Monthly Archives: May 2016

The Sheriff and Lord High Executioner of Edwards County

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

In case you haven’t already, you really need to read this: The first thing she noticed was Sheriff Pamela Elliott standing across the street. It was an August evening in 2014, and Rachel Gallegos had just gotten home for a … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for May 22

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, John Stewart doesn’t think much of the coverage of this Presidential campaign. “People who think that important legislation gets passed by presidents making opening bids far outside the expected negotiating space have no idea how presidential power works. (And, … Continue reading →

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Final runoff early voting numbers

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Here are your final early voting numbers for the Republican and Democratic primary runoffs in Harris County. Note that in both cases, mail ballots have accounted for the majority of the total so far: On the Dem side, there have … Continue reading →

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Full DC Circuit Court to review Clean Power Plan

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From ThinkProgress, an update on yet another federal lawsuit involving Texas. The Clean Power Plan will get its day in court, but in September, not June — and by the full en banc D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, not the … Continue reading →

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What, me worry?

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ken Paxton? Sid Miller? Meh, no big deal. Gov. Greg Abbott is steering clear of the legal problems swirling around two of his fellow Republican statewide officials, saying he does not know the facts of their cases and expressing little … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Jump

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It was the year 1984, the year Van Halen gave us this: Albums like 1984 hghlight a problem with our streaming-and-downloads music market these days. Back then, when men with hair like David Lee Roth strutted on the earth, bands … Continue reading →

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Lawsuit filed over Harris County bail practices

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This could be a big deal. An advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., challenged Harris County’s bail system on Thursday, arguing in a federal civil rights lawsuit that hundreds of offenders are unlawfully jailed for minor offenses like trespassing and … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

The latest good news/bad news on Texas uninsured numbers

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good news: Texas’ percentage of uninsured residents continues to drop. Bad news: It’s still higher than what the national average was in 2010, the year before the Affordable Care Act was passed. The percentage of Texans without insurance has dropped … Continue reading →

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San Antonio to re-revisit its rideshare requirements

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Just when you thought it was all over… With Transportation Network Company (TNC) tension looming from Austin and Houston, the City of San Antonio is preparing its push to renegotiate with ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft. And one … Continue reading →

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Making the Heights a little less dry

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From Swamplot: A GROUP CALLED the Houston Heights Beverage Coalition PAC is hoping to bring about a vote on allowing beer and wine sales in the technically dry section of the Houston Heights. The group published a notice on May 5th announcing an application to the city to … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: In the city, part 11

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Still more New York! And other places, too. 1. Pflugerville – Austin Lounge Lizards 2. Philadelphia Freedom – Hall and Oates 3. Phoenix Get Cured – Stereogum vs team9 4. Phone Call From Leavenworth – Chris Whitley 5. Riga In … Continue reading →

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Locke calls for jail administrator

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Some strong words from Precinct 1 Commissioner Gene Locke. Harris County Commissioner Gene L. Locke on Tuesday demanded that a certified jail administrator be hired after learning that four Harris County inmates have died after being assaulted by other inmates … Continue reading →

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Paxton opines on Syrian refugees

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Whatever. Attorney General Ken Paxton sought Tuesday to bolster the state’s thus-far unsuccessful efforts to prevent Syrian refugees from resettling in Texas by issuing a legal opinion that stresses the state’s rights in the matter. His opinion, which doesn’t carry … Continue reading →

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Board of Disciplinary Appeals suspends Rep. Reynolds’ law license

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

More bad news. Convicted of five misdemeanor counts of illegally soliciting clients to his personal injury law practice, state Rep. Ron Reynolds is now without a license to practice law. As Reynolds appeals his convictions, the Texas Supreme Court’s Board … Continue reading →

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Last day of early voting is today

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting for the primary runoffs is going on right now, but today is the last day for it. See here for the locations – the time is 7 AM to 7 PM – and take advantage of your last … Continue reading →

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Paxton asks the feds if they’re sure about that bathroom thing

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Just checking, I’m sure. Will public schools really lose federal education funding if they refuse to comply with a new Obama administration directive regarding transgender students? That’s the basic query posed by top lawyers from Texas, Oklahoma and West Virginia … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, School days | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Turner reiterates the need to rethink transportation

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

New audience, same theme. Houston’s transportation future – and perhaps its economic vitality – relies on more options than new freeway lanes to make room for more cars, Mayor Sylvester Turner said Tuesday. “The solution is to increasingly take advantage … Continue reading →

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High speed rail opponents pick up another Congressional ally

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome aboard, Smokey Joe. In a filing with the Surface Transportation Board, North Texas Congressman Joe Barton (R) Arlington has come out against a high speed rail project between Dallas and Houston. Barton, whose district encompasses parts of Tarrant County … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of May 16

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance would like for everyone to be able to pee in peace as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Abbott comments on Austin rideshare referendum

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Sort of. Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday the fight is not finished when it comes to regulations in Austin that have driven ride-hailing companies out of the state capital. “The issue’s not over,” Abbott said in an interview on CNBC. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

TEA Commissioner has no opinion yet on federal transgender bathroom directive

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Noted for the record. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Tuesday praised the state Supreme Court’s recent opinion upholding the state’s public school funding system and demurred on questions about bathroom use by transgender students. “Last time I checked, it … Continue reading →

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Trash subsidy will not be trashed

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: After weighing the budgetary impact and obtaining input from City Council, Mayor Sylvester Turner has decided not to pursue elimination of subsidies to homeowners associations that opt out of City trash collection services. Under the program, which … Continue reading →

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

HISD finishes renaming schools

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From last week: Eight names that have adorned Houston school buildings, uniforms and yearbooks for decades will vanish next year after trustees came together Thursday to approve new ones without Confederate ties. The renaming decisions followed months of controversy that … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

No indies

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Not in Texas and not for President, anyway. [Last] Monday was the deadline for independent candidates for president to get on the ballot in Texas. Nobody showed up. The Texas Secretary of State’s office, which administers elections, closed its doors … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

SCOTUS punts on birth control lawsuit

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. Zubik v. Burwell was supposed to be an epic showdown over the power of religious objectors to limit the rights of others. A sequel to the Court’s 2014 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, Zubik involved regulations expanding women’s access … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Overview of the Harris County GOP Chair runoff

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This is the Republican runoff I’m most interested in. Two years after wresting control of the Harris County Republican Party, Paul Simpson is facing an unexpected runoff challenge from political newcomer Rick Ramos in a race that again pits establishment … Continue reading →

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Lawsuit filed over Uber/Lyft referendum language

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, for crying out loud. Attorney Martin Harry filed a lawsuit — a draft of it was obtained by the American-Statesman — in Travis County state district court late Tuesday contesting the election’s outcome, alleging that the city violated election … Continue reading →

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Early voting for primary runoffs begins today

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: “The Primary election season is not over. There are several important races that remain to be decided by voters, locally and statewide,” stated Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart whilereminding voters that the Early Voting period for the … Continue reading →

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Patman shares her vision for Metro

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I like what I’m hearing from new Metro Board Chair Carrin Patman. A regional transportation plan is critical, Patman said, because it allows everyone to establish what transit and transportation officials should be doing. Everyone, including counties and cities not … Continue reading →

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Texas tobacco litigation, 20 years later

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting look at something I don’t think about very much. Twenty years ago, then-Texas Attorney General Dan Morales filed a federal lawsuit accusing the tobacco industry of racketeering and fraud. He said the case would make Big Tobacco change how … Continue reading →

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We’re going to get more big rain storms

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Better get used to it. The weather is getting worse, says one expert. Torrential rains fall in the Houston area more often than they used to, according to an unpublished analysis from state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon. Heavy precipitation of any … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for May 15

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

“The 500-euro note, the bill of choice for many criminals looking to transfer large amounts of money without the authorities knowing, is being eliminated.” “Among all these classes of professionals, all these institutions, that whole superstructure of US politics built … Continue reading →

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Federal action on schools accommodating transgender bathroom use

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Glad to see this. The Obama administration is planning to issue a sweeping directive telling every public school district in the country to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity. A letter to school districts … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Harris County crime lab experiencing DNA testing backlog

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

These things do happen. Expanded testing for property crimes has helped create a backlog of more than 4,600 DNA cases in the Harris County crime lab, straining its ability to complete the processing of such evidence for sexual assaults and … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments