Monthly Archives: August 2014

HERO repeal lawsuit moves back to state court

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Are we dizzy yet? Conservative activists seeking to repeal the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance trumpeted a small victory Thursday when a court hearing resulted in the ordinance being suspended pending an Aug. 15 hearing. Mayor Annise Parker, anticipating a lawsuit, … Continue reading →

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State bar grievance filed against Paxton

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s getting to be hard to keep track of all of the complaints and legal actions being filed against the man who would be the state’s top lawyer. This one is a grievance filed with the State Bar of Texas … Continue reading →

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The state’s puppet witnesses in the HB2 lawsuit

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Austin Chronicle tells the story. Among the state defense witnesses who took the stand on the third day of trial against Texas’ abortion-restricting House Bill 2 were two women with overt objections to abortion and one physician whose testimony … Continue reading →

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Lots of same sex marriage appeals about to happen

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Busy times in the federal appeals courts. Federal appeals courts soon will hear arguments in gay marriage fights from nine states, part of a slew of cases putting pressure on the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a final verdict. If … Continue reading →

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Council approves vehicles for hire overhaul

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

At long last. Technology companies that have unapologetically disrupted vehicle-for-hire markets in cities across the country will be able to operate legally in Houston after City Council on Wednesday ended 16 months of wrangling by approving new rules. Council voted … Continue reading →

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HERO repeal lawsuit moved to federal court

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

And the bad guys are very unhappy about it. Conservative activists seeking to repeal Houston’s equal rights ordinance accused the city of stalling the issue Wednesday after city lawyers moved the opponents’ lawsuit over rejected ballot petitions from state to … Continue reading →

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Ike Dike versus Centennial Gate

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s an academic storm surge mitigation smackdown! Lawmakers on Monday told representatives of two of Texas’ most distinguished universities to stop feuding and come together on a plan for protecting the Houston region from a storm surge similar to the … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for August 4

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance thinks Congress can stay in recess all the way till November as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Remember Ray Jones

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

So now that the HERO-haters’ petitions have been rejected by the city for not having enough valid signatures after all of the petition pages that were not compliant with the requirements of the city charter were thrown out, the story … Continue reading →

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Is there any valid evidence of Todd Willingham’s guilt left?

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Washington Post has a long piece examining the connection between the jailhouse snitch whose testimony helped send Cameron Todd Willingham to death row and the prosecutor who has long denied taking any action to influence that testimony. For more … Continue reading →

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Chron calls for end of pot prohibition

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

By which they mean that the federal government should repeal its anti-marijuana laws and leave it to the states to regulate. While there are still questions about long-term health effects of marijuana use or the policy implications of decriminalization or … Continue reading →

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SD04: Creighton defeats Toth

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I went to bed before the final wrapup stories were written, but trust me, Rep. Brandon Creighton is now Sen. Brandon Creighton. In early returns in the race to succeed Sen. Tommy Williams, state Rep. Brandon Creighton was ahead of … Continue reading →

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HERO repeal effort falls short

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Too bad, so sad (not really). Opponents of Houston’s new non-discrimination ordinance did not get enough valid signatures to force a November repeal referendum, Mayor Annise Parker and City Attorney David Feldman announced Monday. “With respect to the referendum petition … Continue reading →

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Next lawsuit against HB2 is underway

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see if the result this time is any better. Texas abortion providers’ next attempt to block strict abortion regulations that the Republican-led Legislature passed last year begins Monday in Austin, where a federal court is considering whether to block … Continue reading →

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Do we really have to talk about the 2015 Mayoral race right now?

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

sigh All right, all right, if you insist. But let’s make it quick. The list of possible candidates thus far includes mainly those who have held or sought public office before, though analysts said the guessing game at this point … Continue reading →

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Maybe the Hall of Fame voting procedure changes aren’t so bad

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I admit, when I heard the news that the MLB Hall of Fame changed its voting procedures to reduce eligibility from 15 years to 10, I was outraged. That’s my usual reaction to things the HOF does, since most of … Continue reading →

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Decision on validity of HERO-repeal petitions coming today

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Get ready for the fireworks. City of Houston officials plan to announce Monday whether a petition submitted by opponents of the city’s new nondiscrimination ordinance contains enough valid signatures to force a vote on repealing the measure this November. Opponents … Continue reading →

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Houston municipal employees may see health insurance costs get hiked again

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s one of many possible proposals for closing the upcoming budget shortfall. A key option, [Mayor annise] Parker has said, is to increase the share of health care costs employees pay. The city now pays three-fourths, and employees pay one-fourth. … Continue reading →

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Marriage equality’s legal winning streak may be on the line this week

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

And it’s not even the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that might bring a halt, however temporary, to the march of progress. Marriage equality has had a very good run in the federal courts ever since the Supreme Court declared … Continue reading →

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More on San Felipe Highrise Lawsuit II

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story on the latest adventure in urban planning via the courtroom. The basics are covered here so I’m going to cut to the speculation about effect. Observers have said the Ashby case could have an effect on … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for August 3

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

An older link, but since I’ve been seeing the question come up, here’s why grocery store rotisserie chickens are cheaper than uncooked chickens. A little mockery can go a long way. The state of California is doing just fine, thanks … Continue reading →

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Laura Murillo

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Campos tosses a hat into the ring for Mayor 2015. Laura Murillo, CEO and President of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is telling folks she will be running for H-Town Mayor next year. I said this yesterday: She would … Continue reading →

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At an impasse

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Doesn’t look like there will be any new collective bargaining agreement between the city and the firefighters this year. Houston’s firefighters union declared an impasse with the city over a new labor contract, which a union negotiator called a “slap … Continue reading →

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Biking in Dallas

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

They’re pretty far behind other Texas cities in infrastructure and general bike-ability. City leaders, including Mayor Mike Rawlings, are eager to boost Big D’s cycling options — and soon. They’re looking at everything from more bike lanes to off-street trails, … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Come Down In Time

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Not one of Elton John’s biggest hits, but a lovely tune nonetheless: And a very good cover of it by Sting, from the “Two Rooms” tribute to Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin: Sting’s voice just works on that song, doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Hassan drops out of County Judge race

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I’m okay with this. Democrat Ahmad Hassan has ended his campaign for Harris County judge, saying incumbent Republican Ed Emmett should be given another four-year term to finish projects vital to the community. Hassan, owner of the Katy-based Alexandria Realty … Continue reading →

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LVdP will not be a candidate for Mayor of San Antonio in 2015

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I never really thought there was anything to this, but in case you needed an official denial, here you go. Democrat Leticia Van de Putte wants to put rumors to rest: she has absolutely no intention of running for mayor … Continue reading →

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The Astrodome isn’t officially a historic landmark just yet

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The decision has been delayed until there can be a meeting to discuss it in Houston. Honoring a request by Harris County officials to table the vote and meet much closer to Houston, the Texas Historical Commission voted Wednesday at … Continue reading →

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Council approves funds for Harrisburg Line overpass

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Progress! The City Council is set to decide Wednesday whether to give Metro $10 million to accommodate traffic as well as trains on a controversial overpass the transit agency plans to build along its Green Line light rail route. The … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: You don’t mess around with Jim

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

For a letter worth 8 points in Scrabble because it doesn’t appear very frequently in English language words, there sure are a lot of names that beging with J. 1. Last One – James “Blood” Ulmer 2. I’ll Go Crazy … Continue reading →

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I’m not the only one who thought Abbott’s same sex marriage appellate brief was ridiculous

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Of course, his arguments were ridiculous, so I shouldn’t be the only one who thinks so. Attorney General Greg Abbott is defending the state’s same-sex marriage ban using a widely rejected “responsible procreation” argument, bolstering gay rights advocates’ hopes and … Continue reading →

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County Attorney asks judge to overturn Wilson verdict

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not sure what the point of this is. Although a jury decided Dave Wilson lived where he claimed when he ran for the Houston Community College seat he holds, the drama surrounding the perennial candidate continues. Harris County attorneys … Continue reading →

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Oakland Raiders to San Antonio?

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

There’s more than one Oakland-based sports team that’s been scoping out San Antonio as a possible place to relocate. Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis and two top lieutenants met recently with several San Antonio officials to discuss the potential of … Continue reading →

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First phase of redistricting trial ends

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Not much of interest must have happened, because news reports have been sparse, to say the least. The first phase of the federal trial examining claims that state lawmakers discriminated against African-American and Hispanic voters when redrawing Texas House districts … Continue reading →

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