Monthly Archives: October 2017

SOS halted from handing over voter info

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A Texas district judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos from handing voter information to President Donald Trump’s voter fraud investigation commission. The order, which came out Tuesday, adds Texas to a … Continue reading →

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Pasadena City Council approves settlement in redistricting case

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

It’s over. The Pasadena City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a $1.1 million settlement agreement of a lawsuit challenging a city voting plan that a federal judge found diluted Latino voting influence. Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler said that after … Continue reading →

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Paxton trial delayed again

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This will happen some day. I hope. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s trial has been put off for a third time. The judge in the securities fraud case against Paxton sided Wednesday with prosecutors who had been pushing for another trial … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of October 2

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance again urges our government to take utmost care of our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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SCOTUS takes up partisan gerrymandering

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

So much coverage on this potentially ground-breaking and earth-shaking case. Here’s the Washington Post: Opponents of political gerrymandering had reason for optimism at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, with Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the likely swing vote, appearing more in … Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit hears bail lawsuit arguments

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Big day in court. Amid a stream of pointed questions from the bench, lawyers for Harris County Tuesday asked panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to toss a lower court ruling that the county’s criminal justice system … Continue reading →

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HFD and disaster preparedness

Posted on October 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a lot here to think about, and to do something about. The Houston Fire Department’s limitations quickly became clear as Harvey’s floodwaters rose. Just one high-water rescue vehicle. Decades-old evacuation boats. Sparse training for swift-water rescues. And limited staffing … Continue reading →

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Interview with Robert Lundin

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I have one more interview to bring you in HISD Trustee District VI, where longtime Trustee Greg Meyers stepped down last November and Holly Flynn Vilaseca was appointed to fill out the remainder of his term. Robert Lundin is a … Continue reading →

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You don’t have to attend those tax rate hearings now

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

They’re not a thing any more. Mayor Sylvester Turner on Friday said he would withdraw a proposed property tax rate hike after Gov. Greg Abbott handed him a check for $50 million to help fund the city’s recovery from Hurricane Harvey. That also … Continue reading →

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Lawsuit filed over untested rape kits

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This could be a big deal. A former Houston woman is suing the City of Houston and a long list of current and former mayors and police chiefs for failing to investigate a backlog of more than 6,000 untested rape … Continue reading →

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Interview with Holly Flynn Vilaseca

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We turn now to HISD District VI, where longtime Trustee Greg Meyers resigned last year. Holly Flynn Vilaseca was selected by the remaining Trustees to fill out the last year of Meyers’ term, and now she seeks election to a … Continue reading →

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Trump nominates two to the Fifth Circuit

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is why Republicans put aside their doubts to vote for Trump, and it’s why they stick with him. This is the prize they kept their eyes on, and it’s paying off for them bigtime. President Donald Trump on Thursday … Continue reading →

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DA’s office ends trace case prosecutions

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg has stopped prosecuting thousands of so-called trace drug cases, which typically stem from glass pipes seized from users containing little more than residue of crack cocaine, officials said Thursday. The recent change means … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for October 1

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Sabrina, the Gritty Reboot, next on The CW. “For the first time in over 60 years, Brigham Young University will sell caffeinated soft drinks on campus.” “Artificial Colors are Back in Trix Because Nobody Liked Natural Ingredients”. Equifax sends an … Continue reading →

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Pasadena will settle voting rights case

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Excellent news. Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner on Friday asked the City Council to settle a voting rights lawsuit that led to national portrayals of the Houston suburb as an example of efforts to suppress Latino voting rights. The proposed settlement … Continue reading →

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So were we targeted by Russian hackers or not?

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Depends who you ask, I guess. A top state official is pushing back against the federal government’s claim that Texas was among states whose election systems were targeted by Russian hackers ahead of the 2016 presidential election. “At no point … Continue reading →

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We’re going to need another jury building

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck with that. Harris County is unlikely to repair Hurricane Harvey flood damage to the six-year-old, $13 million jury Assembly Building that sits beneath a park in downtown Houston’s courthouse square near Buffalo Bayou, County Judge Ed Emmett said … Continue reading →

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