Monthly Archives: February 2018

Judicial Q&A: Cory Sepolio

Posted on February 20, 2018 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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UT/TT poll: Trump approval more or less the same as before

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

A tad bit more positive than last time, but still nothing to write home about. With the usual disclaimers about partisan imbalance, President Donald Trump’s job approval ratings are holding steady, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: A veritable plethora, part 1

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Whoa, all of a sudden the Chron is chock full of endorsements. Let’s run through ’em. Actually, let’s start to run through them. So many appeared all at once that I’m going to need to break this into more than … Continue reading →

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Interview with Undrai Fizer

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Hard to believe, but the political version of spring training is almost over and the real season is about to begin, by which I mean early voting kicks off tomorrow. Barring any late additions, I have two more interviews to … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Latosha Lewis Payne

Posted on February 19, 2018 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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Early voting for 2018 primaries starts tomorrow

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Are you ready to vote? Wait, let me say that again. ARE YOU READY TO VOTE? When and where can you vote early? Early voting runs Tuesday, Feb. 20 to Friday, March 2. You can vote at any of the … Continue reading →

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Metro to buy buses for Uptown BRT

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Another step forward. Metro officials next week are set to spend at least $11.2 million on buses for bus rapid transit service along Post Oak, committing the agency to spending on the controversial project after years of discussion. Metropolitan Transit … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for February 18

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

A filter for assholes would really improve Twitter. It would really improve real life, too, though that may be a bit much to ask. Three words: Mutant crayfish clones. You’re welcome. Goddammit, Alamo Drafthouse. You needed to be better than … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 4 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Beth Barron

Posted on February 18, 2018 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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The latest report on city finances

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

A little light reading for you. Even after Mayor Sylvester Turner’s landmark pension reforms, the city of Houston is on pace to spend $1 billion more than it will take in over the coming decade, and must cut spending and … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

The Land Office in the news

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Please enjoy this coverage of a downballot statewide race, which is not something we get all that much of. Incumbent George P. Bush, the 41-year-old grandson and nephew of U.S. presidents, is facing off against his outspoken predecessor Jerry Patterson, … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Close choices

Posted on February 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses on both sides in SD17. Republican State Senator, District 17: Joan Huffman State Sen. Joan Huffman has been on board for some pretty bad bills, but it’s hard to overlook her herculean efforts to resolve the city … Continue reading →

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Already projecting ahead to November turnout

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Some in the political chattering class think the end results in Harris County this yearwon’t be all that different than what we’ve seen before. Harris County may be awash in Democratic hopefuls for the upcoming primary elections, but don’t expect … Continue reading →

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Will we ever get an Ike Dike?

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We will when it gets funded. When might it get funded? Ummm… If the Houston-Galveston region continues to boom for the next 60 years and sea level rises as scientists predict, a direct hit to Galveston from a massive hurricane … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Getting into the county

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron goes all in on county races, where they had not spent much time before. Two editorials, with two endorsements per, starting with Commissioners Court. County Commissioner, Precinct 2: Adrian Garcia While we lament that he ever stepped down … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten – Dancing as fast as I can

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We should be dancing. Just, you know, not where anyone can see us. 1. Dancin’ Shoes – Rachael Davis 2. Dancing Barefoot – U2 3. Dancing In Isolation – Terri Nunn 4. Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen/Big Daddy … Continue reading →

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Interview with Gina Calanni

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We wrap up the week in HD132, in the westernmost part of Harris County, including the Katy area. Democrats have not usually challenged in this district – going back to the 2001 redistricting, there has been a Democratic candidate in … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: James Horwitz

Posted on February 16, 2018 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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Fifth Circuit largely upholds bail practices ruling

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The 26-page opinion by Judge Edith Brown Clement affirms the majority of Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal’s landmark ruling, including her finding that the county’s bail policies violated the due process and equal protection clauses of the … Continue reading →

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Lawsuit over how judges are elected statewide goes to trial

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, remember that lawsuit that argued that statewide elections of judges was discriminatory against Latinos? The case is being heard in court this week. El Paso lawyer Carmen Rodriguez and Juanita Valdez-Cox, a community organizer in the Rio Grande Valley, … Continue reading →

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Interview with Marty Schexnayder

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We come for a return engagement in HD133. For all the legitimate issues in our state and around the country with gerrymandering, HD133 is fairly close to a plain old rectangle, bordered by I-10 to the north, Westheimer to the … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Ray Shackelford

Posted on February 15, 2018 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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So where are we on Harvey response?

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Stuff is happening. Local and state leaders are moving toward a major, lengthy and costly overhaul of the region’s flood defenses that includes regulating development, massive buyouts of flood-prone properties and flood-prevention projects that have been discussed for decades but never built. Few of the … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of February 12

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance reminds everyone that early voting for the primaries begins next week as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Endorsement watch: Congresspalooza

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron

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Interview with Sandra Moore

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From HD138 we move to its southern neighbor, HD133. Covering territory from the Galleria area to the Westchase District, it’s solid Republican area but with a significant crossover swing to Hillary Clinton in 2016; she lost HD133 by a 54-40 … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Barbara Stalder

Posted on February 14, 2018 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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County approves Astrodome plan

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Like it or not, here it comes. Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with the final design and construction of a $105 million project to transform the cherished piece of Houston’s sporting history into what officials … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Endorsement watch: Republican roundup

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes a conventional choice in CD02. Poe’s vacancy has attracted nine contenders in the Republican primary, and we encourage voters to look for a candidate who will aspire to embody the party’s values while also striving to represent … Continue reading →

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Interview with Jenifer Pool

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We return to HD138 today. This is a district that has been held by Rep. Dwayne Bohac since 2002 but was carried by a tiny margin by Hillary Clinton on 2016, thus putting it high on the target list for … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: David Fleischer

Posted on February 13, 2018 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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Cruz’s concerns about November

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Take this for what it’s worth. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is preparing Texas Republicans for a turbulent election year amid super-charged Democratic enthusiasm — including in his own re-election campaign. Traveling the state for GOP events this weekend, Cruz portrayed … Continue reading →

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Julian 2020 still in the works

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

He says he’s still thinking about it, but I’m guessing it’s a “yes unless something unexpected happens” situation. In an interview this week, former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro gave the strongest indication yet that he’s interested in running for … Continue reading →

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Interview with Adam Milasincic

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We are officially in the home stretch of primary season. Early voting starts eight days – eight days! – from today. Between now and then I will be bringing you interviews from the contested State Rep primaries in Harris County. … Continue reading →

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