Monthly Archives: January 2016

Weekend link dump for January 31

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Evangelicals deserve Donald Trump. “Eventually, the two parties may come to agree on the challenges the country faces, and then have actual discussions — and disagreements and competition — over how to address them. That’s bipartisanship. And counterintuitive as it … Continue reading →

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Mary Beth Rogers’ prescription for Texas Democrats

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure you’ve seen this article by Mary Beth Rogers, onetime campaign manager for Ann Richards, about how Democrats can compete and win statewide again. DEAR TEXAS DEMOCRATS… First, let’s get the numbers out of the way. Let’s use the … Continue reading →

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Another legal bill for Texas

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That’s what happens when you lose. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to let stand a ruling that awarded more than $1.1 million to lawyers who represented former Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis and several minority-rights groups in a case … Continue reading →

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Lujan wins HD118 special election runoff

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I know everyone is focused on the primaries now, but there was an actual election this past week. Winning in a district long held by Democrats, Republican John Lujan outpolled Tomás Uresti in Tuesday’s special runoff in Texas House District … Continue reading →

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The Jolanda Show

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Set your DVRs. The Houston school board just got a little more star power. Jolanda Jones, the former city councilwoman who joined the board last week, is starring in a new reality show called “Sisters In Law,” set to air … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: I Wanna Be With You

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Feel the 70s goodness with the Raspberries: Somewhat forgotten 70s goodness, I suppose. I got that song from a collection CD, and I can’t say I’d ever heard it before. Not even from a K-Tel commercial. I may not have … Continue reading →

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Some Latino political power trends

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Latino electorate keeps on growing. The Latino electorate is bigger and better-educated than ever before, according to a new report by Pew Research Center. It’s also young. Adults age 18-35 make up nearly half of the record 27.3 million … Continue reading →

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Paxton can get some help with his legal bills

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

With some conditions attached, for whatever that’s worth. Indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton could tap out-of-state supporters to pay his legal defense team but must ensure those funds have not been funneled from any Texas donors, according to a draft … Continue reading →

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Rep. McClendon resigns her seat

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Farewell to a good legislator. State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, who isn’t seeking re-election this year, has submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott effective Sunday, with 11 months remaining in her term. McClendon, D-San Antonio, has served … Continue reading →

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The Dream takes on The Donald

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

You tell ’em, Hakeem. Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, a devout Muslim splitting his time between homes in Houston and outside London, England, on Saturday called the proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States “not worthy of a president.” … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Speak to me

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Some songs are more spoken-word pieces set to music, sometimes but not always with a sung refrain, than actual singing. Here are ten examples from my collection: 1. Lisdoovarna – SixMileBridge (video, though not by SixMileBridge) 2. Everything Is Borrowed … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Judge Elaine Palmer

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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How the tables got turned on the video fraudsters

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

A must read. Planned Parenthood’s legal strategy was in some ways similar to how corporations facing major white-collar criminal investigations often cooperate closely with prosecutors to try to influence the outcome. From the start, Planned Parenthood and its Houston lawyer … Continue reading →

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Resign to run has kicked in for Council members

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Another change that our new term limits law has wrought. Houston elected officials who become a candidate for another elected office are now automatically required to resign their current seat, uncharted territory for city officeholders who previously had not been … Continue reading →

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Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Paxton appeals process to play out

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Better settle in and get comfy, because this could take awhile. An appeal by Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is seeking to dismiss charges that he violated state securities laws, will extend at least into spring, with a strong chance … Continue reading →

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Interview with Angelique Bartholomew

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As noted, three-term Rep. Ron Reynolds has drawn three challengers in HD27. You’re aware of Rep. Reynolds’ recent issues, and he is aware of what I have said about him here. As such, he declined to be interviewed. You can … Continue reading →

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Under the Dome

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The latest plan to save the Dome takes a step forward. Harris County Commissioners Court moved forward on Tuesday with one piece of the Astrodome revival that needs to happen whether or not the park plan is achieved, according to … Continue reading →

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Paxton takes another shot at Syrian refugees

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Whatever. In the latest controversy over Syrians seeking refuge in Texas, the state’s top lawyer on Tuesday again asked a federal judge to halt the resettlement of people fleeing the war-torn country. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told a U.S. … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of January 25

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes everyone stays safe in the snow as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Endorsement watch: Dudley and Sullivan

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes its endorsements in the Tax Assessor primaries. It is the time of year when the Harris County tax assessor-collector gains sudden prominence: Jan. 31 is the due date to pay property taxes, and Feb. 1 is the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Steve Brown

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

While HD137 is the only Democratic legislative primary in Harris County that features an incumbent and a serious opponent, it’s not the only one in the greater area. Over in Fort Bend, three-term Rep. Ron Reynolds has drawn three challengers … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Randy Roll

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Every investigation on Planned Parenthood has cleared them

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From Think Progress: After a months-long investigation, a Texas grand jury decided not to indict Planned Parenthood on Monday — providing more confirmation that there’s no solid evidence to support the accusations against the national women’s health organization. This trend … Continue reading →

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MALDEF sues over provision of border bill

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Worth watching. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or MALDEF, filed suit Sunday against Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and the Texas Public Safety Commission, which oversees the DPS. The group alleges … Continue reading →

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Interview with Edward Pollard

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Four Democratic legislators in Harris County have drawn primary challengers this year. Three of them – Reps. Alma Allen, Jessica Farrar, and Hubert Vo – drew opponents who filed at the last minute. None of their challengers can be described … Continue reading →

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Grand jury indicts Planned Parenthood video fraudsters

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Sweet. A Harris County grand jury investigating allegations that a Planned Parenthood clinic in Houston illegally sold the tissue of aborted fetuses has cleared the organization of wrongdoing and instead indicted two anti-abortion activists behind the undercover videos that sparked … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of Sheriff primaries

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

No, it’s not 2008, though there are a couple of superficial similarities. On paper, Ed Gonzalez is a near-replica of former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. The Latino Democrats served in the Houston Police Department and represented the same district … Continue reading →

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So what happened to One Bin for All?

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

KUHF asks the question. It has been almost three years since the city won a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for the One Bin For All concept, which would let Houstonians throw all their waste in one bin, to … Continue reading →

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Interview with Rep. Gene Wu

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We turn now to legislative races, where there are a couple of open seats and a couple of challenged incumbents to keep an eye on. State Rep. Gene Wu is in his second term, having won a four-way primary in … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Kristen Hawkins

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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If the Republicans want to pretend that sanctuary cities exist, they can pretend to do something about it

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That’s my takeaway from this. At a Senate committee meeting on “sanctuary cities” on Friday, Texas lawmakers strongly disagreed on the prospect of passing legislation that would penalize local law enforcement entities for not complying with federal immigration policies. At … Continue reading →

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Chron calls on Paxton to step down

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle’s editorial board would like for Ken Paxton to get the hell out of Dodge already. Like any other defendant, the state’s chief legal and law-enforcement officer deserves the presumption of innocence. At the same time, the people of … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for January 24

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

“This is such an ancient trope — crazy scientists doing outrageous experiments with money you could be investing in my uranium mine — that I wonder if anyone actually falls for it.” The next ice age may be a little … Continue reading →

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More Commissioner hopefuls make themselves known

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The race is on. With former city attorney Gene Locke in place to finish the late Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee’s term, Democratic players are quickly emerging as candidates in the November general election. State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, … Continue reading →

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