Tag Archives: Harris County

“Solar For All” grant

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Earlier this year, the Biden Administration announced a $7 billion national “Solar For All” grant competition via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help expand solar energy production across the country. Harris County leaders enlisted a coalition … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Solar For All” grant

And now for the H-GAC negotiations

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Prop 2, the Fair For Houston ballot item, passed easily last week. The item charges the city of Houston to negotiate with H-GAC for a revised system of “proportional voting”. Those negotiations are next on the docket. Legal questions remain, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023, Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I have basically no idea who’s running for office right now

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Candidate data, where are you? Next year’s primary campaigns are starting to take shape after numerous candidates filed for office on Saturday, the first day to sign up for a spot on the March 2024 ballot. Voters will weigh in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Connecting Uptown and Memorial Park

Posted on November 12, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I approve of this. The overwhelming task of getting to Memorial Park from Uptown by bike or on foot is poised to vastly improve, provided a $22 million project for a bridge across Buffalo Bayou and underpass of Loop 610 … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Connecting Uptown and Memorial Park

Whiny loser election lawsuits finally tossed

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The results of Harris County’s highly scrutinized November 2022 election were upheld Thursday evening by a judge, who threw out all but one remaining election contest out of 21 related lawsuits. Republican candidate Erin Lunceford filed her suit in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Whiny loser election lawsuits finally tossed

Filing season for 2024 begins today

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Happy First Day of Candidate Filing to all who celebrate. The Democratic and Republican slates will begin to take shape this weekend once candidates start filing their paperwork to run. Several Harris County officials plan to file for re-election, such … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Harris County provider of mental health services victimized by ransomware

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Too close for comfort. Harris County officials had few details to add Thursday morning about the investigation into a recent ransomware attack on the county’s provider for mental health services, saying cybersecurity experts had recommended they not share information. “As … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics, Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Harris County provider of mental health services victimized by ransomware

My initial thoughts on the 2023 election

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Suffice it to say I was off base on turnout. I thought we would be on track to top the turnout of the 2003 Mayor’s race, but in the end we fell short of 2015’s level. I’d have lost quite … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

2023 election results: Houston and Harris County

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to be brief, and will have a longer look at things tomorrow. A bit more than 20% of the E-Day votes had been tallied as of 10 PM, but for the most part I’d say we had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Today is Election Day 2023

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The Harris County Clerk’s Office reminds citizens that [today] is Election Day. 701 vote centers will be open across Harris County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and registered voters can cast their ballots at a location … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Today is Election Day 2023

Time once again for reimagining the Astrodome

Posted on November 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Knock yourselves out. Alfonso Hernandez recalled growing up in a little town in Venezuela with a population of about 500,000 people, but still knowing what the Astrodome was due to seeing so many monumental moments on TV — including Nolan … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

A few thoughts about Tuesday turnout

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We now know how many early votes were cast in Harris County for the November 2023 election. I’m now going to run through a few scenarios to show what the range of possibility is for overall final turnout. None of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

November 2023 Final EV totals: Records successfully broken

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We had a big last day in early voting on Friday, as you can see below: Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 29,859 164,104 193,963 2019 15,304 137,460 152,764 2023 14,925 224,400 239,325 The final EV totals from 2015 are … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Paxton prosecutors win pay ruling

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure this will be appealed, but for now it’s a win for them. A Harris County district judge has sided with the special prosecutors handling Ken Paxton’s securities fraud case in their years-long effort to get paid. The judge, … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Paxton prosecutors win pay ruling

November 2023 Day Eleven EV totals: About to break records

Posted on November 3, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

With one day to go in early voting, we are about to set a record. Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 27,952 128,611 156,563 2019 14,280 103,945 118,225 2023 14,034 171,673 185,707 The final EV totals from 2015 are here … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on November 2023 Day Eleven EV totals: About to break records

November 2023 Day Nine EV totals: Just the numbers

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday was Halloween, I’m still a little strung out from handing out Trick or Treat loot, so here’s just the updated numbers: Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 24,768 89,599 114,367 2019 11,356 76,613 87,989 2023 10,274 123,609 133,883 The … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on November 2023 Day Nine EV totals: Just the numbers

Paxton’s securities fraud trial set for April 15

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars. And maybe make plans to camp out at the courthouse overnight if you want to get a seat, I suspect there will be a lot of people wanting to attend. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s long-delayed trial on … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

November 2023 Day Eight EV totals: You can’t out-nerd me

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

This Chron story about early voting through Sunday made me grind my teeth. One week in, early voting turnout has surpassed the levels seen in the last two Houston mayoral elections — but not overwhelmingly so — perhaps a surprise … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

November 2023 Day Seven EV totals: My one crazy theory

Posted on October 30, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We are officially one week into early voting for the November 2023 election. Here’s how it’s been going in Harris County so far: Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 21,141 61,008 82,149 2019 6,799 55,937 62,736 2023 9,284 91,676 100,960 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spotlight on the Harris County Clerk

Posted on October 29, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

But first, a few words about early voting so far. Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth reports that voters have cast more than 54.4K in-person ballots during the first four days of Early Voting for the November 7 Joint General & … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

November 2023 Day Three EV totals: All in person

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We’re at the first Friday of early voting for the November 2023 election, and a pattern is beginning to emerge. This is the data through Day Three: Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 18,196 27,596 45,792 2019 6,050 26,206 32,256 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on November 2023 Day Three EV totals: All in person

Ann Harris Bennett not running for re-election

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We will elect a new Tax Assessor-Collector next year. Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett, a second-term Democrat, announced last week she will not seek re-election in 2024. She will continue to lead Harris County’s voter registration process through … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

November 2023 Day One EV totals: You’ve got no mail

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s that time you’ve been waiting for, so here’s what you want: Year Mail Early Total =============================== 2015 14,240 8,891 23,131 2019 5,407 7,973 13,380 2023 3,289 12,740 16,029 The final EV totals from 2015 are here and the final … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on November 2023 Day One EV totals: You’ve got no mail

What early voting looked like in 2015 and 2019

Posted on October 22, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Tomorrow we start voting – well, technically, tomorrow we start voting in person. People have already been sending in mail ballots, as we’ll see when the Day One EV totals are posted. I will of course report on this as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Early voting starts Monday

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Are you ready? Early voting for the November 7 Joint General & Special Elections begins Monday, October 23, and ends Friday, November 3. A total of 68 voting centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

SOS releases 2022 Harris County election audit

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

They sure know how to time these things. Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson’s office on Thursday released preliminary findings from its audit of Harris County’s November 2022 election, the latest analysis of an election that has been the subject … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on SOS releases 2022 Harris County election audit

Harris County gets federal grant for its climate action plan

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday that it awarded Harris County one of 16 clean energy grants totaling $30 million, distributed to state and local governments nationwide. The Harris County grant of more than $1.6 million is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Harris County gets federal grant for its climate action plan

Interview with Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, administration of Harris County’s elections has been reverted to the County Clerk’s office, with the Tax Assessor once again being in charge of voter registration. Putting aside the legislative intent and the litigation over this, the November … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Interview with Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth

UH-Hobby Center poll: Whitmire 34, Jackson Lee 31

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Same pollster as before, nearly the same result. There has been almost no movement in Houston’s mayoral race over the last three months, with state Sen. John Whitmire and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee still firmly entrenched atop the crowded … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Judge Hidalgo talks about her mental health journey

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good stuff, and I’d bet there are a lot of people who need to hear it. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said she spent years fighting depression and suicidal thoughts but felt too ashamed to ask for help because of … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Ed Emmett opines against Prop B

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

He’s the first prominent local politician that I’m aware of to take this position. Promoted by a group called Fair for Houston, the petition is seeking to have cities’ and counties’ voting strength (within organizations such as the H-GAC board … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ed Emmett opines against Prop B

Eric Dick is an old hand at violating campaign laws

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

He’s the industry standard around here. Attorney and Harris County Department of Education Trustee Eric Dick faces $40,000 in fines for campaign finance violations after the Texas Ethics Commission recently tacked on another $10,000 penalty. The TEC ruled late last … Continue reading →

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

Interview with Lesley Briones about the Harris Health System bond referendum

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s interview is about a vital issue that I suspect has gotten far less attention than it deserves. I’m speaking of the $2.5 billion bond issue to expand, improve, and renovate the public hospitals and other facilities of the Harris … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Interview with Lesley Briones about the Harris Health System bond referendum

Judge Hidalgo returns

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome back. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo thanked Harris County residents for their support Monday in a statement announcing her return to work after an extended leave of absence to receive mental health treatment. Hidalgo said in the statement that … Continue reading →

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