Monthly Archives: June 2016

Texas blog roundup for the week of June 20

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance looks forward to a day when it never has to mourn the victims of another mass shooting again as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Judicial Q&A revisited: David Singer

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, in addition to selecting a Democratic nominee for County Commissioners Court in Precinct 1, precinct chairs everywhere in Harris County will get to select two judicial nominees, for newly-created courts. There are three people who have expressed … Continue reading →

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Rep. Isaac asks FTC to step in on Austin rideshare regulations

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Seriously? State Rep. Jason Isaac has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Austin’s rules for ride-hailing companies, raising concerns that the city’s “burdensome regulations” are anti-competitive. In the letter dated June 7, Isaac said he thought the city “erected … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The latest attempt to kill the Uptown BRT line

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Whatever. “See this right turn lane filled up?” asked consultant Wayne Dolcefino to about a dozen angry Uptown residents, standing along Post Oak Boulevard near the intersection with San Felipe Street on Monday morning. “That’s going away. The right lane … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Here come the cannabis growers

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

For medicinal purposes only. About 60 miles north of Dallas, amid green fields in the town of Gunter, population 1,486, Texas Cannabis CEO Patrick Moran has optioned to buy a former cotton gin, where he plans to grow the Cannabis … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A revisited: Shawn Thierry

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, in addition to selecting a Democratic nominee for County Commissioners Court in Precinct 1, precinct chairs everywhere in Harris County will get to select two judicial nominees, for newly-created courts. There are six people who have expressed … Continue reading →

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State still resisting refugees

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Because of course we are. The federal government wants Texas to accept more than 2,000 additional refugees this year. Texas’ response: No thank you. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is putting the federal government on notice that the … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Another lawsuit filed over Prop 1 ballot language in Austin

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Sure, why not? It’s Uber Zimmerman! Litigious District 6 Councilman Don Zimmerman sued Mayor Steve Adler in his official capacity Thursday, challenging the outcome of the Proposition 1 election on the grounds the ballot language “misled voters and omitted main … Continue reading →

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Paxton asks appeals court to reconsider

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Pretty please? Lawyers for Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday asked a state appeals court to reconsider its recent ruling that upheld the criminal charges against him. The motion did not address the two most serious charges alleging that Paxton … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Germaine Tanner

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, in addition to selecting a Democratic nominee for County Commissioners Court in Precinct 1, precinct chairs everywhere in Harris County will get to select two judicial nominees, for newly-created courts. There are six people who have expressed … Continue reading →

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AG opinion sought on eminent domain power for Texas Central

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This could be a big deal. State Rep. Byron Cook asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday to rule on whether a private company developing a high-speed train project in the state has the power of eminent domain. Texas … Continue reading →

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HCC Board condemns Dave Wilson

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Well, who doesn’t? Trustee Dave Wilson was issued a public reprimand Thursday by a majority of his colleagues on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees, an action that effectively condemned several of his actions that board members said “are … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: Chron for Ellis

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I had wondered if the Chron was going to weigh in on any of the candidate-selection processes that will be going on over the next two weeks. I even sent an email to a couple of their editorial board members … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for June 19

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Republican Party can get even worse post-Trump. Speaking of which, The Oatmeal is on point. How reality show villains are made. “In other words, don’t worry, even if Trump is a dangerous sociopath, Republican lawmakers and voters will keep … Continue reading →

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Update on the nomination selection processes

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

In six days, Democratic precinct chairs in County Commissioners Court Precinct 1 will select a nominee to replace the late El Franco Lee on the November ballot. In 11 days, all Democratic precinct chairs will select nominees for the 507th … Continue reading →

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Our tax system isn’t quite as stupid as it could be

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good news! A Texas Supreme Court ruling has spared the state from having to issue billions of dollars in tax refunds to oil and gas drillers — a prospect that had had threatened to shake up the next legislative session. … Continue reading →

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

PocketCab

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Austin isn’t the only city with rideshare innovation happening. Sugar Land-based PocketCab LLC plans to fill the potential void with a new dispatch app for taxi and limousine companies if Uber does decide to leave the Houston market. PocketCab works … Continue reading →

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UIL punts again on transgender athletes

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I say again, please reconsider this. The debate over the University Interscholastic League’s policy for transgender athletes continues after the organization’s legislative council took no action during Tuesday’s meeting in Round Rock. The UIL rule stating a student’s gender is … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Let’s Get Married

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I give you the great Rev. Al Green: Makes you want to rush out and buy a ring, doesn’t it? Now for a Scottish twist on that, here’s The Proclaimers: If someone in that audience didn’t take advantage of the … Continue reading →

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What’s the roadmap for ridesharing regulations look like?

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This is going to be a challenge, no matter how you feel about it. Several state legislators have made it clear they’re eager to take control of rules for ride-hailing companies in Texas, shifting power from individual cities to the … Continue reading →

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Where’s the abortion data?

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The ACLU would like to know. With the U.S. Supreme Court poised to decide the biggest abortion case in nearly a decade, the ACLU of Texas is demanding that the Department of State Health Services “stop concealing” abortion statistics for … Continue reading →

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Hey, look, it’s another Astrodome proposal

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Meet A-Dome Park. A Houston architect is touting a new idea for the Astrodome’s overhaul, urging the county to avoid an indoor park concept and instead strip the structure down to its bones. The concept, dubbed “A-Dome Park,” is being … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Let’s please get the children covered

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Surely that’s not too much to ask. Five nonprofit organizations and community groups in Texas, including three in the Houston area, have been awarded a combined $4.78 million by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to boost efforts to … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: In the city, part 15

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We come to the end of another theme. 1. Weekend In Cincinnati – The Bobs 2. Welcome To New York – Taylor Swift 3. Werewolfs Of London – Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon 4. The Wexford Carol – The Chieftains … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A revisited: Chip Wells

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, in addition to selecting a Democratic nominee for County Commissioners Court in Precinct 1, precinct chairs everywhere in Harris County will get to select two judicial nominees, for newly-created courts. There are six people who have expressed … Continue reading →

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Texas anti-refugee lawsuit dismissed

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Texas on Thursday lost its fight against the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state, ending a months-long battle during which refugees from the war-torn country continued to arrive. Dealing the final blow to Gov. Greg Abbott’s effort to … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

How much would you pay to fix Houston’s sewer system?

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Whatever your answer to that question is, the real answer is that

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What do you get when you cut off funds for HIV testing?

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

You get no HIV testing, of course. When Texas abruptly ended its $600,000 HIV prevention contract with Planned Parenthood’s Houston affiliate in late December, state health officials promisedthat there would be no interruption in services. The Department of State Health … Continue reading →

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Benjamin Elder

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Meet Benjamin Elder, a better and braver person than Dan Patrick will ever be. Spend a few hours in Benjamin Elder’s company and you’ll realize he’s an average, bubbly 10-year-old kid. All lanky limbs and wavy chestnut-colored hair, he’s easy … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A revisited: Sandra Peake

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, in addition to selecting a Democratic nominee for County Commissioners Court in Precinct 1, precinct chairs everywhere in Harris County will get to select two judicial nominees, for newly-created courts. There are six people who have expressed … Continue reading →

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Sen. Ellis claims a majority of Precinct 1 endorsements

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This may end the suspense for the June 25 precinct convention. Senator Rodney Ellis has won the public support of 65 of the 125 Precinct One precinct chairs eligible to vote in the June 25 selection process for the Democratic … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What should the goals for 2016 be for Texas Dems?

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Given that carrying the state is highly unlikely, what else is there to aim for this year? So will Democrats make a presidential play for Texas or not? Presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton stoked the issue last month by saying she … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of June 13

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance mourns with the people of Orlando as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Judicial Q&A revisited: Julia Maldonado

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, in addition to selecting a Democratic nominee for County Commissioners Court in Precinct 1, precinct chairs everywhere in Harris County will get to select two judicial nominees, for newly-created courts. There are six people who have expressed … Continue reading →

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