Monthly Archives: December 2015

Precinct analysis: Controller runoff

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

One last election to review: Dist Brown Frazer ====================== A 5,232 7,918 B 13,161 2,616 C 15,244 15,726 D 16,390 4,197 E 6,118 16,073 F 3,890 3,527 G 8,775 21,762 H 6,558 3,117 I 5,253 2,731 J 2,794 2,763 K … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2015 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Metro and HCTRA exploring other payment options

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Look for them soon. Many transit riders are clamoring for smartphone payment for Metro buses and trains, which the agency originally announced would be ready by the end of 2015. Those plans have been delayed because of contract negotiations, but … Continue reading →

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How ready is Texas law enforcement for open carry?

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Hard to say. But we’ll begin to find out soon enough. Texas law enforcement has also been pretty vocal about their concerns with open carry. They are, after all, the group who’ll have to deal with most of the potential … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of December 28

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is taking a cup of kindness yet as it brings you this last roundup of 2015.

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Precinct analysis: At Large #5 runoff

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Our last Council runoff review: Dist Christie Moses ====================== A 8,729 3,657 B 3,273 11,539 C 17,743 8,757 D 5,285 13,847 E 16,652 4,324 F 4,108 2,747 G 23,150 4,954 H 4,230 4,405 I 3,716 3,611 J 3,149 1,985 K … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2015 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Our bail policies are unjust, costly, and stupid

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Any questions about how I really feel? “The numbers clearly tell the story: More than three-fourths of the people in Harris County Jail haven’t been convicted of crime, and the majority of them are sitting in jail simply because they … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The forthcoming fight over the Alabama-Coushatta casino in Texas

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I missed this report from November. After more than 13 years, the feds say the Alabama-Coushatta’s casino in Livingston can finally reopen. And here’s the kicker: according to the federal government’s reasoning, the tribe’s casino should never have been forced … Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2016 Election page is up

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here it is. A few notes: – This is for races that will appear on the Harris County ballot only. Our ballot is big enough, with enough contested primary races, that I didn’t have the time or the energy to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

One million plus Texas Obamacare enrollments

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

It keeps going up. Just over one million Texans had signed up on the federal health insurance exchange as of last Saturday, signaling a steady drumbeat of interest and giving local advocates a chance for some celebration. “I will take … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

City-county relations should continue to be good

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Glad to hear it. Prospects for increased city-county cooperation are looking up, Houston Mayor-elect Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett say, forecasting further thawing of the historically contentious relationship between the jurisdictions. Turner spoke with Emmett and Harris … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with Mayor Annise Parker

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

We are in the last few days of the administration of Mayor Annise Parker. Having served three terms each as Council member and Controller, she is finishing up eighteen years as an elected official in the city of Houston. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The incumbents’ advantage

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Is it about to become that much harder to vote incumbent city officials out of office? The already difficult task of ousting incumbent Houston officeholders likely has become even tougher. City elected officials now have an extended runway to accumulate … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Date set for SCOTUS HB2 arguments

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments about the constitutionality of Texas’ strict anti-abortion law on March 2, the justices announced Thursday, setting a date for a hotly anticipated fight that could affect women’s health policy across … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for December 27

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

What assembling IKEA furniture tells us about gender differences. “So basically what’s going on is that NBC is allowing Bush Hagar to use her journalistic credentials and access to shill for one side in this marketing war. This, folks, is … Continue reading →

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Programming note

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to be taking a bit of a mental health break for the next ten days or so. I’ve got things queued up to publish during this time, including the last of the runoff precinct analyses, an exit interview … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrivia | 4 Comments

Nothing says “holiday season” like immigration raids

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

How festive. Immigration agents are planning to round up Central American families that have been ordered deported by a judge in response to an unexpected surge in children and families crossing the border in South Texas, a former high-ranking immigration … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When should body camera video be released?

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

HPD is still working on it. As the Houston Police Department begins rolling out body cameras among the rank and file, Chief Charles A. McClelland said the department is changing its policy governing how and when HPD releases videos collected … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Saturday video break: The State of New York concedes the existence of Santa Claus

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

A climactic scene from one of my favorite movies of all time: That is of course the one true version of Miracle on 34th Street, the original 1947 version. I do not speak of the 1994 remake, but I will … Continue reading →

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#IWillProtectYou

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

This is great and terrible at the same time. Melissa Yassini and her 8-year-old daughter, Sofia, spend some time every evening reading messages from the thousands of people who have told Sofia not to be afraid just because she’s Muslim. … Continue reading →

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Pancho Claus keeps on going

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Always a pleasure to hear. Pancho Claus [Richard Reyes] works year-round, looking for sponsorships and running an ongoing toy drive, so he can have enough to hand out each December. His day job involves driving a promotional vehicle for Taxis … Continue reading →

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It’s Mel Torme time again

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Every year on Christmas Day, I link to my favorite Christmas story, which stars Mel Torme. It is often shamelessly ripped off a lot, which is a Bad Thing that one Should Not Do. So click over and read it, … Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Thursday video break: And all through the house

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve posted this video before, and here it is again: I’m nowhere close to being tired of this, so look for it again next year. Happy Christmas Eve!

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Maybe we just shouldn’t have nativity scenes on government property

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Seems like the obvious answer to me. A “winter solstice” display by the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been ordered removed from the Texas Capitol after Gov. Greg Abbott called it a “juvenile parody.” The display had been approved by … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

RIP, Joe Jamail

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

A legal legend. Legendary Texas lawyer Joe Jamail, known as the “King of Torts,” passed away today from complications from pneumonia. Texas Lawyer in 2014 asked Jamail whether he ever planned to retire. “You’ll read about it in the obituary,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Wednesday random ten: It’s wintertime in the city

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I figure today is like Friday for most people – I will certainly be on a reduced schedule for the next few days – so here’s an early song list, in honor of our benighted Ag Commissioner, Sid Miller – … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

State cuts off funds to Planned Parenthood for HIV testing

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Seriously? Amid an ongoing battle over Planned Parenthood’s participation in the state Medicaid program, Texas health officials are cutting off funding to a Planned Parenthood affiliate for an HIV prevention program. In a notice received by Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

AG’s office upholds Abbott’s line item vetos

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Of course it does. Gov. Greg Abbott was well within his powers when he vetoed more than $200 million in funds approved by the Texas Legislature this year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office wrote in an opinion issued Monday. … Continue reading →

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New school board for La Marque selected

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Another step in the process. The Texas education commissioner on Friday announced the appointments of a new superintendent and a board of managers for the troubled La Marque school district, replacing a board that is legally challenging an order for … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of December 21

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes Ag Commissioner Sid Miller a happy holiday as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Endorsement watch: Latino electeds for Gene Green

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Not a big surprise. U.S. Rep. Gene Green, a Houston Democrat, will pick up support from several Houston political players Tuesday. The 12-term congressman faces what could be a formidable primary challenge in the form of former Harris County Sheriff … Continue reading →

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Paxton officially reindicted

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The judge in AG Ken Paxton’s securities fraud case approved the amended indictments that were most recently filed against him. The two first-degree felony indictments alleging securities fraud delete the amount of shares of Servergy Inc. stock that Paxton was … Continue reading →

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More on the Gulf Coast Rail District and the high speed rail line

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reports on the story. Officials with the Gulf Coast Rail District, Houston-Galveston Area Council, Texas Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Transit Authority are involved in a comprehensive planning study of rail, generally in the Washington Avenue and Interstate … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: At Large #4 runoff

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here we have the least competitive runoff of the six that were citywide. Dist Edwards Morales ======================= A 6,322 6,153 B 14,660 1,761 C 17,813 10,238 D 18,341 2,882 E 7,688 13,231 F 4,046 3,080 G 11,996 15,203 H 5,610 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2015 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Metro posts solid ridership increase

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. METRO’s chosen path to increase ridership by delivering improved routes, with improved connections, is producing solid, steady and most impressively significant, numbers – across the board. Ridership on all fixed routes grew to nearly 7 million in November 2015. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments