Tag Archives: Hurricane Harvey

HISD approves its budget

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

In the end, they took what they initially rejected. Houston ISD trustees unanimously passed a $2 billion budget Monday that is nearly identical to the one they narrowly rejected two weeks ago, signing off on significant cuts and agreeing to … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on HISD approves its budget

More details on the flood bond referendum

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

This is the longer version of the original story. Through at least two-dozen public meetings across the county’s watersheds, County Judge Ed Emmett said residents have a crucial role to play as they provide feedback for the projects they think … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on More details on the flood bond referendum

What the Texas State Aquarium is up to after Harvey

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

They’re doing what they need to do, which they should be doing. During Harvey, aquarium officials took in other birds and marine animals from the University of Texas-Austin Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas and the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

County officially puts flood bond referendum on the ballot

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously agreed to place a $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond before voters on Aug. 25, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. If passed, the bond would be the largest local investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Final county report on Harvey

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It was what we thought it was. In the weeks and months after Hurricane Harvey, the evidence of its historic scope and intensity trickled out bit by bit: Record rainfall totals. Record reservoir levels. Record destruction. Now, nine months after … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Who’s willing to tell Trump he’s all wet?

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Not Greg Abbott or Dan Patrick. During a visit to Pinkerton’s Barbecue on Friday afternoon, gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez said Gov. Greg Abbott failed to forcefully refute the president, who said on Wednesday that some Texans “went out in their … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

If I had a boat…

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

…I wouldn’t have used it to go Harvey-watching. Where does he get this crap? President Donald Trump praised the Coast Guard for its heroics during Hurricane Harvey Wednesday, but credited the high number of water rescues to people taking their … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

The criteria for Harvey accountability waivers

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here they are. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Wednesday released the criteria he will use to decide how to waive state ratings for schools affected by Hurricane Harvey, more than nine months after it made landfall. Schools impacted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The criteria for Harvey accountability waivers

You got something to say about the Harris County bond referendum?

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You’ll get a chance to say it. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Wednesday announced a series of public meetings to seek input from residents on an estimated $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond that commissioners plan to put before voters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Abbott versus Houston on Harvey funds

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Gov. Greg Abbott blasted the city of Houston for its response to Hurricane Harvey Wednesday, critiquing what he described as a lack of sound financial planning and sluggish progress repairing flooded homes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Abbott versus Houston on Harvey funds

HISD hoping for Harvey waiver

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

That’s what it would take to avoid TEA sanctions this year. Houston ISD’s 10 longest-struggling schools likely would not trigger major state sanctions this year if they all receive academic accountability waivers due to Hurricane Harvey, Texas Education Commissioner Mike … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Abbott approves August flood bond referendum

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

One more step forward. Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday approved Harris County’s request to call a multi-billion-dollar bond election to pay for flood control measures on Aug. 25, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. By state law, the county needed … Continue reading →

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

We’ll be voting on flood control bonds in August

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Not my first choice, but it is what it is. Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to seek a special election on Aug. 25 for what likely will be a multi-billion-dollar bond package that, if approved by voters, would be … Continue reading →

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

The timing of a Harvey bond referendum

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

How does August grab you? Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday will consider calling a special election for August 25 — the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey — to ask voters to OK a massive bond referendum for flood control … Continue reading →

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

There will never be a hurricane named Harvey again

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Or Irma or Maria or Nate. Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate were so destructive and deadly during the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season that the World Meteorological Organization’s Hurricane Committee decided this week to retire those names from future Atlantic Basin … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on There will never be a hurricane named Harvey again

Harvey-affected schools may get a break on the STAAR test

Posted on April 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Texas school districts hit hard by Hurricane Harvey may not have to worry as much about how well their students fare in this year’s standardized tests, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath announced Wednesday at a meeting of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, School days | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium report

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: “Strategies for Flood Mitigation in Greater Houston, Edition 1”, a report released today by the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium, calls for accelerating the paradigm shift underway in how the Houston area plans for and recovers from flooding … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium report

The Harvey effect on fire ants

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Possibly another reason to curse that storm. Rice University ecologists are checking to see if Hurricane Harvey’s unprecedented floods gave a competitive boost to fire ants and crazy ants, two of southeast Texas’ least favorite uninvited guests. Extreme weather events … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Harvey effect on fire ants

Council approves new floodplain regulations

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve been waiting for this. Starting this fall, all new homes built in Houston’s floodplains must be elevated higher off the ground after a contentious debate and narrow vote by City Council on Wednesday to adopt the Bayou City’s first … Continue reading →

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

Still discussing flood bonds

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s complicated. Harris County officials Tuesday said the “clock is ticking” on its call for a bond referendum for $1 billion or more in flood control projects, as requirements to provide matching funds for federal grants being disbursed in Hurricane … Continue reading →

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

Flood tunnels

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s so crazy, it just might work. The Harris County Flood Control District is exploring the possibility of building several massive, deep tunnels aimed at keeping storm water out of flood-prone neighborhoods and carry it underground for miles to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Houston’s flood mitigation priorities

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The sooner the better with this. Converting a defunct golf course and dormant landfills into detention basins, digging new channels and buying out or elevating scores of homes are among Houston leaders’ key priorities as Hurricane Harvey recovery funds begin … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Houston’s flood mitigation priorities

How about we excavate those reservoirs?

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Okay by me. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is quietly exploring the possibility of excavating dirt from Addicks and Barker reservoirs, reviving an oft-discussed proposal that would allow the reservoirs to hold more storm water and keep it out … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

From the “Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash” files

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Same song, second verse. If budget writers don’t come up with money to address a state employee pension shortfall and mounting needs for public schools, health care and transportation, credit agencies are likely to downgrade Texas’ AAA rating in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on From the “Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash” files

HISD’s budget deficit is a little smaller

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

A bit of good news. Houston ISD administrators do not expect to cut magnet programs or re-open the magnet application process ahead of the 2018-19 school year, an announcement likely to ease fears among parents who send their children to … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on HISD’s budget deficit is a little smaller

The case for the Astrodome

Posted on February 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Falkenberg lays it out. But here’s the thing: leaders have to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s. The long view has its virtues. And frankly, it’s been all to absent in the decision-making of Houston and Harris County. Shortsightedness has … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2018 primary early voting Day One: Let’s get this started

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

And we’re off, with a few concerns about aftereffects of Harvey. Hurricane Harvey may loom large in many Houston-area residents’ minds, but the storm is expected to have a limited impact on participation in the Texas primary, which kicks off … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

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 →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Early voting for 2018 primaries starts tomorrow

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

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 →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Will we or won’t we get a county bond election for flood control?

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Answer unclear, try again later. In an interview with the Chronicle, [Harris County Judge Ed] Emmett described the various factors that are at play as the county grapples with the possible bond referendum, which would be one of the biggest … Continue reading →

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

You can still vote if you have been displaced by Harvey

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Nikki Thomason, one of hundreds of people displaced when her Thornwood neighborhood filled with water, never thought her right to vote could be swept away too. “Angry, angry, you know it’s kind of funny … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: Chron for White

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Andrew White for Governor. Democrats need to choose the candidate who, quite simply, will appeal to the most voters in a contest against Abbott. We believe that candidate is Andrew White. White, 45, is a Houston entrepreneur … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Chron for White