Monthly Archives: November 2018

The case against Beto (and Julian) for President

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From Chris Hooks: Democrats, taking advantage of the president’s unpopularity, stand a chance of winning control of more state legislatures in 2020 and building the foundations of their party, just as Republicans did in 2010. It’s a great opportunity, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Cattanach concedes in HD108

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Thus endeth the recount. Democrat Joanna Cattanach conceded Thursday afternoon to Republican state Rep. Morgan Meyer of Dallas, closing out the last recount requested by a candidate after this year’s midterm election. “After several days of continued counting and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TEA offers to lend HISD a hand

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Could be a decent deal. A top Texas Education Agency official offered Tuesday to intensively work with Houston ISD’s much-maligned school board to dramatically overhaul its approach to governance, shifting focus toward student outcomes and away from distracting personal agendas. … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Precinct analysis: Straight ticket voting by State Rep district

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As advertised: Dist Str R Str D Str L Turnout Str R% Str D% Str L% Total ===================================================================== HD126 24,093 19,491 269 56,336 42.77% 34.60% 0.48% 77.84% HD127 34,178 19,157 312 69,198 49.39% 27.68% 0.45% 77.53% HD128 29,034 12,583 221 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The legal option for Prop B

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Mayor Sylvester Turner will ask Houston city council Wednesday to hire a law firm to advise the city on possible litigation related to the firefighter pay parity measure, setting in motion a potential court challenge to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

More floodplain buyouts

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Gonna keep seeing more of these. Fifteen months after Hurricane Harvey flooded more than 200,000 area homes and apartments, Harris County has begun purchasing homes in the floodplain using funds voters overwhelmingly approved in this summer’s $2.5 billion flood infrastructure … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 26

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance spent the weekend raking forest floors, but still had the time to put together this roundup for you. Off the Kuff analyzed Beto O’Rourke’s performance in Harris County. SocraticGadfly takes note that Thanksgiving Day was Nov. … Continue reading →

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Still more about straight ticket voting

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

And I’m still complaining about how the subject is being approached and discussed. Fewer than half of Texans voted straight ticket in 1998, according to research by Austin Community College political scientist Stefan Haag, but that has jumped to close … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Someone other than me notices CD24

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The closest race no one was paying attention to. Last week’s midterm elections showed that the Texas electorate is changing dramatically, and even Republicans who survived found themselves with surprisingly close calls after coasting to reelection for years. One U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

More Metro regional transit plan meetings planned

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

There’s more to talk about now. After gathering input over the past year on how to expand public transportation in the region, METRO says it will soon hold another series of meetings to see what people think of their draft Regional Transit Plan. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On straight tickets and other votes

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have and will continue to have more to say about straight ticket votes. Part of me is reluctant to talk about this stuff, because I feel like we’ve reached a point where straight ticket votes are seen as less … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

HD108 recount begins

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I believe this is the last un-conceded race. The recount for an extremely tight Dallas County race between incumbent Republican Morgan Meyer and Democratic challenger Joanna Cattanach will begin Tuesday. “We appreciate all of the notes of support and emails, … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: For Alvarado in the special

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron does its thing one more time. Of the four names on the ballot [in the SD06 special election], two stand out as qualified and impressive candidates: state Rep. Carol Alvarado and state Rep. Ana Hernandez. We endorse Alvarado. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

So you want to run for something in 2020

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You’re an ambitious Democrat in Harris County. You saw what happened these last two elections, and you think it’s your time to step up and run for office. What are your options that don’t involved primarying a Democratic incumbent? 1. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Early voting begins today for the SD06 special election

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Early Voting for the Texas State Senate District 6 Special Election to Fill a Vacancy begins Monday, November 26 and ends Friday, December 7.  During the twelve day Early Voting period, nine locations will be available to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

RIP, Ray Hill

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We have lost an icon. Ray Hill was in the cross hairs, and if the Louisiana hitmen actually showed up in Houston to rub him out, he wanted the media to be wise to what had happened. Hill breathlessly related … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for November 25

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

“If there was one main negative takeaway from the raging fires of food tourist culture and the lists fanning the flames, it was that the people crowding the restaurant were one time customers. They were there to check off a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

On straight tickets and undervotes

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, straight ticket voting in Texas is now officially a thing of the past. It will not be an option in 2020, the next time there will be partisan elections. Thanks to the success of Democratic candidates in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The history of SOB laws in Houston

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From strip clubs to robot brothels, we’ve come a long way. Somewhat sheepishly, the city official tried to explain why he had spent more than $2,000 in public funds entertaining out-of-town clients at a topless bar. “They wanted to go … Continue reading →

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RIP, Bob McNair

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Texans owner has passed away. The death of Texans owner and founder Bob McNair rocked the NFL, the city of Houston and his players and coaches Friday, sparking rich remembrances of his life and legacy. McNair was 81 … Continue reading →

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Yes, we’re already looking ahead to 2020

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Close races one year fuel speculation about the next. Much of the immediate speculation about 2020 in Texas has centered on O’Rourke, who was being discussed as a potential presidential candidate even before he reached the finish line in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HISD still trying to figure out what to do with the four schools that didn’t meet standards

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Don’t take too long on this. After months with little public discussion about whether to temporarily surrender control over four long-struggling schools, Houston ISD officials are expected to start ramping up talks about any such plans as state-mandated deadlines quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Beer for dogs

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We live in strange but wondrous times. When Megan and Steve Long tell friends and customers about their newest venture, Good Boy Dog Beer, more often than not, they’re met with the same three questions. One: Is it really for … Continue reading →

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AG rules Confederate plaque can be removed

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s get a move on then. The Texas Legislature or a state board chaired by Gov. Greg Abbott can remove a plaque in the Capitol honoring Confederates, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a published opinion Wednesday, providing clarity to a longstanding question … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Non-partisan judicial elections are not the answer

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

With respect, I disagree. Most of us are proud we voted, yet most of us abdicated our voting power when it came to electing judges. Our trial and appellate judges oversee our Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Amendment rights … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

CCA may have killed the Paxton prosecution

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. Just, ugh. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday potentially imperiled the long-delayed criminal prosecution of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, ruling that payments to special prosecutors were outside legal limits. If they cannot get paid, the prosecutors … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The decline and fall of the Republican Party in Harris County

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It can be summed up in this table: Dist Romney Trump Cruz =========================== HD126 62.1% 53.0% 51.5% HD127 69.2% 61.2% 59.5% HD128 72.4% 68.2% 66.8% HD129 64.5% 55.3% 54.0% HD130 75.9% 68.1% 66.0% HD132 58.9% 50.0% 47.9% HD133 68.1% 54.5% … Continue reading →

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

Metro’s autonomous vehicle pilot to start in January

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here it comes, TSU. Last spring, METRO announced a plan to run an autonomous bus along TSU’s Tiger Walk, a shared-use path that cuts across the campus. Now, the transit agency said it will start a pilot program in January. METRO CEO Tom … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Candidate Forum for Senate District 6

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The special election is set for SD06, for December 11. Four candidates have filed for the seat, and early voting begins this Monday, November 26. That’s not a lot of time to hear from the hopefuls, so those of you … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of November 19

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Precinct analysis: The two key CDs

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I want to break out of my usual precinct analysis posts to focus on the two big Congressional districts that were held by Republicans going into this election and are entirely within Harris County, CD02 and CD07. CD07 Candidate Votes … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ortiz Jones concedes in CD23

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Thus endeth that race. Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones conceded Monday in her challenge to U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, ensuring a third term for Hurd in his perennial battleground district. “While we came up short this time, we ran a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Hall of Fame 2019 ballot

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s that time of year again. The most dominant reliever in baseball history is among those with a chance to make it to Cooperstown next summer. Mariano Rivera leads the newcomers to the ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Precinct analysis: Beto does Harris County

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

He won pretty much everywhere you looked. So let’s look at the numbers: Dist Cruz Beto Dike Cruz% Beto% Trump% Clint% ============================================================= CD02 132,390 129,160 2,047 50.22% 49.00% 52.38% 43.05% CD07 112,078 129,781 1,843 45.99% 53.25% 47.11% 48.47% CD08 17,552 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments