves as the Chief … Continue reading →

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Bad choice, Lance

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Very disappointing. Lance Berkman, former Houston Astros star and Texas native, has waded into the fight for LGBT protections, sharing his views in a new ad campaign this week. At the center of Berkman’s concern is Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance … Continue reading →

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Uber update, parts 2 and 3

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Driving for Uber is a tough way to make a living. One hundred job applications and still nothing. Jennifer Cantrell, 34, partway through a master’s degree in social work, had depleted her savings and needed a new plan. Through Facebook, … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Stardig

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I’m too lazy to think of a clever title for this one. Brenda Stardig is on the verge of completing her nonconsecutive second term as district councilwoman, and she has earned a third. Stardig, 53, came into office with a … Continue reading →

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Interview with Carroll Robinson

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

We are coming into the home stretch for interview season. This week will be interviews with candidates for Houston City Controller, currently held by term-limited incumbent Ronald Green. First up is Carroll Robinson, who served three terms as At Large … Continue reading →

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Uber update, part 1

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron, in conjunction with Al Jazeera Americas, gives the first of what should be a four-part look at how Uber is doing in Houson. Less than a year after Houston began regulating so-called transportation network companies, questions persist about … Continue reading →

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Counting the number of same sex marriages in Texas

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Fewer than I’d have guessed, but still a decent amount percentage-wise. Statewide, an estimated 2,500 same-sex couples have received marriage licenses in Texas since the [Obergfell] ruling. There is no exact accounting of how many same-sex marriage licenses have been … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Our first twofer

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

My first clear misses, too. For our next controller, voters should look for a candidate who can refocus the distracted office on the straight and narrow of Houston’s financial picture. In our current straits, we don’t have the luxury of … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for September 27

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

“Japan now has enough women over 100 years old to fill Yankee Stadium”. Freedom of speech, bitches. “In the early days of space flight, menstruation was part of the argument for why women shouldn’t become astronauts.” Giant Arctic mosquitoes: Yet … Continue reading →

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Harris Health wants more people to enroll in Obamacare

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Who can blame them? Harris County’s public health care agency, responding to a budget crisis, will eliminate more than 19,000 people next year from eligibility for free or nearly free services, hoping most of these patients will obtain coverage through … Continue reading →

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The dark side of SpaceX

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Be careful what you wish for. People who live in Boca Chica Village, all 26 of them, knew Elon Musk’s SpaceX company would put the South Texas town on the map after it was selected last year as the world’s … Continue reading →

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San Antonio implements Vision Zero

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. Tuesday marked the official launch of San Antonio’s Vision Zero, a multi-national awareness and educational initiative that calls for zero traffic fatalities. It’s a lofty goal, but proponents of the plan say these deaths, especially those of … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Let’s continue a success story

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses CM Richard Nguyen, first term Council Member whose win was a surprise in 2013 and whose service on Council has been easily deserving of a second term. A political neophyte when he stepped into office two years … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Here Comes The Flood

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here comes a very young Peter Gabriel, doing a very acoustic piano version of “Here Comes The Flood”: That was from a 1979 Kate Bush Christmas special. Who knew Kate Bush had a Christmas special? Who knew that was a … Continue reading →

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Ogg announces for DA

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Rematch time. Kim Ogg, the Democrat who unsuccessfully ran for district attorney last year, launched her second bid for the office Friday, promising to pursue violent criminals, de-emphasize misdemeanor marijuana possession cases and aggressively combat prosecutorial misconduct. Ogg took a … Continue reading →

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Why Ken Paxton isn’t going anywhere

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

It’s as simple as one: In a rare public appearance since his indictment in late July, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made an appeal for more Christian involvement in politics as he addressed the congregation at First Baptist Grapevine on … Continue reading →

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B-Cycle expansion coming

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston area officials are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into widening Interstate 45, and they could be paying much more for even larger upcoming projects along the corridor. But a comparatively-paltry sum is about to boost bike sharing … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: A close choice

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Greg Travis in a close call in District G. Attorney Greg Travis, 52, is going head-to-head against media consultant and current Houston Community College Trustee Sandie Mullins Moger, 50. Each candidate brought an excellent resume and knowledge … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Revisiting the Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs list, part 14

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s their list. 1. Foxey Lady – Jimi Hendrix (#153) 2. Me and Bobby McGee – Kris Kristofferson (featured cover by Janis Joplin, #148; also a cover by The Modern Barbershop Quartet) 3. Rock Lobster – The B-52’s 4. Purple … Continue reading →

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Get ready for the TV ads to begin

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Keep that DVR remote handy, because you’re going to have to start fast-forwarding through Mayoral campaign ads on TV soon. After nearly topping the July fundraising that put this year’s mayor’s race on track to be the most expensive in … Continue reading →

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Council approves inmate processing center deal with Harris County

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Very good news. An end is in sight for the inefficient process of shuttling prisoners in and out of redundant local lockups after the City Council on Wednesday approved an agreement with Harris County to build a long-discussed inmate processing … Continue reading →

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No way to run a road bond election

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Am I a bad person for being unreasonably amused by this? A special prosecutor has been assigned to determine whether behind-the-scenes negotiations could void a last-minute deal struck by Montgomery County commissioners to get a scaled-back $270 million road bond … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: In my neighborhood

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Karla Cisneros in District H, proving that while one can guess who they’ll endorse, one has no hope of guessing in what order they’ll print their endorsements. Karla Cisneros is the woman for the job. Cisneros, who … Continue reading →

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Texas Pulse Poll

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Hey look! Someone polled Texas. A statewide poll of Texas likely voters finds that immigration and the economy are the top issues of concern for residents of the Lone Star State. The poll also found that Donald Trump and Hillary … Continue reading →

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Getting back into the marriage game

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

It was too good to stay away. Two Harris County justices of the peace have resumed officiating weddings this week after a brief hiatus in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on marriage equality. Judges Russ Ridgway … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: HERO ain’t everything

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I predicted that the Chron would endorse CM Kubosh, so I can’t say that I’m surprised that they endorsed him. That said, their logic is always a sight to behold. At a City Hall filled with lawyers, urban planners and … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of September 21

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes everyone a happy and balanced equinox as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Dr. Adriana Tamez

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

As I said last time, HCC Trustee races are a lot more important than you’d think from the amount of attention they get. Aside from the Dave Wilson problem, it’s an office with a six-year term, no resign-to-run requirement, and … Continue reading →

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JP Dale Gorczynski will not run for re-election

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not usually in the breaking news business around here, but today I have some: Judge Dale Gorcynski, who has served as Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1 since 1992, will not be running for re-election next year. I … Continue reading →

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GOP versus Hall

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Pass the popcorn. The Harris County Republican Party released a flyer Monday attacking Houston mayoral candidate Ben Hall for his Democratic ties and previous support for a nondiscrimination ordinance. Among top-tier mayoral candidates, Hall, a Democrat, is the most ardent … Continue reading →

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