Monthly Archives: January 2016

This week on “As Collin County Turns”

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I swear, the Ken Paxton case is a giant vortex of political suck, absorbing everything in its wake. The Collin County district judge who oversaw the grand jury indictment of state Attorney General Ken Paxton is now facing a complaint … Continue reading →

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Are we finally headed towards a universal DH?

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe. Those in favor of the designated hitter becoming universal in Major League Baseball were given new reason for hope on Saturday. Speaking at the St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warmup event on Saturday, general manager John Mozeliak says there’s increased … Continue reading →

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Our obsolete voting machines

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the Brennan Center: Executive Summary In January 2014, the bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration (PCEA) issued a stern warning that should be of grave concern to all Americans: There is an “impending crisis … from the widespread wearing … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: I Wanna Be Like You

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

A Disney classic, sung by “King Louie” Prima in The Jungle Book, here’s Los Lobos: That’s from a live morning-show TV appearance; skip ahead to about 1:30 to get past the talk. This is a different rendition than what they … Continue reading →

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Sen. Ellis to seek Commissioner’s position

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We have our first public announcement of interest in filling the late El Franco Lee’s seat on Commissioner’s Court. Longtime state Sen. Rodney Ellis has begun making calls to local Democratic Party leaders and plans to run for the Harris … Continue reading →

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Clean Power Plan can proceed for now

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A federal appeals court has denied a request from Texas and other states to block President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, leaving the controversial climate change rules in place as a legal challenge winds through the courts. The U.S. Court … Continue reading →

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Maybe the state should regulate Uber and Lyft after all

Posted on January 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Texas Monthly reviews the current state of affairs with transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft and their fight against mandatory fingerprinting as part of the background checks that new drivers must ondergo, all of which is playing out … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: New music for the girls in 2015

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

And of course, Olivia and Audrey asked for new music last year. Not quite as much as in 2014, thanks to Olivia’s newfound love of Spotify, but still. We put the music they like (along with plenty of music I … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Stephen Aslett

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of HD27 primary

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Also known as Ron Reynolds versus the world. “This is the biggest challenge of my political career,” Reynolds said. “It will be an uphill climb, but I’m confident.” The March 1 primary includes lawyer Angelique Bartholomew, prosecutor Christopher Henderson and … Continue reading →

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Another way to achieve bail reform

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the Quorum Report: The unnecessary death of Sandra Bland in the Waller County Jail last summer has now put the reform of bail bonds in focus as a key criminal justice issue ahead of the next legislative session. Last … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Going Green

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron sticks with incumbent Rep. Gene Green in CD29. Former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia can point to 23 years on the Houston police force, six years on City Council, where he served as mayor pro tem, and six … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Nikita Harmon

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Paxton opines against daily fantasy sports sites

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I feel confident saying this will be tested in court. While placing bets on fantasy sports sites might involve skill, there is still an element of chance that equates such leagues with illegal gambling in Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton … Continue reading →

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TPJ files complaint against Cruz

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Look out, Ted. In a formal complaint sent to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) today, Texans for Public Justice (TPJ) urged the agency to audit and investigate the Ted Cruz for Senate Committee’s failure to disclose to voters that Goldman … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of January 18

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes that Alan Rickman is attending a David Bowie concert in heaven as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Endorsement watch: Sheriffs

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the time of the season again. In Ed Gonzalez, Democratic Party primary voters have a candidate with broad experience in law enforcement and governance. Gonzalez’s resume includes three terms as councilman of District H, and 18 years in the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Jeff Stauber

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As I said before, winning back the Sheriff’s office is a high priority for Harris County Democrats. Adrian Garcia won it in 2008 as an outsider. In 2016, Jeff Stauber is running on his years of experience on the inside. … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS to hear immigration executive order case

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will decide whether President Obama has the authority to declare that millions of illegal immigrants be allowed to remain and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The court … Continue reading →

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Petitioners may force vote to change Austin rideshare ordinance

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Assuming there were no shenanigans, this is an impressive show of force. A group looking to overturn an Austin ordinance requiring fingerprinting of ride-hailing drivers said Monday it has gathered more than 65,000 petition signatures, more than three times what … Continue reading →

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Paxton’s latest Syrian refugee brief

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

A bit of a reach, if you ask me. In response to the recent arrest of an Iraqi refugee who is facing charges of attempting to help the Islamic State, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a new court document … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Julie Countiss

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Houston Tomorrow presents its Vision Zero plan

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Here you go. Following other “vision zero” programs nationally, Houston Tomorrow encouraged officials – especially Houston lawmakers – to crack down on speeding and distracted driving while investing more in rebuilding streets so that vehicles can share them safely with … Continue reading →

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Emmett preps to name interim Lee successor

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We will know who it is soon. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Monday announced he expects to appoint a successor by Friday to complete El Franco Lee’s term on the county’s governing body. Emmett wants the new Precinct 1 … Continue reading →

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Fewer Texans having trouble paying medical bills than pre-Obamacare

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

What else can you say but “Thanks, Obama!” Fewer Texans say they have problems paying their medical bills in 2015 compared to 2013, according to a new report released by EHF and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The … Continue reading →

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Senate hearings on “border security”

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Sen. Sylvia Garcia sent me the following to alert people of some Senate committee hearings of interest: Joint Committee on Border Security is Thursday, January 21 at 1pm at Capitol Extension, E1.030. This is a joint Senate & House Committee … Continue reading →

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Interview with Ed Gonzalez

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

When Harris County Democrats broke through in 2008 to win their first countywide races in over a decade, the standard bearer was Adrian Garcia in the Sheriff’s race. Garcia won re-election in 2012, but stepped down in 2015 to run … Continue reading →

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Special election set for HD139

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ask, and ye shall receive. A special election for state House District 139 has been set for May 7, according to a gubernatorial proclamation issued Friday, setting in motion the race to serve out the remaining months of Houston Mayor … Continue reading →

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Metro bus system tweaks coming

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: You spoke, and METRO listened. Beginning Jan. 24, 2016, METRO will put in place a series of route and schedule modifications based on feedback received from riders and bus operators since launching the New Bus Network Aug. … Continue reading →

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Reynolds loses another request in court

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

More bad news. State Rep. Ron Reynolds has lost his bid to resume practicing law while he appeals his conviction for illegally soliciting clients. Montgomery County County Court-at-Law Judge Mary Ann Turner on Thursday denied the request by Reynolds, who … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for January 17

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

“This is the job you dream of having; you can make such a big impact.” A close look at the Working Families Party and its electoral successes. We could use some of that here in Texas. “Drug epidemics—Oxy, meth, heroin, … Continue reading →

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The Chron on the El Franco Lee successor selection process

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

First, a lamentation. Not even a month has passed since Sylvester Turner was sworn in as Houston’s new mayor, and already the next election cycle is just around the corner. Early voting for party primaries is about a month away, … Continue reading →

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HISD board moves to change some school names

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

There may be more to come at a later date. The five-trustee majority also voted to rename Henry Grady, Richard Dowling and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson middle schools and Robert E. Lee High School. Now, a committee at each school, including … Continue reading →

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Paxton prosecutors sue AG office to block records

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Hold on to your hats. In an unusual and head-spinning twist, prosecutors in the criminal case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the attorney general’s office Thursday to block the release of sensitive case information that could hinder Paxton’s … Continue reading →

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