Monthly Archives: November 2017

Texas v the feds, disaster recovery funding edition

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This would be quite entertaining to watch, if the stakes weren’t so high. Texas Republicans on Friday panned the White House’s latest disaster aid request, with Gov. Greg Abbott calling it “completely inadequate” for the state’s needs in the wake … Continue reading →

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Hockey for Houston (again)?

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

It could happen. It’s early, the initial talks have only been exploratory and Mike D’Antoni doesn’t have to worry about slipping on the hardwood any time soon. But I can tell you this: [Tilman] Fertitta and Co. are interested if … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Weekend link dump for November 19

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

“The massive asteroid that slammed into Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs might never have triggered a mass extinction had it struck almost any other part of the planet, scientists claim.” “In a dramatic intellectual turnabout, most archaeologists and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

PPP polls show “generic Dem” winning in CDs 07 and 32

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Via Daily Kos, Public Policy Polling sampled a number of targeted Congressional districts for 2018, including two in Texas, and the results are encouraging, to say the least. TX-07 In Texas’ 7th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Congressman John Culberson has … Continue reading →

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It’s about the domestic violence

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

You want to do something to reduce gun violence, here’s the place to start. Domestic violence cases have risen sharply across the state, with more than 210,000 wives, girlfriends, husbands and others suffering death or injury at the hands of … Continue reading →

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

Buffalo Bayou Brewing to build new facility

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We remain in a craft beer renaissance. Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co., which launched nearly six years ago with a beer called 1836 honoring the date of Houston’s founding, is preparing to break ground on a $14 million brewery and restaurant … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Snakedance

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the terrific Texas trio of Marcia Ball, Angela Strehli, and Lou Ann Barton: There’s live footage of one televised concert they did off this album, but none I could find featuring this song. Here’s a live version of Marcia … Continue reading →

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Three against Ted

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Getting crowded in that GOP Senate primary. Bruce Jacobson, a Christian TV executive from North Richland Hills, announced Thursday that he is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2018. In a video, Jacobson said he’s “ready to serve my state … Continue reading →

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Harris County sues Arkema

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County filed suit Thursday against Arkema over chemical fires at its Crosby plant in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, saying the company violated a long list of environmental, safety and building regulations and put first responders at risk. … Continue reading →

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The Modern Era Hall of Fame ballot

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A little bonus baseball content as we head into the long, dark off-season. Nine former big league players and one executive comprise the 10-name Modern Baseball Era ballot to be reviewed and voted upon Dec. 10 at the Baseball Winter … Continue reading →

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Republicans really are worried about 2018

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Some of them, anyway. In a private memo to Abbott’s aides, senior political adviser Dave Carney cautions that despite the fact that Texas is solid red in recent statewide voting patterns, suburban voters could pose significant problems for Republicans in … Continue reading →

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RIP, Steve Mostyn

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A terrible tragedy. Steve Mostyn, a top Democratic donor and prominent Houston trial lawyer, has died. He was 46. According to a statement released by his wife, Amber, Mostyn died Wednesday after “a sudden onset and battle with a mental … Continue reading →

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More Harveys

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Thanks, climate change. The extreme rains that inundated the Houston area during Hurricane Harvey were made more likely by climate change, a new study suggests, adding that such extreme flooding events will only become more frequent as the globe continues … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Blue bayou, part 2

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Oh God, is it Friday already? Thankfully I’m in the middle of a multi-list theme. 1. Blue Lou – Benny Carter 2. Blue Moon – The Marcels 3. Blue Moon Of Kentucky – Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys 4. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The potential Sylvia effect

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, Rep. Gene Green is retiring, and as we also know, Sen. Sylvia Garcia is one of the contenders to succeed him. As noted before, this is a free shot for Garcia, as she would not otherwise be … Continue reading →

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TAB wants the Lege to quit it with bathroom bills

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The talk is good. We’ll see about the action. Texas lawmakers spent too much time this year debating bathrooms and immigration, and took their eyes off some matters vital to economic growth, such as phasing out the business-franchise tax and … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Concerns about the Census

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We need to pay attention to this. Latino leaders are warning of a developing crisis in the 2020 census and demanding that the Census Bureau act aggressively to calm fears in immigrant populations about data misuse. Citing focus groups and … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of November 13

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes that the victories won by a broad and diverse slate of progressive candidates around the country last Tuesday is the start of something big as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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The Lege needs a sexual harassment process

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is unacceptable. As sexual misconduct accusations pile up against men in power across the country, interviews with more than two dozen current and former lawmakers and legislative aides indicate sexual harassment not only is pervasive at the Texas Capitol … Continue reading →

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Who’s in for CD29?

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Start your engines, y’all. State Sen. Sylvia Garcia and state Rep. Armando Walle threw their hats in the ring Tuesday to represent the district that covers much of eastern Houston and part of Pasadena. State Rep. Carol Alvarado, meanwhile considering … Continue reading →

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At some point we will be able to stop talking about who may run for Governor as a Democrat

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

That day is December 11. I am looking forward to it. With less than a month before the filing deadline, the most prominent declared candidate for Texas governor is probably Andrew White, the son of former governor Mark White. White, … Continue reading →

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Opinions differ about Congressional prospects

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I’m gonna boil this one down a bit. Moments before the polls closed in Virginia’s Democratic sweep, Houston-area Republican Ted Poe, across the Potomac River on Capitol Hill, announced his retirement in 2018 after 14 years in Congress. Poe cast … Continue reading →

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Rep. Gene Green to retire

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I said there would be surprises. One of the two longest serving Democrats from Texas in the U.S. Congress won’t seek re-election. U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2018. Green was first … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Abbott v Davis

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

It’s getting real out there. In what promises to deepen divisions in the Texas Republican Party, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday endorsed a GOP challenger to incumbent state Rep. Sarah Davis of Houston. Abbott gave his public thumbs-up to Susanna … Continue reading →

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Filing season has begun

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Candidate filing season is now open, and it will run for a month, concluding at 6 PM on Monday, December 11. There will be a lot of activity this year – we are already aware of so many candidates – … Continue reading →

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About that lost evidence

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry about that. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has sent notices to lawyers in 10,000 closed criminal cases that evidence, which was kept in storage, may have been lost or destroyed between 2007 and 2016. The bulk of the … Continue reading →

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Dome bash planned

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars. Next year, Astrodome lovers will be able to once again take a gander at the stadium’s iconic roof before it embarks on its next adventure. During a mixer/meeting for friends and supporters of the Astrodome Conservancy, organizers … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

We will never stop widening our highways

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Eventually, everything will be used for extra highway capacity. For people in western Harris and Fort Bend counties, now is the time to sit down with your toddler and ask what kind of Interstate 10 they’d like to have. Texas … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for November 12

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

“What Happens When A Surrogate Unknowingly Gets Pregnant With Her Own Child At The Same Time She Is Pregnant With Someone Else’s Child?” How to design streets for people in an age of driverless cars. Using optical illusions as traffic-calming … Continue reading →

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Going beyond “thoughts and prayers”

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There are things we could do to reduce the prevalence of gun violence, if we wanted to. At a news conference organized by Texas Gun Sense at the state capitol on Wednesday, state Reps. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, and Nicole … Continue reading →

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Harvey-related good news and bad news

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. An additional $90 million was approved Thursday to help expedite debris removal from Hurricane Harvey along Texas’ devastated Gulf Coast regions, including Houston. Gov. Greg Abbott and House and Senate leaders announced that the additional “emergency funding” from … Continue reading →

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TX-07 Progressive Candidate Policy Forum

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

An event of interest for folks who will have a tough decision to make in March. TX-07 Progressive Candidate Policy Forum Hosted by Indivisible to Flip Texas District 7 Saturday, December 2 at 2 PM – 4 PM Cook Middle … Continue reading →

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What about Roy?

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Who wants to stand with this particular predator? Texas’ two U.S. senators found themselves under intense pressure Thursday after explosive allegations surfaced that a candidate both men have endorsed pursued underage teenage girls decades ago. The Washington Post is reporting … Continue reading →

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Second trimester abortion lawsuit hearings conclude

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Now we wait. In a five-day trial that concluded Wednesday, lawyers for the state defended part of a Texas law that bans the most common second-trimester abortion procedure unless the fetus is deceased. Abortion rights groups sued the state in … Continue reading →

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