Tag Archives: Ben Leman

Is Greg Abbott now an obstacle for Texas Central?

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This Texas Monthly story suggests that maybe the answer to that question is Yes. Earlier this year, after six years of legal battles brought by property owners and local governments, the rail project finally looked to be chugging along. Texas … Continue reading →

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Texas Central gets federal approvals

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

A big step completed. Federal officials have issued final approvals to backers of a Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, clearing the way for construction of the proposed line, in a move almost certain to face challenges from opponents. Texas Central Railroad, … Continue reading →

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Texas Central opponents see an opportunity

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Never waste an opportunity. Examination of a planned high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas should be halted as the country addresses the new coronavirus pandemic and the company rethinks its financial shape, 30 elected officials in Texas told federal … Continue reading →

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The Lege versus scam callers

Posted on May 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I appreciate the effort, but it’s highly unlikely to make any difference. The Texas House gave an initial stamp of approval Wednesday to a bill that aims to prohibit telemarketers or businesses from falsifying their phone numbers. The measure, House … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The next eminent domain fight

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Coming to a Lege near you. Holly Reed, Texas Central’s managing director of external affairs, said the company prefers not to use eminent domain “at all” and would rather work out amicable sales agreements for the thousands of parcels needed … Continue reading →

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The June elections

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You may not realize this, but there are multiple elections going on right now around Texas. I’m aware of three: 1. The Klein ISD Tax Ratification Election: Our shared vision in Klein ISD is that every student enters with a … Continue reading →

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Runoff races, part 4: Republicans

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Again, not going to spend too much time on this, but here are the US House and State House races for which there are Republican primary runoffs: Dist Candidate March% ========================= CD02 Roberts 33.03% CD02 Crenshaw 27.42% CD05 Gooden 29.97% … Continue reading →

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May 5 election results

Posted on May 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Martha Castex-Tatum is your winner of the District K special election. She dominated in Harris County with over 65% of the vote, and while she finished below fifty percent in Fort Bend County, she had more than enough votes to … Continue reading →

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Today is May Election Day

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Saturday, May 5, 2018 is Election Day for voters in Houston Council Member District K. Voters will determine who will fill the vacancy in the southwest Council District. Polling locations will be open from 7 am to … Continue reading →

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So will there be any effort to help Cecil Webster in the HD13 special election?

Posted on March 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

So as we know, there is a special election set for HD13 on May 5. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a special election for May 5, 2018, to fill the State Representative District 13 seat vacated by Leighton Schubert. District … Continue reading →

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What are the elections of interest this May?

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

That’s a question I’m asking as well as one I’m trying to answer. Normally, there are no elections in May of any kind of year for Houston folks, though there are some for parts of Harris County and surrounding areas. … Continue reading →

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High speed rail line route finalist chosen

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’d where the Texas Central rail route will be, modulo some possible final tweaks and any further political obstacles. Federal officials narrowed the possible paths for a Dallas-Houston bullet train down to one likely route Friday, providing an unknown number … Continue reading →

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Texas Central withdraws its land access lawsuits

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. The private developer of a planned bullet train between Dallas and Houston has withdrawn more than a dozen lawsuits against Texas landowners that sought court orders allowing the company access to private property to survey land for the 240-mile … Continue reading →

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Grimes County takes its own steps against Texas Central

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Another day, another obstacle. In a rebuke of a private firm’s plans to build a bullet train between Houston and Dallas, local officials in rural southeastern Texas moved Tuesday to restrict high-speed rail development in their corner of the state. … Continue reading →

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