Monthly Archives: June 2017

Birth control by mail

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is interesting, but doesn’t address a couple of key points. About half the counties in Texas don’t have the number of public clinics required to meet the contraceptive needs of the population. So Nurx, an at-home birth control delivery … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Precinct analysis: SBOE districts

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There are 15 members on the State Board of Education, five Democrats and ten Republicans. Of those ten Republican-held seats, four of them were in districts that were interesting in 2016: Dist Incumbent Clinton Trump Obama Romney ================================================= SBOE5 Mercer … Continue reading →

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We could have another Heights alcohol vote

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Sure, why not? Heights voters last fall lifted a 105-year-old ban on the sale of beer and wine at grocery stores, but customers still must join a private club if they want to drink alcohol at area restaurants or bars. … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

An SB4 threefer

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We have our first SB4 casualty. A 15,000-member association of attorneys and law professors said on Wednesday that it is relocating its 2018 convention out of Texas in response to the state legislature passing Senate bill 4, a sweeping and … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for June 11

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

“There may come a day when you will have to be The Advocate for someone you love. Do not do it under duress because that just creates more problems. Do not do it because you think it will somehow get … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

May runoff results

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I know I’ve been all about the Pearland and Pasadena runoffs, but this is easily the big story from yesterday. With little more than 75% of precincts reporting, Mayor Ivy Taylor conceded victory to Councilman Ron Nirenberg (D8) just after … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We have the Paxton case

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

By “we”, I mean Harris County. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s criminal case is officially moving to Harris County. In an order signed Friday morning, Judge George Gallagher vacated several previous orders scheduling hearings in the case and directed the Collin … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Yes, there will be constitutional amendments on the November ballot

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

They’re not very interesting, which in this environment is a blessing, but they will be there. House Joint Resolution 21 What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Our electors can continue to be faithless

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

So much for that. The momentum seemed to be there. After Donald Trump easily defeated Hillary Clinton in Texas, two of the state’s 38 Electoral College members cast ballots for someone other than the Republican nominee — a less-than-flattering moment … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Saturday video break: Sara

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s Fleetwood Mac with one of their bigger post-Rumours hits: There isn’t a Fleetwood Mac video channel as far as I could tell, so that was the best-looking video I could find. Other than the lips not always synching with … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Today is Runoff Day

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

While I have nothing to vote for tomorrow, there are hot races in Pasadena and Pearland. Changes in Pearland’s demographics have mirrored those in Houston, amplifying the effects of what this election will show, University of Houston political scientist Brandon … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2017 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Houston will get involved in the SB4 fight later this month

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Very good to hear. Mayor Sylvester Turner plans to ask City Council to vote this month on joining lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Texas’ new “sanctuary cities” law, ending months of equivocation on the controversial immigration enforcement measure. If City … Continue reading →

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

Texas needs more refs

Posted on June 10, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe you have what it takes to be one. The Texas Association of Sports Officials has been around since the late 1970s. The organization has seen a decrease in its numbers in recent years. At the same time, more and … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Friday random ten – Girls’ music of 2016, part 2

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

More of the music from 2016 that is in my library because of my daughters: 1. Stitches – Shawn Mendes 2. Side To Side – Ariana Grande 3. Same Old Love – Selena Gomez 4. Don’t Let Me Down – … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS will not hear Harris County bail appeal

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Let this please be the end of the line. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has denied Harris County’s request to stop the release of misdemeanor inmates who can’t afford to post cash bail. The county had appealed late Tuesday … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Do we really have to have a pension bond vote?

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

So as we know, the Houston pension reform bill that passed contains a provision that requires a vote on the pension obligation bonds that Mayor Turner intends to float as a down payment. Pension obligation bonds have been floated in … Continue reading →

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

Dallas gets in the fight against SB4

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. Dallas is joining some other Texas cities, including Austin and San Antonio, in taking on the state’s so-called “sanctuary city” law. Mayor Mike Rawlings made the announcement Wednesday afternoon, calling SB4 “unconstitutional” and a law that “greatly … Continue reading →

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Abbott signs texting while driving ban

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the good news. The bad news is that being Greg Abbott, he wants to make it worse. Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed into law a bill that creates a statewide ban on texting while driving. The measure, authored … Continue reading →

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Voter ID plaintiffs ask court to void the law

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

As well they should. Lawyers for minority voters and politicians asked a federal judge Wednesday to void the Texas voter ID law, saying it is the next logical step for a statute found to be discriminatory. The lawyers also said … Continue reading →

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

Bexar County joins in on SB4 litigation

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Add another to the list. Bexar County has joined the fight against Senate Bill 4, the so-called “sanctuary cities” law. In their biweekly meeting Tuesday, three commissioners and Judge Nelson Wolff voted to join the City of San Antonio in … Continue reading →

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

CCA declines to get involved in Paxton judge dispute

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

That’s that, then. Texas’ highest criminal court has declined to intervene in the dispute over the judge in Attorney General Ken Paxton’s securities fraud case. On Friday, prosecutors asked the state Court of Criminal Appeals to reverse a lower appeals … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of June 5

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is still debating whether it’s pronounced “cov-fee-fee” or “cov-fay-fay” as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Abbott calls for special session

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

To begin July 18, with a laundry list of wingnut wet dreams. Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday called a special session of the Texas Legislature starting July 18 and promised to make it a sweeping one if lawmakers cooperate. Abbott … Continue reading →

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David Bradley not running for re-election to SBOE

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good-bye. Beaumont Republican David Bradley, one of the State Board of Education’s most conservative members, announced Monday that he will not seek reelection Monday. First elected in 1996, Bradley said he has gotten tired of rehashing old debates on the … Continue reading →

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Matt Rinaldi’s words will be used against him

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. On Monday, Representative Matt Rinaldi, called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after hundreds of mostly Latino activists filled the House gallery to protest Senate Bill 4, the controversial ‘sanctuary cities’ ban. Jose Garza, an attorney representing El Paso County in … Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit reinstates bail order

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County took the fight over its controversial bail system to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, even as county officials scrambled to plan the imminent release of dozens of misdemeanor defendants held behind bars who cannot afford to … Continue reading →

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

Republicans are a little freaked out over Texas Congressional redistricting possibilities

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I referenced this Trib story in last Friday’s post about the state declining to do a special session on redistricting, which at least some members of Congress from Texas would have liked. There was more to this story, which I … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

ACLU files for injunction against SB4

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Texas filed the first motion today to block the anti-immigrant and anti-law enforcement Texas Senate Bill (SB4) before it takes effect. This is the next step in the … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Here comes Conroe

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Not so little anymore. This isn’t the first time Conroe, population 82,286, has recorded notable growth. In 2015, it was one of the 13 fastest-growing cities by percentage, ranking sixth below other Texas cities like San Marcos, Georgetown and Frisco. … Continue reading →

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

Matt Rinaldi holds a swing seat

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Just something to keep in mind. State Rep. Matt Rinaldi’s scuffle Monday with Hispanic lawmakers is already putting a bright spotlight on his House district — and whether he can hold on to it in 2018. Rinaldi, an Irving Republican, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

State files motion to combine all the “sanctuary cities” lawsuits

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This isn’t a surprise, but there is a bit of a twist. In a filing late Thursday, Attorney General Ken Paxton asked a federal district court in Austin to absorb two other legal challenges that have been filed against the … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Mayors (still) against climate change

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Someone’s gotta do it. On Thursday, President Donald Trump officially announced that the United States would be withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, citing the deal’s failure “to serve American interests.” Hours later, governors, mayors, and environmental groups all had … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for June 4

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

“The Las Vegas stadium is the new champion when it comes to extracting public largesse for private benefit, a distinguished title lineage that includes the Vikings’ new stadium, which was supposed to be paid for with electronic gambling that raised … Continue reading →

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Paxton prosecutors appeal decision to boot judge

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

And on we go. Prosecutors in the securities fraud case against Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking the state’s highest criminal court to overturn a ruling backing his push for a new judge. Paxton’s lawyers scored a win Tuesday when … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment