Tag Archives: Chris Hollins

Yet another part of the omnibus vote suppression law struck down

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

It’s taken awhile, but I can’t argue with the outcome. A federal judge in San Antonio has ruled that the state of Texas’ ID requirements for mail ballot applications are unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez on Thursday found that … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged absentee ballots, ACLU, Americans with Disabilities Act, Brennan Center, Chris Hollins, curbside voting, Disability Rights Texas, Election 2024, elections administrator, FIEL Houston, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HOPE, Isabel Longoria, Jolt Initiative, Ken Paxton, La Unión Del Pueblo Entero, lawsuit, League of Women Voters, MALDEF, Medina County, Mexican American Bar Association of Texas, OCA Houston, REV UP Texas, Secretary of State, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Impact, Texas Organizing Project, The Lege, voter suppression, Voting Rights Act, Workers Defense Action Fund | Leave a comment

And here comes the voluntary retirement plan

Posted on March 18, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

Seems like the obvious move. In a letter sent to city employees Thursday, [Mayor John] Whitmire wrote that the city will be offering a “one-time Voluntary Municipal Retirement Payout Option” to employees who are eligible for retirement. The plan will … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Annise Parker, budget, Chris Hollins, deficit, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, property taxes, revenue cap, The Lege | 1 Comment

Considering the CD18 special election question

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

The Press dives right in. Shortly after the news broke Wednesday morning of former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s death, speculation began about a special election for his U.S. Congressional seat — a post he’d held for just two months. Political … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2025 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, CD18, Chris Hollins, Congress, Election 2024, Election 2025, Greg Abbott, Isaiah Martin, Sheila Jackson Lee, special election, Sylvester Turner, Texas | 1 Comment

Hollins’ warning about the budget

Posted on February 8, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

This is where we are. Houston could face a $330 million deficit in the next fiscal year – up by approximately $100 million after the Texas Supreme Court denied the city’s motion to appeal a years-long court battle over street … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, deficit, Harris County, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, HPD, John Whitmire, Mayor, Metro, revenue cap, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

January 2025 campaign finance reports – City of Houston

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: Harris County offices Continuing with our January campaign finance report review, let’s check in on the current City of Houston elected officials and other people of interest. Candidate Raised Spent Loan On Hand ======================================================= Whitmire 52,900 61,210 0 2,432,442 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2027 | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Amanda Edwards, Amy Peck, campaign finance reports, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Hollins, David Robinson, Edward Pollard, Election 2023, Election 2026, Election 2027, Fred Flickinger, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Letitia Plummer, Mario Castillo, Martha Castex-Tatum, Mary Nan Huffman, Mayor, Orlando Sanchez, runoff, Sallie Alcorn, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvester Turner, Tarsha Jackson, Tiffany Thomas, Twila Carter, Willie Davis | Comments Off

Hollins requests expansion of Whitmire’s investigation

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I mean, it sure sounds reasonable. Controller Chris Hollins penned a letter Tuesday to the Office of the Inspector General and City Council Ethics Committee calling on Mayor John Whitmire’s State of the City address to be included in “pay to play” … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Bank On Houston, Chris Hollins, Election 2027, ethics, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston Forward, Inspector General, John Whitmire, Mayor, Robin Curtis | 3 Comments

The 2027 Mayor’s race is officially underway

Posted on October 19, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I think that’s the lens that one must use when looking at this. Mayor John Whitmire and City Controller Chris Hollins traded barbs in dueling press conferences Thursday, each alleging the other has conflicts of interest by providing special access … Continue reading →

Fifth Circuit pauses vote harvesting injunction

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Here they come to do what they do. A federal appeals court has temporarily reinstated portions of Texas’ 2021 voting law regulating ballot handling, ruling that a judge’s previous decision to strike certain rules came too close to the 2024 … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged absentee ballots, ACLU, Americans with Disabilities Act, Brennan Center, Chris Hollins, curbside voting, Disability Rights Texas, Election 2020, Election 2024, elections administrator, FIEL Houston, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HOPE, Isabel Longoria, Jolt Initiative, Ken Paxton, La Unión Del Pueblo Entero, lawsuit, League of Women Voters, MALDEF, Medina County, Mexican American Bar Association of Texas, OCA Houston, REV UP Texas, Secretary of State, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Impact, Texas Organizing Project, The Lege, voter suppression, Voting Rights Act, Workers Defense Action Fund | Comments Off

More of the omnibus voter suppression bill blocked

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Better (very) late than never. Certain provisions of Texas’ sweeping 2021 voting law that restrict voter assistance violate the federal Voting Rights Act and cannot be enforced, a federal judge in Texas ruled Friday. Among the rules struck down by … Continue reading →

We’re not cutting our way out of this

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

A preview of today’s budget debate from the Houston Landing. Four city council members are proposing a 5 percent increase in Houston’s property tax rate they say would enable the city to avoid $86 million in spending cuts and bring … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, deficit, derecho, HFD, Houston, Houston City Council, HPD, Hurricane Beryl, Joaquin Martinez, John Whitmire, Letitia Plummer, Mario Castillo, property taxes, revenue cap, Sallie Alcorn | 1 Comment

Vote harvesting provision of omnibus voter suppression law SB1 blocked in federal court

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Very timely, even if it took forever to get here. A federal judge ruled on Saturday that part of a Texas law that enacted new voting restrictions violated the U.S. Constitution by being too vague and restricting free speech. The ruling, made by … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged absentee ballots, ACLU, Americans with Disabilities Act, Brennan Center, Chris Hollins, curbside voting, Disability Rights Texas, Election 2020, elections administrator, FIEL Houston, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HOPE, Isabel Longoria, Jolt Initiative, Ken Paxton, La Unión Del Pueblo Entero, lawsuit, League of Women Voters, MALDEF, Medina County, Mexican American Bar Association of Texas, OCA Houston, REV UP Texas, Secretary of State, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Impact, Texas Organizing Project, The Lege, voter suppression, Voting Rights Act, Workers Defense Action Fund | 1 Comment

July 2024 campaign finance reports – City of Houston

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: Senate and Congress State offices Harris County offices No preambles here. This used to be a dead time in the city electoral cycle, as no one was allowed to fundraise until the January of the election year. That’s long … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Amanda Edwards, Amy Peck, campaign finance reports, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Hollins, David Robinson, Edward Pollard, Election 2023, Election 2024, Election 2026, Election 2027, Fred Flickinger, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Letitia Plummer, Mario Castillo, Martha Castex-Tatum, Mary Nan Huffman, Mayor, Mike Knox, Mike Laster, MJ Khan, Sallie Alcorn, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvester Turner, Tarsha Jackson, Tiffany Thomas, Twila Carter, Willie Davis | Comments Off

The election to nominate a candidate in CD18 has been set

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Per an email that I got yesterday from the HCDP, the Executive Committee meeting of CD18 precinct chairs to fill the vacancy on the November ballot will be next Tuesday, August 13, at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, with the meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, CD18, Chris Hollins, Christian Menefee, Christina Morales, Congress, Corisha Rogers, Dwight Boykins, Election 2024, HCDP, James Dixon, Jarvis Johnson, Jolanda Jones, Letitia Plummer, Robert Slater, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvester Turner, Texas | 5 Comments

The lost Harvey recovery funds

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Good job on the audit front. Now let’s see what we can learn from this. Houston lost at least $8.5 million in potential reimbursements for a federally funded Hurricane Harvey home repair program due to missed deadlines and filing errors, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, Houston, Houston City Controller, Hurricane Harvey, Land Commissioner, Sylvester Turner | 3 Comments

Firefighter deal certified and approved

Posted on June 19, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

That’s that. Houston City Council approved the $1.5 billion settlement and labor contract with the city firefighters union on Wednesday, a deal that now forces Mayor John Whitmire to quickly find new sources of revenue to help pay for it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, Election 2023, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, Sylvester Turner, The Lege | 5 Comments

Controller Hollins has not certified the firefighter deal yet

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

In case you were wondering. Hours after Mayor John Whitmire told City Council members on Friday that Controller Chris Hollins plans to certify the mayor’s landmark contract with the Houston firefighters union, Hollins walked back that claim, saying his review … Continue reading →

Council approves bond deal for firefighter back pay

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This is a big component of the firefighter pay deal, just not the whole thing. Houston City Council approved Wednesday a historic bond deal, estimated to cost taxpayers over $1 billion, to spread $650 million in backpay to firefighters over … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged bonds, budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, drainage, Edward Pollard, Election 2023, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, HPD, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, Solid Waste Management Department, Sylvester Turner | 17 Comments

Hollins not ready to certify firefighters’ deal

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Welp. The proposed $1.5 billion settlement and labor contract with the Houston firefighters union appears unlikely to be certified in time for Wednesday’s scheduled City Council vote because a lengthy list of questions Controller Chris Hollins sent Mayor John Whitmire … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, HPD, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, Samuel Pena, Sylvester Turner | 17 Comments

What could it have cost for the firefighters?

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

City Controller Chris Hollins throws out some numbers and kicks up a fuss. Houston Controller Chris Hollins faced fierce criticism from firefighters union president Marty Lancton, after estimating that equalizing past pay for Houston firefighters with their peers in other … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, Edward Pollard, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, HPFFA, John Whitmire, lawsuit, Marty Lancton, Mayor, pension obligation bonds, revenue cap, Solid Waste Management Department, Sylvester Turner, Tiffany Thomas | 17 Comments

Controller Hollins puts firefighter settlement tab at up to $1.3 billion

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

That’s once you factor in interest payments over the life of the bonds that will be issued to cover this. Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed settlement with the firefighters union could cost significantly more than previously advertised, City Controller Chris … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged budget, Chris Hollins, collective bargaining agreement, HFD, Houston, HPFFA, John Whitmire, Mayor, pension obligation bonds, revenue cap, Solid Waste Management Department, Sylvester Turner | 19 Comments

January 2024 campaign finance reports – City of Houston

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: State offices Harris County offices Senate Congress I did a lot of posting before now on the city finance reports, so it’s probably best to summarize: 8 Day reports for Mayoral candidates 30 Day reports – that post was … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Abbie Kamin, Amanda Edwards, Amy Peck, campaign finance reports, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Hollins, David Robinson, Democratic primary, Edward Pollard, Election 2023, Election 2024, Election 2026, Election 2027, Fred Flickinger, Gilbert Garcia, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Letitia Plummer, Mario Castillo, Martha Castex-Tatum, Mary Nan Huffman, Mayor, Mike Knox, MJ Khan, Orlando Sanchez, Robert Gallegos, runoff, Sallie Alcorn, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvester Turner, Tarsha Jackson, Tiffany Thomas, Twila Carter, Willie Davis | Comments Off

Chris Hollins begins his term as Controller

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of potential for action here. Houston Controller Chris Hollins knows that following Tuesday’s inaugural celebration comes the hard work. But the 37-year-old former Harris County Clerk says he is up to the task. “The people of Houston put (me) … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Annise Parker, budget, Chris Brown, Chris Hollins, Election 2023, Election 2027, HFD, Houston, Houston City Controller, HPD, John Whitmire, Mayor, Sylvester Turner | 2 Comments

Precinct analysis: 2023 Controller’s runoff

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: Mayoral runoff The City Controller runoff also wasn’t particularly close, as Chris Hollins bested many (many, many, many) time candidate Orlando Sanchez by 17 points. There are some interesting things to point out here though, so let’s get to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Bill Frazer, Chris Brown, Chris Hollins, Election 2013, Election 2015, Election 2019, Election 2023, Harris County, Houston, Houston City Controller, John Whitmire, Orlando Sanchez, precinct analysis, Ronald Green, runoff, Sheila Jackson Lee | 1 Comment

2023 runoff results: Whitmire and Hollins win

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m writing this at about 11:30 PM, with 169 of 450 voting centers reporting results. One race is very much in the balance, one other could possibly swing. Keep all that in mind. John Whitmire led 65-35 in Harris County … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged At Large #1, At Large #2, At Large #3, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Hollins, Cynthia Reyes-Revilla, District D, District G, District H, Election 2023, Election Day, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Letitia Plummer, Mario Castillo, Mary Nan Huffman, Mayor, Melanie Miles, Nick Hellyar, Orlando Sanchez, Richard Cantu, Roy Morales, runoff, Sheila Jackson Lee, Tony Buzbee, Travis McGee, Twila Carter, Willie Davis | 13 Comments

8 Day runoff 2023 campaign finance reports

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The last campaign finance reports for the year are the 8 day reports for the runoff elections. These were mostly filed on Friday, so let’s have a look at them. The 8 Day reports from November for the Mayor’s race … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged At Large #1, At Large #2, At Large #3, At Large #4, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Hollins, Cynthia Reyes-Revilla, District D, District G, District H, Election 2023, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Letitia Plummer, Mario Castillo, Mary Nan Huffman, Mayor, Melanie Miles, Nick Hellyar, Orlando Sanchez, Richard Cantu, Roy Morales, runoff, Sheila Jackson Lee, Tony Buzbee, Travis McGee, Twila Carter, Willie Davis | 12 Comments

Precinct analysis: 2023 Controller’s race

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: Mayor’s race I got in a groove and took what I learned from mucking around with the Mayor’s race data and was able to clean up the same for the Controller’s race in relatively short order. As you’ll see, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Chris Hollins, Dave Martin, Election 2023, Houston, Houston City Controller, Orlando Sanchez, precinct analysis, runoff, Shannan Nobles | 2 Comments

SurveyUSA Mayoral runoff poll: Whitmire 42, SJL 35

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We finally have a second pollster. State Sen. John Whitmire maintains a 7 percentage point lead over U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the Houston mayoral race, with a fifth of likely voters having yet to make up their minds … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Annise Parker, Bill King, Bill White, Chris Hollins, Election 2003, Election 2009, Election 2015, Election 2019, Election 2023, Gene Locke, Houston, Houston City Controller, John Whitmire, Mayor, Orlando Sanchez, polls, runoff, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvester Turner, Tony Buzbee | 6 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 At Large #1, At Large #2, At Large #3, At Large #4, At Large #5, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Chris Hollins, Cynthia Reyes-Revilla, Dani Hernandez, Dave Martin, District D, District G, District H, Election 2023, Fair For Houston, Gilbert Garcia, Harris County, Harris Health System, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council, Jack Christie, John Whitmire, Julian Ramirez, Lee Kaplan, Letitia Plummer, Mario Castillo, Mary Nan Huffman, Mayor, Melanie Miles, MJ Khan, Nick Hellyar, Orlando Sanchez, Patricia Allen, Richard Cantu, Robert Gallegos, Roy Morales, runoff, Sallie Alcorn, Sheila Jackson Lee, Tony Buzbee, Twila Carter, Willie Davis | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: For Hollins

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes a strong endorsement of Chris Hollins for Houston City Controller. Overseeing Harris County’s vote during one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history, smack dab in the middle of a raging pandemic, Hollins led a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Chris Hollins, Dave Martin, Election 2023, endorsements, Houston, Houston City Controller, Orlando Sanchez, Shannan Nobles | Comments Off

30 day 2023 campaign finance reports – Houston City Controller

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Mayor Continuing with 30 day campaign finance reports, here they are for Houston City Controller candidates. The July reports for these candidates can be found here. Candidate Raised Spent Loan On Hand ====================================================== Hollins 160,578 598,460 0 214,799 Martin … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged campaign finance reports, Chris Hollins, Dave Martin, Election 2023, Houston, Houston City Controller, Orlando Sanchez, Shannan Nobles | Comments Off

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 Annie Garcia, Chris Hollins, Dave Martin, Election 2023, Fair For Houston, Gilbert Garcia, Harris County, Harris Health System, hospitals, Houston, Houston City Controller, Jack Christie, John Whitmire, Lee Kaplan, Mayor, MJ Khan, Orlando Sanchez, polls, Robert Gallegos, runoff, Shannan Nobles, Sheila Jackson Lee, turnout, voter registration | 4 Comments

Interview with Chris Hollins

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve had a few familiar names among the candidates for office so far, but I daresay there’s only one who qualifies as a national name. That would be Chris Hollins, who drew national plaudits for his efforts to make the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Chris Hollins, Election 2023, Houston, Houston City Controller, interviews | 2 Comments

The lawsuit over the omnibus voter suppression law has begun

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Settle in, this will take awhile. Two years after voting rights groups challenged Texas Republicans’ sweeping overhaul of its voting and election laws, the case comes to trial Monday in a federal court in San Antonio. The lengthy roster of … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged absentee ballots, ACLU, ACLU of Texas, Americans with Disabilities Act, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Attorney General, Brennan Center, Chris Hollins, curbside voting, Dana DeBeauvoir, Disability Rights Texas, drop off boxes, Election 2020, elections administrator, FIEL Houston, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Georgia, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HOPE, Isabel Longoria, Jolt Initiative, Justice Department, Ken Paxton, La Unión Del Pueblo Entero, lawsuit, League of Women Voters, MALDEF, Medina County, Mexican American Bar Association of Texas, OCA Houston, Organization of Chinese Americans-Greater Houston, REV UP Texas, Secretary of State, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Impact, Texas Organizing Project, The Lege, Travis County, voter suppression, Voting Rights Act, Workers Defense Action Fund | Comments Off

Two Controller candidates favor Fair for Houston

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The third is Orlando Sanchez. A ballot measure seeking to increase Houston and Harris County representation on regional councils is getting support from city controller candidates. Chris Hollins, the former Harris County Clerk, expressed his support for the measure Wednesday. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2023 | Tagged Chris Hollins, Dave Martin, Election 2023, Fair For Houston, HGAC, Houston, Houston City Controller, Orlando Sanchez, Shannan Nobles | Comments Off

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