Monthly Archives: February 2016

Still more hyperloops

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

They had a hyperloop design contest at Texas A&M: In the end, Elon Musk couldn’t resist showing up to the competition he helped inspire. The billionaire SpaceX CEO made a surprise appearance at the end of the Hyperloop pod design … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: I Will Survive

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The all-time disco and karaoke classic, by Gloria Gaynor: How do I know this is a classic? It came up on the car player, and Olivia made me repeat it because she liked it. That’s how I know. Such a … Continue reading →

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The easily predicted results of de-funding Planned Parenthood have resulted as predicted

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Who’d a thunk it? A new study released Wednesday reports that after anti-abortion Texas lawmakers blocked Planned Parenthood from participating in the Texas Women’s Health Program (TWHP) in 2013, fewer low-income women received the most effective kinds of contraception. The study, … Continue reading →

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The Mayor’s education czar

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Former HISD Trustee Juliet Stipeche has joined the Turner administration. Mayor Sylvester Turner has named former Houston ISD board president Juliet Stipeche to a newly created Director of Education role in his administration, seeking greater collaboration between the city and … Continue reading →

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More on DNA mixtures

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Some good news here. Texas criminal justice organizations have begun reviewing thousands of cases that relied on an outdated method for calculating the odds that a particular person left DNA evidence at a crime scene. At issue are samples that … Continue reading →

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Another look at AirBnB

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. The hotel industry is starting to object. On Wednesday, a report funded by a national trade group claimed some Airbnb hosts function illegally and operate essentially as full-time hotels without the same health and safety oversight. It also says … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Dexter’s favorites

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We can’t take a tour through the favorite songs of Kuffner family members without including the family dog, can we? So here they are: 1. Walk This Way – Aerosmith 2. Cachorinho (Little Dog Chorinho) – Susanna Sharpe and Samba … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: JoAnn Storey

Posted on February 5, 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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Video fraudsters offered probation

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

First the one, on Wednesday. A California woman charged last week for her role in the production of undercover videos at a Houston Planned Parenthood clinic will be offered probation, a Harris County prosecutor said in court. Sandra Susan Merritt, … Continue reading →

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Collin County argues against anti-Paxton prosecutor lawsuit

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Reluctantly. [Collin County Commissioners] Court on Thursday urged a Dallas judge to drop a lawsuit seeking to block payment to the special prosecutors. The suit, filed in December by local real estate developer and Paxton donor Jeffory Blackard, should be … Continue reading →

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Sebesta appeals disbarment

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This saga that I thought was over still has another chapter in it. Lawyers for Charles Sebesta, the ex-prosecutor who secured the wrongful death sentence of Anthony Graves, told a panel of the State Bar of Texas on Friday that … Continue reading →

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Support Jessica Farrar

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From Andrea Greer: Last week, Senator John Whitmire addressed a crowd of supporters at a fundraiser for Representative Jessica Farrar. “Jessica, I’m here because until today, I gotta be honest,” he admitted, “I didn’t know you had a challenger.” Senator … Continue reading →

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State of the county 2016

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This year’s theme is cooperation and meeting challenges. In his ongoing effort to revive the Astrodome, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Tuesday proposed using the aging landmark for an outdoor light show when Houston hosts the Super Bowl next … Continue reading →

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Two more places that Uber won’t operate

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Goodbye, Galveston. Just days after the City Council passed an ordinance designed to regulate transportation networks, Uber has shut down its service in Galveston. Monday evening, people in Galveston who tried to use the phone app to order a ride … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of February 1

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is ready to be able to ignore Iowa again as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Endorsement watch: Succeeding Sylvester

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes its choice for HD139. We encourage Democratic Party voters to look for a candidate who will emulate Turner’s successful model of connecting constituents’ interests with the levers of state power in Austin. We believe that Kimberly Willis … Continue reading →

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Interview with Randy Bates

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We wrap up our series of interviews with candidates in HD139, the longtime office of now-Mayor Sylvester Turner. Today’s subject is attorney Randy Bates, founder and partner in a firm concentrating in public finance. Bates served for over 20 years … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Rabeea Collier

Posted on February 3, 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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HPD Chief McClelland to retire

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Mayor Sylvester Turner today announced that he has accepted the retirement of Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland, effective February 26, 2016. McClelland was sworn in as a police officer in September 1977. He rose through the ranks … Continue reading →

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Can you ever truly “fix” the 59/610 interchange?

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I kind of think the answer is “No”, but they’re going to try anyway. With Houston choking on traffic congestion from Clear Lake to Jersey Village, an infusion of $447 million in state funds promises relief sooner than expected at … Continue reading →

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Interview with Kimberly Willis

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As noted before, there are four candidates vying to succeed Mayor Sylvester Turner as State Representative in HD139. Kimberly Willis is a licensed social worker who earned her MSW at the University of Houston and is employed by the Harris … Continue reading →

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The most interesting statewide primary is for the Court of Criminal Appeals

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Too bad no one’s paying attention. When the first Republican ever elected to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided in 2013 to switch parties after 20 years on the bench, the move made national news. Now as the only … Continue reading →

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Once again, I spoke too soon about the Ethics Commission and Ken Paxton

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll be damned. The Texas Ethics Commission declined to pass an opinion that would have said it was okay for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to accept out-of-state gifts from donors to help pay the legal costs for his indictment. … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: What Brown can do for you

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron picks its favorite among the challengers in HD27. [Rep. Ron] Reynolds, a three-term incumbent, was named Freshman of the Year by the House Democratic Caucus at the end of the 2011 session; two years later he landed on … Continue reading →

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Interview with Jerry Ford, Jr

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

There is one Democratic-held open seat in Harris County, and that’s HD139, which has been vacated by now-Mayor Sylvester Turner. Four candidates are running to succeed Turner; I have interviews with three of them. First up is Jerry Ford, Jr, … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Shawna Reagin

Posted on February 1, 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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Exxon Mobil fighting its tax bill

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Of course they are. Exxon Mobil is fighting the Harris County Appraisal District over the $1.04 billion value placed on its sprawling new office complex in Spring, just south of The Woodlands. The oil giant, which has been guarded about … Continue reading →

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Chron story on the bus map tweaks

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

A few bits of interest here. Metro leaders hope more frequent service on popular routes will build on the ridership gains the system is experiencing. “I think as you get higher frequency and people know it is going to come, … Continue reading →

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