Monthly Archives: February 2017

Friday random ten: Ladies’ night, part 31

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know exactly how many more of these there are to go, but we are getting into the home stretch. 1. Last Dance – The Raveonettes (Sharin Foo) 2. Dream On – Rebecca Turner 3. We Belong Together – … Continue reading →

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There is no “acceptable” bathroom bill

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Please don’t try to create one. A Republican in the Texas House is pitching an alternative to the “bathroom bill,” saying he wants to focus more on local control than on bathrooms. State Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, filed legislation Monday … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Fifth Circuit hears Pasadena redistricting appeal

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is to decide whether to lift or leave in place Judge Lee Rosenthal’s ruling that the pre-2013 all-single-member-district Council map will be in place for the May elections in Pasadena. The City of Pasadena asked for the expedited hearing … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Paxton prosecutor pay suspended

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Whiplash! Collin County must immediately stop paying the three lawyers prosecuting Ken Paxton’s criminal fraud case, a Dallas court has said. The 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas on Monday temporarily halted the payments — the result of a lawsuit … Continue reading →

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Abbott pulls state grant money to Travis County

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

As threatened. Gov. Greg Abbott has followed through on his threat to cut off state funding for Travis County over its new “sanctuary” policy. Abbott’s office said Wednesday it has canceled criminal justice grants it usually administers to the county, … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Texas’ first transgender Mayor

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Meet Jess Herbst, Mayor of New Hope, Texas. The mayor of a small Collin County town has become the first known openly transgender elected official in Texas history. Jess Herbst, who was elected mayor of New Hope last May, came … Continue reading →

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Another point about Metro and marketing

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Metro receives a good report in its quadrennial audit, and also a good suggestion. The public perception of vagrancy, loitering and even crime remains a challenge for Houston transit officials that has made its way into Metro’s new performance audit. … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of January 30

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance has never been more proud of the ACLU as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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HCDP Chair Q&A: Eartha Jean Johnson

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I have sent out a brief Q&A to all of the announced HCDP Chair candidates for whom I could find contact information. I will run the responses I get in the order I receive them. While only precinct chairs … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Lawsuit threatened over special education limits

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The clock is ticking. Disability advocates on Monday threatened to sue the Texas Education Agency unless the state permanently ends its special education enrollment benchmark within the next month. The advocates said immediate action is necessary because of the “devastating … Continue reading →

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More about the hack of the Astros

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating stuff. A federal judge has unsealed details about former St. Louis Cardinals executive Chris Correa’s hacking of the Astros’ email and player evaluation databases, clearing the way for Major League Baseball to impose sanctions against the Cardinals as soon … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Joaquin Castro still talking Senate

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

So he says to Buzzfeed. Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro said Wednesday he’s considering challenging Republican Ted Cruz in the 2018 Texas Senate race and that he will decide by this spring. “I said that I’ll take a look at it … Continue reading →

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