Monthly Archives: September 2017

The taproom bill is in effect

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

And it’s lousy, as expected. The latest draft of beer legislation in Texas has left a bitter taste in the mouths of some craft brewers. HB 3287, which lawmakers passed during their regular legislative session earlier this year, requires craft … Continue reading →

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Paxton prosecutors officially petition the CCA over their pay

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Last chance. The special prosecutors in the securities fraud case against Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking the state’s highest criminal court to help them get paid. On Tuesday, the prosecutors asked the Court of Criminal Appeals to reverse a … Continue reading →

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Don’t wait on Joaquin

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We may want him to, but Rep. Joaquin Castro probably isn’t running for Governor. Exiting a summit on citizen diplomacy Tuesday at the Texas Capitol, U.S. Rep. Joaquín Castro, D-San Antonio, was trailed by a handful of reporters. “Something tells … Continue reading →

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Paul Bettencourt advocates doing nothing to rebuild after Harvey

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

He has nothing constructive to offer, that’s for sure. One of the top Republicans leaders in the Texas Legislature is slamming the city of Houston and other local governments for trying to raise taxes on homeowners in the name of … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of September 18

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance encourages you to keep supporting Harvey and Irma relief efforts as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Gretchen Himsl

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Today we wrap up the series of interviews with candidates in HISD District I with Gretchen Himsl. Gretchen is a Policy Analyst for Children at Risk, an education-focused nonprofit that among other things puts out an annual evaluation of all … Continue reading →

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Texas remains in hyperloop competition

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We’re still a long way from anything happening, but if it does it could happen here. There’s still a chance Texans could be some of the first people in the world to whisk along in tubes at 700 mph. Hyperloop … Continue reading →

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Straus backs removing Capitol Confederate monument

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Kudos. Texas House Speaker Joe Straus requested on Tuesday that a contentious Confederate plaque be removed from the Capitol. The plaque, erected in 1959, asserts that the Civil War was “not a rebellion, nor was its underlying cause to sustain … Continue reading →

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Interview with Elizabeth Santos

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There’s about a two week gap between my interview with Monica Flores Richart and my interview with today’s candidate, Elizabeth Santos. In between, of course, Harvey happened, and among many other vastly more important things it affected how interested anyone … Continue reading →

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One more in CD32

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Meet Lillian Salerno, the third major candidate to take a crack at Rep. Pete Sessions in CD32. Lillian Salerno, who served as President Barack Obama’s deputy undersecretary of rural development for the Department of Agriculture, [officially launched] her candidacy for … Continue reading →

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Some schools will have longer days

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Seems like a reasonable approach, all things considered. School days will grow longer for students at 11 Houston Independent School District campuses after the Board of Education voted Thursday night to extend school days to stay in compliance with state … Continue reading →

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The courthouse shuffle

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Justice rearranged. Flood waters damaged several buildings in the courthouse complex , which is spread across a dozen city blocks in north downtown. The county’s shiny new underground jury assembly building flooded, but the biggest casualty was probably the destruction … Continue reading →

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Interview with Monica Flores Richart

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

So it’s been a very strange election season. I’m sure you don’t need me to go over all the reasons for that again. Let me cut to the chase by saying I will be presenting an abbreviated set of candidate … Continue reading →

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More on recapture and the Rainy Day Fund

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There are some conditions that have to be met to get our recapture money back. Houston Independent School District won’t have to hand millions of dollars to the state to spend at other schools if HISD needs that money to … Continue reading →

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Dukes gets deferral on felony charges

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Possibly good news for one embattled legislative incumbent. The Travis County district attorney will not pursue, at least for now, the most serious charges against state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, saying prosecutors have renewed their investigation into the travel vouchers at … Continue reading →

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Abbott waives fees for birth certificates for individuals from hurricane-affected counties

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From Diane Trautman on Facebook, also sent to me in email: Governor Greg Abbott has approved a request allowing the state to waive fees for mail-in or walk-in birth certificate issuance requests, and local registrars to waive fees for walk-in birth … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for September 17

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

How Game of Thrones spoilers happen. Because people want them to happen would be my explanation. “We’re not talking here about anything as puny as political economic power. No, climate is about something far more terrifying it its capacities: Climate … Continue reading →

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City goes to SCOTUS over same-sex spousal benefits

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The City of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner filed a petition Friday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision that came down earlier this summer, concluding that states did not have to provide publicly funded benefits to … Continue reading →

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House to study Harvey-related issues

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good to see. House Speaker Joe Straus is asking three House committees to wade into issues related to Hurricane Harvey, including how the state can maximize federal funds and whether to rethink how to grade schools affected by the storm … Continue reading →

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More on Stefano de Stefano

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Our favorite double-named Ted Cruz primary challenger. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is one of the state’s best known conservative politicians, but one GOP long shot is hoping he can oust the firebrand Republican with a simple appeal: “A return to … Continue reading →

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Dallas Observer Q&A with CD32 candidate Ed Meier

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Also a good read. You’ve spent a lot of time traveling around the world, starting by growing up in Africa as a missionary kid. What keeps bringing you back to Texas and Dallas specifically? I was born in Dallas. Lived … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Shenandoah

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s Bruce Springsteen performing this classic American folk song: That’s from his Seeger Sessions album, which was basically aimed right at my sweet spot. For an every more growly-voiced take, here’s Tom Waits with Keith Richards: Hitch the horses to … Continue reading →

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HISD may get a recapture reprieve thanks to Harvey

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Talk about a mixed blessing. The Houston Independent School District may be able to avoid paying part – or perhaps all – of its over $100 million state-mandated recapture payment. The potential reprieve comes after a school board lawyer found … Continue reading →

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Emmett calls for changes to county’s flood strategy

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good to see. Calling Tropical Storm Harvey’s devastation a “game-changer,” Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Monday called for a sweeping reexamination of the region’s flood control strategy, a process that could include billions of dollars to upgrade aging dams, … Continue reading →

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Your auto insurance rates are about to go up

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Another gift to us from Harvey. Auto insurance companies have restricted options for Houston-area drivers looking to purchase new policies and replace cars flooded by Hurricane Harvey, and comprehensive rates are expected to rise after the loss of an estimated … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Best of the best

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This could be my best list ever. 1. Best Damn Fool – Buddy Guy 2. Best Friend – Dent May 3. The Best Is Yet To Come – Frank Sinatra with Count Basie & His Orchetsra 4. Best Lil’ Whorehouse … Continue reading →

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Some people would like Joaquin Castro to run for Governor

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The headline to this story says that Rep. Castro “is considering” a run for Governor, but if you read the story you’ll see that my characterization is the more accurate. In need of someone to lead the top of the … Continue reading →

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Harris County may do Harvey bonds

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Turns out Harvey recovery will cost money. Who knew? A majority of the Harris County Commissioners Court on Wednesday said they would support a large bond issue, perhaps upwards of $1 billion, and a tax increase to pay for it. … Continue reading →

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Don’t expect any STAAR slack

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, kids. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said Wednesday morning that the state was not likely to let students displaced by Hurricane Harvey delay a required state test this school year — or to change the way school districts are … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS puts new maps on hold

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. The U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a serious setback to those hoping Texas would see new congressional and House district maps ahead of the 2018 elections. In separate orders issued Tuesday, the high court blocked two lower court rulings … Continue reading →

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Council to hold hearings on proposed tax rate increase

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your chance to be heard. Houston City Council set the ball rolling Wednesday on Mayor Sylvester Turner’s proposed 8.9 percent tax rate hike to help fund Houston’s recovery from Hurricane Harvey, in what would be the first hike from … Continue reading →

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That sinking feeling

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We’re a little lower to the ground these days. Or maybe it’s just that the ground itself is lower. GPS data show #Harveyflood was so large it flexed Earth’s crust, pushing #Houston down by ~2 cm! #EarthScience #HurricaneHarvey #txflood pic.twitter.com/88lNScJBq9 … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of September 11

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance sends its thoughts and prayers to Florida as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Mayor seeks one-year tax hike for Harvey cleanup

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This stuff isn’t going to pay for itself, you know. Mayor Sylvester Turner will ask City Council to approve an 8.9 percent hike in the city’s tax rate this fall to help Houston recover from Tropical Storm Harvey, in what … Continue reading →

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