Monthly Archives: February 2020

Statesman overview of the statewide judicial races

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

It’s good to have a full slate of qualified candidates. After years of trouble scraping together enough candidates to run for seats on both statewide courts, Texas Democrats have the opposite situation in 2020 — contested primaries in almost every … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Statesman overview of the statewide judicial races

Resilient Houston

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

It’s good to have a plan. No traffic deaths on Houston streets, 4.6 million new trees, and no more homes in the floodway. All by 2030. Those are some of the lofty goals set in the master resiliency plan, “Resilient … Continue reading →

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

2020 Primary Early Voting, Day Two: In for the long haul

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s jump right in. Here’s the Day Two report for 2020, and here are the totals from 2012, 2016, and 2018. As of Day One from those years : Year Mail Early Total ============================== 2012 5,100 3,035 8,135 2016 7,191 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 2020 Primary Early Voting, Day Two: In for the long haul

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 17

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

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

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of February 17

Endorsement watch: Sri again

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle endorses Sri Kulkarni in the CD22 primary. We see Kulkarni as the strongest possible candidate for Democrats hoping to turn the seat blue. A former Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Department of State, Kulkarni is the son … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Sri again

The interviews I didn’t do

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

As was the case with the 2019 Houston elections, there were too many candidates and too many races (and in this case, too little time as well) to do a full slate of interviews. I did what I could, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

2020 Primary Early Voting, Day One: Off to a quick start

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

And we’re off. On an overcast and drizzly day in much of Texas, early voting for the 2020 primary elections in some of the state’s most populous counties was up over turnout four years ago, despite warnings by political watchers … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sen. Kirk Watson to retire

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this was unexpected. State Sen. Kirk Watson, an Austin Democrat, is retiring from the Texas Senate. His resignation is effective at midnight on April 30, the Austin American-Statesman first reported Tuesday. Watson is leaving office to become the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Sen. Kirk Watson to retire

Endorsement watch: The story so far

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron lists all their endorsements so far as early voting begins. It’s here. Early voting in the March 3 Texas primaries begins today and ends Feb. 28. Over the past few weeks, the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board has interviewed … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: The story so far

Five questions for the primary

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Five questions I thought of, anyway. With my own answers, some of which are admittedly on the weaselish side. Feel free to discuss/disagree/ask your own questions/etc. 1. What kind of turnout are we going to have? The short answer is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Colleen Gaido

Posted on February 18, 2020 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 →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Judicial Q&A: Colleen Gaido

UT/Trib: Hegar leads Senate primary pack

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

A small bit of clarity in a muddled race. MJ Hegar has widened her lead over her rivals for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate, but she’s one of a dozen candidates in that Texas race who remain strangers … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2020 Primary Early Voting begins today

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We don’t have a long primary season in Texas – the filing deadline was barely two months ago, though to be sure some candidates have been running for much longer than that – and the first part of it is … Continue reading →

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

Judicial Q&A: Amparo Monique Guerra

Posted on February 17, 2020 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 →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Judicial Q&A: Amparo Monique Guerra

HISD takes a step towards a bond referendum

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Just a step. If there’s to be a bond referendum on the ballot, this year or later, they’ll have to vote again to authorize that. Houston ISD trustees kept hopes alive for a November bond election during Thursday night’s board … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on HISD takes a step towards a bond referendum

Endorsement watch: Ogg and Moore

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Two (*) big endorsements on Sunday, in the races for District Attorney and Commissioners Court, Precinct 3. Let’s do the thing. Kim Ogg for District Attorney: “We are in the midst of righting a lot of wrongs,” Ogg told the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Nuro set to roll out

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Ready or not, here they come. Self-driving delivery vehicles that carry no humans will hit Houston roads next month. Nuro, a San Francisco technology company, is planning to deploy its next-generation autonomous delivery vehicles in Houston after receiving federal approval. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for February 16

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re a fan of Lost and some other shows, you’ll be able to stream them for free soon. “The New Majority Behind Sex Work Decriminalization”. Finally got around to reading Diana Moskowitz’s story about the Netflix show Cheer and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for February 16

Judicial Q&A: Cheri Thomas

Posted on February 16, 2020 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 →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Judicial Q&A: Cheri Thomas

How should we police the police?

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This article raises a number of interesting questions. A quarter of the 60-plus law enforcement agencies operating in Harris County have refused to sign agreements to help local prosecutors track problem cops. Under those agreements, all signed since District Attorney … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How should we police the police?

Endorsement watch: Supreme Court and SD11

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s endorsement process has been a bit haphazard this season – there are times when it looks like they’ve got a theme going, then they deviate from it in some head-scratching way that makes it hard for me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Supreme Court and SD11

Endorsement watch: For Menefee

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We have our first major endorsement against an incumbent as the Chron recommends Christian Menefee for County Attorney over Vince Ryan. Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan’s decision to spend millions of dollars and waste precious legal resources to prolong the … Continue reading →

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

UT/Trib: Two out of three polls say Bernie is moving up

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This is Bernie Sanders’ best poll result in Texas so far. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has doubled his support among Democratic voters in Texas and now leads the race for that party’s presidential nomination in Texas, according to the latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Observer overviews the DA primary

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve had a chance to listen to my interviews with DA candidates, now read this story for more on this important primary. When Kim Ogg first ran for Harris County district attorney, she had a simple pitch for criminal justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Observer overviews the DA primary

No metal detectors at HISD schools

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

For now, at least. Houston ISD trustees shelved a request from administrators Thursday to authorize up to $3 million for metal detectors, arguing district officials need to provide more concrete recommendations and plans for school security before the board votes … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Endorsement watch: More State Reps

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron finishes the task of endorsing in the State Rep primaries. Here was Round One, now let’s dive into the rest. Natali Hurtado in HD126: Hurtado was 19 and a college student working at Olive Garden when she became … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: More State Reps

Judicial Q&A: Natalia Cornelio

Posted on February 14, 2020 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 →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Judicial Q&A: Natalia Cornelio

What is happening in the CD22 primary?

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Holy smokes. A state district judge on Wednesday barred Democratic congressional candidate Nyanza Moore from making domestic violence allegations against opponent Derrick Reed after the former Pearland councilman sued her for defamation. Brazoria County Judge Patrick Sebesta issued a temporary … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Astros offer an apology

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see how it goes for them. Astros players issued their first public apology after being involved in a cheating scandal that rocked baseball in the offseason. “I am really sorry about the choices that were made by my team … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Endorsement watch: Some State Reps

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron made seven endorsements in contested Democratic State Rep primaries on Thursday, plus two in contested Republican State Rep primaries. This must be Part One, because there are multiple races left for them to do. I’ll get to that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Judge Amy Clark Meachum

Posted on February 13, 2020 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 →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Chron overview of the HD142 primary

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Also known as the How Mad Are People At Harold Dutton? primary. Longtime state Rep. Harold Dutton is facing the most serious re-election test of his 35-year political career in an acrimonious primary against two Democratic opponents. The race, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Chron overview of the HD142 primary

Endorsement watch: The judges

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

After a couple of Republican endorsements, the Chron gives us a slate of judicial candidates for the Democratic primary in the district courts. A brief summary: Singhal in Democratic primary for 1st Court of Appeals, Place 3 We recommend Dinesh … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 10

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance knows the state of the union is very much under threat as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of February 10