Monthly Archives: June 2017

Help Metro figure out its Regional Transit Plan

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your chance to get involved and shape the direction of transit in the greater Houston area going forward. What is your vision for transit service in the Greater Houston region? METRO needs your help in creating a bold vision … Continue reading →

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We have a candidate in CD02

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Meet Todd Litton, the first declared Democratic candidate of which I am aware for CD02, which is entirely within Harris County and which is held by Rep. Ted Poe, who has been there since 2004. I don’t know much about … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of June 19

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance has a full load of scurrilous innuendo for you in this week’s roundup.

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When might the Supreme Court speak on the Houston term limits lawsuit?

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

So as you know there is an ongoing lawsuit over the language used in the 2015 referendum that altered the city’s term limits ordinance. It was filed shortly after the election, with the city winning the first round in district … Continue reading →

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Getting ready for the first SB4 hearing

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

All eyes are going to be on this next week. On Monday, June 26, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia will hear the City of San Antonio’s request for a preliminary injunction to block Senate Bill 4, the “sanctuary cities” law, … Continue reading →

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Ten best and worst 2017

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is always the most anticipated part of a legislative session. Around the Texas Capitol this year, it wasn’t unusual to hear the 85th Legislature described as the worst anyone could remember. While we wouldn’t go that far, this session … Continue reading →

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Public testimony on SB4

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

It was heated, as you might expect. Scores of residents urged City Council on Tuesday to challenge the state’s “sanctuary cities” ban, speaking during more than five hours of public testimony on the eve of council’s vote on whether to … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS takes on Wisconsin partisan gerrymandering case

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Monday’s big news. Partisan gerrymandering exists because the Supreme Court allows it to exist. Although such gerrymanders are a form a viewpoint discrimination, which violates the First Amendment, Republican appointees to the Supreme Court have been reluctant to even let … Continue reading →

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

Collier makes it official

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Mike Collier announces his entry into the race for Lt. Governor. Democrat Mike Collier officially announced his bid for the position in Round Rock Saturday afternoon. A large crowd of supporters came to the Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza to … Continue reading →

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Council may vote on joining SB4 litigation tomorrow

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

It will happen, though perhaps not tomorrow. Houston City Council is poised to vote [this] Wednesday on whether to join litigation challenging the constitutionality of Texas’ new “sanctuary cities” law, days before the case’s preliminary hearing in San Antonio. The … Continue reading →

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Two (so far) for SD10

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s what we learn in this Star-Telegram story about incumbent Sen. Konni Burton’s intent to run for re-election. At least two Democrats already have announced their intention to seek Burton’s seat. Allison Campolo, a research scientist and teaching assistant at … Continue reading →

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Paxton seeks to overturn all local bag ban laws

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

It’s up to the Supreme Court to decide whether he gets it or not. Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday filed paperwork urging the Texas Supreme Court to eliminate plastic bag bans across Texas, including Austin’s. Paxton is seeking for … Continue reading →

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Telemedicine set to expand in Texas

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Coming to a video screen near you, thanks to a bill signed in May by Greg Abbott. “This is a huge step forward, a real positive for Texas,” said Dr. Nancy Dickey, executive director of the Rural and Community Health … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for June 18

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Yet another thing Donald Trump has ruined for us. If Kansas was an experiment to see if “conservative” policies would work, it was a massive failure. I mean, a really massive failure. Maybe we should pay attention to that. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

An interesting shift in approval ratings for state leaders

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

More UT/Trib poll data: The figurative wrestling match between the state’s top three officials jiggled their approval ratings, but not by much, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Gov. Greg Abbott remains the highest rated of the … Continue reading →

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El Paso County Judge considering a run for Congress

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

She’s not running for re-election, so that seems the most likely next step. El Paso County Judge Veronica Escobar won’t seek re-election, she said Monday, adding she is exploring a run for Congress. “I am looking closely at the congressional … Continue reading →

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Former Stockman aide returns to US

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The gang’s all here. Federal agents quietly arrested Jason Posey, a former congressional aide who’d been wanted for two months on charges that he helped ex-U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman carry out a criminal conspiracy to bilk millionaire donors, violate elections … Continue reading →

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Yet another report about how much our voter ID law sucked

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Keep ’em coming. Hundreds were delayed from voting and others nearly turned away entirely during the presidential election because of confusion over the status Texas voter ID laws, a new report from a voting rights advocacy group shows. It’s just … Continue reading →

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Collin County would like us to pick up the Paxton prosecutor tab

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll bet they would. As Attorney General Ken Paxton’s legal troubles head into their third year, there’s another question aside from whether he’ll beat the rap — who will pay for it all? Taxpayers in Collin County, where Paxton was … Continue reading →

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We need better fire inspections

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Not good. The Houston Fire Department division responsible for ensuring building safety keeps inadequate records, does not examine buildings on a regular schedule and inflated its inspection numbers, all while exceeding its overtime budget, according to an audit released by … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten – Ain’t that a shame?

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Lacking new ideas, I’m going to do lists based on the first word of a set of songs. I think you’ll get the theme. 1. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Extreme Party Animals 2. Ain’t Gone ‘n’ Give Up … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Texas Republicans still mostly like Trump

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There are a few cracks in the surface, however. Most voters in the country’s biggest red state are wary of President Donald Trump — but Republican voters remain strongly supportive of him, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Signings and vetoes

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Greg Abbott does his thing. Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed 50 bills that were passed during the regular legislative session, his office announced Thursday. That’s several more than he vetoed following the last session and the most a governor has … Continue reading →

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The special session could get a little testy

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Sow a little discord, Joe. We approve. Speaking to educators Wednesday, House Speaker Joe Straus took some jabs at the Senate for focusing on a bill to regulate public bathroom use instead of putting more than a billion dollars into … Continue reading →

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Texas’ teen pregnancy rate is the result of bad policy choices

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the Rivard Report: In Texas each year, about 35,000 young women get pregnant before they turn 20. Traditionally, the two variables most commonly associated with high teen birth rates are education and poverty, but a new study, co-authored by … Continue reading →

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Greg Abbott’s war on trees

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is just bizarre. One of the 20 items Gov. Greg Abbott has asked lawmakers to consider during the upcoming special session, which will begin July 18, is outlawing local tree regulations. More than 50 cities and towns in Texas … Continue reading →

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There is always some risk

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I get the concern, but the alternative was unacceptable and now is illegal. Get used to it. More than 600 people charged with misdemeanors have been released since June 7 when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an emergency motion by … Continue reading →

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The Arizona experience

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is what Texas has to look forward to post-SB4. Seven years in, Arizona’s experience hints at what Texas, with the nation’s largest Hispanic population after California, might expect. Supporters of Arizona’s legislation say it has worked, helping to reduce … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of June 12

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance would like to see some thinkpieces analyzing the economic motives of Lord Buckethead voters as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Maybe we should be a little more concerned about election security?

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Just a thought. Russia’s cyberattack on the U.S. electoral system before Donald Trump’s election was far more widespread than has been publicly revealed, including incursions into voter databases and software systems in almost twice as many states as previously reported. … Continue reading →

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Paxton gets his new judge

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the Be Careful What You Wish For department: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has received a new judge in his securities fraud case. Harris County District Judge Robert Johnson’s court has been randomly assigned to the case, according to … Continue reading →

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The DPS two-step

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

First, there was this. Despite a two-year budget of $2.4 billion, the Texas Department of Public Safety, with little notice, has reduced office hours at 11 of the state’s busiest driver’s license offices and plans to lay off more than … Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit to hear AALDEF lawsuit appeal

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This happens today. Amid last-minute efforts to overhaul the state’s voter identification law in light of an ongoing legal fight, the Texas Legislature gaveled out without addressing another embattled election law that’s now moving forward in federal court. The U.S. … Continue reading →

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Bathroom bill or NFL draft?

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Back to some familiar questions as the special session looms. The Cowboys have made their pitch to host the NFL draft. Whether that occurs depends, in large part, on what happens in Austin this summer. NFL officials have no interest … Continue reading →

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