Tag Archives: Harris County

More on Elon’s flood tunnels

Insecure man makes defensive response to fair questions about his wild idea. Film at 11. Billionaire Elon Musk is taking issue with a recent investigation by the Houston Chronicle and The Texas Newsroom that raised questions about a flood tunnel … Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Less funding for homelessness means more homeless

It’s just math. An annual survey of the homeless population in the Houston area suggested that the region — which has attracted international attention for its ability to reduce homelessness — is at an inflection point. As the emergency funding … Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Summer Willis Act

Too much of what we got from the Legislature this year was garbage. Wingnut Republican priorities are the only things that really matter to them, and we got a lot of it. But some decent things made it through, and … Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Please don’t lie about the amount of poop in Houston’s waterways

I don’t think that’s too much to ask. Two former employees of a wastewater testing lab in Conroe are facing federal conspiracy charges after authorities alleged they falsified test results to conceal high levels of feces and other contaminants released … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Please don’t lie about the amount of poop in Houston’s waterways

DaSean Jones to resign from his bench in October

This comes as a bit of a surprise. Judge DaSean Jones, the elected Democrat in the 180th District Court and the defendant in Harris County’s last pending 2022 election contest suit, plans to resign in October, his lawyer said Friday. … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on DaSean Jones to resign from his bench in October

Do we still want flood tunnels if Elon is building them?

Fascinating stuff. The devastating flooding in Houston caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 killed dozens of people, inundated hundreds of thousands of homes and left the community desperate for a solution. Since then, local flood experts have extensively studied the … Continue reading

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

Fighting healthcare cuts was a winner

Good to know. The Trump administration’s cuts to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding for state and local health departments had vastly uneven effects depending on the political leanings of a state, according to a KFF Health News analysis. … Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fighting healthcare cuts was a winner

Hotze again asks for pause in his civil trial

“Screw this guy” will always be my response. Conservative activist Steven Hotze asked the Texas Supreme Court to pause a lawsuit against him until after the criminal trial of his former private eye, who in 2020 allegedly assaulted an air-conditioning repairman … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The censure

Don’t we have enough drama already? Harris County commissioners voted 3-1 Thursday to censure Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo following a heated disagreement over a proposed tax increase for early childcare programs. Commissioners Lesley Briones, Tom Ramsey and Adrian Garcia … Continue reading

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

Fifth Circuit upholds voter ID for vote by mail

Of course they did. A federal appeals court has upheld Texas’ requirement that potential voters must list their identification information in their application for a mail-in ballot. In Texas, voting by mail is only available for certain groups of people, … Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fifth Circuit upholds voter ID for vote by mail

The Afghan women’s soccer players of Houston

Great story. The early evening sun still shone strongly overhead when Sodaba Khinjani adjusted her cleats and squinted out at the soccer field at Bayland Park in southwest Houston. The temperature was hotter than the playing conditions she was used … Continue reading

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On Ed Pollard’s campaign cash

It’s a lot, as we have previously noted. It isn’t even close to the time potential candidates will start announcing their intention to run for Houston mayor in 2027. But if campaign finance reports are any indicator, Council Member Edward … Continue reading

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

HFT sues unsuccessfully HISD over new teacher pay raises

Of interest. A local teachers union is suing Houston ISD’s Superintendent Mike Miles and the Board of Managers after the district decided to distribute new teacher pay raises from the state by performance, not years of experience. The $3.7-billion Teacher … Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

City Council officially sets At Large #4 special election

Just dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s here. Houston voters will elect a new City Council member in November who could play a formative role in shaping city policy for the next eight years. The council on Wednesday voted … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2025 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How’s that Trump thing been working out for us?

A brief sampling… Texans could see higher energy costs as Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ slows clean energy growth, report says Less clean energy will be built in Texas as a result of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law by President … Continue reading

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Astrodome at 60

We still don’t know what we’re going to do with it. In the winter of 2018, Ed Emmett thought he found the perfect plan to save the Astrodome and make it useful for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — … Continue reading

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

There’s a map

The special session gavels in tomorrow and there’s a new proposed Congressional map, but before we get to that let’s look at the lay of the land going into the session. On Monday, state lawmakers held a call with U.S. … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

July 2025 campaign finance reports – Harris County offices

It’s mid-to-late July, and you know what that means: It’s campaign finance report season! We’ve got a lot to cover, as there’s more angles and intrigue than usual, certainly a lot more than there was three months ago. I’ll start … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hands Off Our Districts protest tomorrow

From the inbox: Dear Democrats, friends and neighbors, We’re asking everyone who believes in fair representation to join us this Saturday at 10:00 AM for the Day of Protest, “Hands Off Our Districts.” In solidarity with community leaders, elected officials, and precinct chairs across Harris County, … Continue reading

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

Ogg’s contempt hearing delayed by special session

You can run, but you can’t hide. A hearing to determine whether former district attorney Kim Ogg should be held in contempt of a court order is likely to be on hold until after Gov. Greg Abbott’s special legislative session … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ogg’s contempt hearing delayed by special session

No more backup power mandates for senior living places

That’s our Legislature, y’all. In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, thousands of seniors across the Houston region were stuck in buildings without power or air-conditioning, often left to fend for themselves in the sweltering summer heat. The suffering galvanized Houston-area Democrats to once again fight for what had repeatedly failed: … Continue reading

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

The opening lineup in At Large #4

Three and counting, with more surely to come. Letitia Plummer’s bid for Harris County judge means her at-large seat on Houston City Council is now open. The Houston City Council will soon decide when to hold an election to fill … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2025 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The opening lineup in At Large #4

CM Plummer formally announces for Harris County Judge

Houston’s worst-kept secret is a secret no more. Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer plans to resign her position to run in the Democratic primary for Harris County judge, she told the Houston Chronicle in an exclusive interview. The seat … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2025, Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Fifth Circuit keeps SB4 block in place

A bit of good news. A Texas law that would deputize state and local police to question and arrest people they suspect of being in the country illegally was blocked once again. The law would also authorize local judges to … Continue reading

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fifth Circuit keeps SB4 block in place

Erica Lee Carter to run for Harris County Judge if Judge Hidalgo does not

Things are getting more interesting. As Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo waits to announce her plans on seeking reelection, former Congressman Erica Lee Carter announced Monday she may run for the seat. “I want to make it clear, if Judge … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Erica Lee Carter to run for Harris County Judge if Judge Hidalgo does not

Houston environmentalists join legal fight to get EPA funds restored

Go get ’em. Houston environmental advocates joined a class-action lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency last week to recover billions in federal grant funding cut by the Trump administration. The nonprofit Air Alliance Houston hopes to restart the work it was leading to engage residents … Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Houston environmentalists join legal fight to get EPA funds restored

Can we say we’re sure we know CM Plummer’s intentions by now?

Tell me you’re running for County Judge without triggering the “resign to run” provision, somehow. For the second time in two weeks, information has inadvertently emerged hinting that Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer intends to run for Harris County … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We will learn Judge Hidalgo’s election intentions soon

Okay. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo intends to announce her decision on if she will run again in 2026 in the coming weeks. The news came amid building uncertainty and speculation regarding the two-term judge’s electoral intentions. She poured cold … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ogg will face contempt hearing

I mean, she was warned. A hearing next month could determine whether former district attorney Kim Ogg will be held in contempt over her communications surrounding the prosecution of two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, according to court … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Ogg will face contempt hearing

Mayor Parker speaks about her candidacy for County Judge

I am once again pointing you to a recent episode of CityCast Houston, this time to hear a conversation they had with former Mayor Annise Parker about her candidacy for Harris County Judge: See here for some background. As noted … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Harris County gets a win in health funding lawsuit

More good lawsuit news. A district judge restored about $20 million in public health funding to Harris County and a coalition of local governments after ruling in their favor in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human … Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Harris County gets a win in health funding lawsuit

Tarrant County plaintiffs amend their complaint

From the Lone Star Project: Attorneys acting on behalf of an expanded list of citizen plaintiffs have amended claims against MAGA County Judge Tim O’Hare and Tarrant County Texas for the adoption of a mid-decade County Commissioners Precinct map that … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2026, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tarrant County plaintiffs amend their complaint

Counties get temporary restraining order on prosecutor reporting requirements

Good, but we’ll see how long it lasts. A Travis County Judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of a new rule requiring prosecutors in counties with 400,000 or more residents to turn over data on active and closed criminal cases to … Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Counties get temporary restraining order on prosecutor reporting requirements

New public defender incoming

Congrats all around. For the first time in more than a decade, a new face will lead the Harris County Public Defender’s Office. Commissioners appointed Judge Genesis Draper of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 to lead the public defender’s office … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on New public defender incoming