Monthly Archives: December 2015

Turner defeats King

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

It was close, but he led throughout. State Rep. Sylvester Turner won the Houston mayor’s race with a down-to-the-wire finish to edge businessman Bill King Saturday. While Turner won the most ballots in early voting, King narrowed the gap quickly … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: I Can’t Turn You Loose

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s welcome Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues: I couldn’t find the clip from the movie for that, but we can all picture it, I’m sure. That was an Otis Redding song. Have you ever heard his original … Continue reading →

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Today is Runoff Day

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Runoff Election Day is Saturday, Dec. 12 for citizens registered to vote within the legal boundaries of the City of Houston and Houston ISD Trustee District II and III. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to … Continue reading →

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Overview of the open Council seat runoffs

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Kind of late in the cycle given the number of lesser known candidates in these races, and not nearly complete, but here it is anyway. In addition to the first open mayor’s race in six years, Houstonians can expect to … Continue reading →

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More candidates for Sheriff

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

We’re up to four now. Lt. Jeff Stauber confirmed Thursday he is running for Harris County sheriff. “It’s the job that I always wanted. There’s no doubt that I could lead this agency,” Stauber said. Now a lieutenant assigned to … Continue reading →

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Another kind of feral hog to worry about

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Texas now has a warthog problem. Over its 46-year history, the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area has been the site of a long list of achievements that cemented its reputation as the premier state-owned wildlife and wildlife habitat research, education and … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Audrey’s favorites

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

And here are the ten songs that Audrey wanted to contribute: 1. Welcome To New York – Taylor Swift 2. Where Have You Been – Rihanna 3. Counting Stars – One Republic 4. Stronger – Kelly Clarkson 5. Lone Ranger … Continue reading →

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The ground game

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Where we are with one day to go. The neck-and-neck Houston mayor’s race has become an all-out ground war in the final days before Saturday’s runoff election as Sylvester Turner and Bill King turn to local Democratic and Republican party … Continue reading →

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Here comes I-14

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Don’t hold your breath waiting for it, however. This will take awhile. Texas is getting a new interstate, as part of a long-term federal transportation bill. Interstate 14 will be cobbled together mostly from U.S. 190 and other existing roads … Continue reading →

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Rep. Naishtat will not run for re-election

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Godspeed. Longtime state Rep. Elliott Naishtat announced Thursday he will not seek re-election to the House seat he first won in 1990, despite saying earlier this week that he would. Naishtat, 70, said Tuesday he had discovered a renewed desire … Continue reading →

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HISD Trustee runoff overview

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

There are other races on the ballot this Saturday. Rhonda Skillern-Jones, the board president, faces pastor Larry Williams in the District 2 race to represent north Houston. In southeast Houston’s District 3, Jose Leal, a former HISD administrator, is challenging … Continue reading →

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KHOU/KUHF poll: Tuner 38, King 38

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

We have a tie, according to the latest poll. Sylvester Turner and Bill King are now locked in a dead heat in the race for Houston mayor, according to the newly released KHOU-News 88.7 Poll of likely voters. The survey … Continue reading →

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The arguments in the “one person, one vote” case

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story: “We start with the proposition that one person can’t be given two votes, while their neighbor be given one vote,” said Arlington, Va., attorney William Consovoy, arguing Evenwel’s case before the high court. Texas officials argued … Continue reading →

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Council members complain about open records requests

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, please. Councilmen Michael Kubosh and Dave Martin on Tuesday blasted a records request from a D.C.-based nonprofit to those council members who voted against the Houston equal rights ordinance, known as HERO, last year. The Campaign for Accountability’s request … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of December 7

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance thinks we need fewer thoughts and more actions to curb gun violence as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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State strikes out again on Syrian refugees

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

0 for 2 and counting. A judge on Wednesday denied a renewed attempt by Texas officials to block nine Syrian refugees from entering the state, describing the state’s safety concerns as “largely speculative hearsay.” “The (state) has failed to show … Continue reading →

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Let’s find a super Super

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The search is on for a Terry Grier successor. The search for a new HISD superintendent should start in earnest this week. The school board plans to vote Thursday to authorize spending up to $70,000 on the search and to … Continue reading →

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Judge from Paxton grand jury hearing has his say

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Time for more popcorn. Once upon a time, Ken Paxton and Chris Oldner were political allies, dinner companions, and perhaps, even friends. Not any more, though. In legal filings and court hearings, Attorney General Ken Paxton’s legal team has taken … Continue reading →

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CM Ed Gonzalez to run for Sheriff

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Good. City Councilman Ed Gonzalez, an 18-year Houston Police Department veteran, announced Tuesday that he will run for Harris County Sheriff next year. Gonzalez is finishing his third and final term as councilman of District H, the majority Hispanic district … Continue reading →

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Final EV 2015 runoff totals

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

And we’re done: Date Early Mail Total Mailed ====================================== 11/15 61,008 21,141 82,149 42,938 12/15 86,233 27,153 113,386 39,649 The runoff numbers are here, and the final EV totals for November are here. I had guessed that the final EV … Continue reading →

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Oral arguments in “one man, one vote” case today

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

High stakes, indeed. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in a case that could have far-reaching implications for the way legislative districts in Texas — and across the country — are drawn. A coalition of Texas legislators, … Continue reading →

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No hearing on request to bar refugees till January

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

So much for that. A Dallas-based federal judge has denied a request by Texas state officials for an expedited hearing regarding Syrian refugees and will not rule on the case until mid-January at the earliest. Judge David Godbey informed lawyers … Continue reading →

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Reynolds alleges bias in his conviction

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Anything is possible. A Fort Bend County lawmaker is waging a public counter-offensive against prosecutors in nearby Montgomery County after his unusual conviction for illegally soliciting clients for his law practice, saying that he was the victim of selective prosecution … Continue reading →

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An app to help the homeless

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

This is a great idea. A shower. A meal. A place to sleep. Those basic needs come to mind when most think of the homeless. Our Calling, a Dallas nonprofit, has given the homeless an iPhone app. The faith-based nonprofit … Continue reading →

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Day 5 EV 2015 runoff totals

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Two more early voting days to go: Date Early Mail Total Mailed ====================================== 11/15 48,027 21,141 69,168 42,938 12/15 50,257 22,116 72,373 39,649 The runoff numbers are here, and the final EV totals for November are here. Day Five of … Continue reading →

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Just leave already

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Seriously. State GOP leaders, in a predictable but closely watched vote, have defeated a proposal to ask Texas voters whether they favor secession. In a voice vote Saturday afternoon, the State Republican Executive Committee rejected a measure that would have … Continue reading →

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Dolly Elizondo to run for CD15

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

This bears watching. Dolly Elizondo, a Texas Realtor and local Democratic activist, said Thursday she will run in the state’s 15th District, a campaign that, if successful, could make her the first Latina to represent the Lone Star State in … Continue reading →

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We have a messed up tax system in this state

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The latest exhibit: The volatile oil and gas industry already has prompted Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar to reduce his state revenue estimate, but that may not be the last of the bad budget news. A court decision potentially could cost … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for December 6

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

How Shonda Rhimes treats story lines that involve abortion. Felicia Day joins the MST3K revival. Nerds rejoice. “I mention all this not just to point out that the fighting in Iraq lasted longer than five months and has now spread … Continue reading →

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2015 eight day runoff finance reports

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Here are the reports, for all but one of the runoff candidates: Mayor Sylvester Turner Bill King Controller Chris Brown Bill Frazer At Large #1 Georgia Provost Mike Knox At Large #2 David Robinson Willie David At Large #4 Amanda … Continue reading →

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Elevating the West Loop

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I suppose this was inevitable. Planners on Dec. 10 are scheduled to detail plans for elevated managed lanes along Loop 610, from north of Interstate 10 to U.S. 59. Long constrained by the development and parkland along the freeway, the … Continue reading →

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Former Servergy CEO sues over Paxton-related costs

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

What a tangled web. The former CEO of the technology startup named in Ken Paxton’s indictments is suing the company he founded for costs associated with the attorney general’s criminal investigation and ongoing legal battle. William Mapp III, the founder … Continue reading →

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Violence against transgender people

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

There’s way too much of it. For a few transgender Americans, this has been a year of glamour and fame. For many others, 2015 has been fraught with danger, violence and mourning. While Caitlyn Jenner made the cover of Vanity … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: I Can’t Stop Loving You

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Ready for a standard? Here’s the Chairman of the Board himself: I feel like that would have been an appropriately ironic background song for a whacking on The Sopranos. Ah well, hindsight is 20/20. Now here’s Ray Charles: Like all … Continue reading →

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