Monthly Archives: February 2018

Judicial Q&A: Jason Luong

Posted on February 12, 2018 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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Stanart’s workshop

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Our County Clerk has been doing some tinkering. The Harris County Clerk has spent hundreds of hours and millions of dollars to build, from the ground up, an electronic voter check-in system at the polls, Channel 2 Investigates has learned. … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: County criminal courts

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

One last round of judicial endorsements. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 2: Harold J. Landreneau Harold Landreneau earns our endorsement for this primary slot with a significant caveat. Landreneau, 49, needs to shed the communication style of a chief clerk … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for February 11

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Everything you wanted to know about the link between lead and crime but were afraid to ask. Three words: Internet of dildos. You’re welcome. Also, too, Dan Quayle would totally say “Internet of dildoes”. So what’s up with all the … Continue reading →

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Update on the Dallas ballot lawsuit

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Still waiting on this. Dallas County Republicans have filed a motion to remove Judge Eric Moyé from overseeing a lawsuit that would remove 127 Democrats from the 2018 general election ballot. Moyé, a Democrat, has refused to step aside in … Continue reading →

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SaberCats Stadium

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Houston’s new pro rugby team will soon have a home. The city’s burgeoning rugby community is poised to have a new home after City Council inked a $3.2 million deal Wednesday that paves the way for the Houston SaberCats to … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Endorsement watch: CD02 and the road ahead

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes their pick on the Democratic side for CD02. If the primary race in the 7th Congressional District is the major-league showdown for Houston-area Democrats, then consider this election to be the Triple-A minor league version. In a … Continue reading →

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Will we or won’t we get a county bond election for flood control?

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Answer unclear, try again later. In an interview with the Chronicle, [Harris County Judge Ed] Emmett described the various factors that are at play as the county grapples with the possible bond referendum, which would be one of the biggest … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sandra Bullock hurts Dan Patrick’s fee-fees

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Poor little snowflake. Texas Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick is not too pleased that Oscar winning actress Sandra Bullock has agreed to star in a movie about former state Sen. Wendy Davis, whose 13-hour filibuster helped stall an anti-abortion bill in … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege, TV and movies | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Texas Monthly long read on Beto

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Worth your time to peruse. It’s a feature from their January 2018 print issue. Talk to political scientists, pollsters, operatives—both Democratic and Republican—around the state and you’ll hear plenty of reasons why, despite the surprising crowds in places like San … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Two for CD07

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron wades into the deep waters of CD07 and comes away with two favorites. If Democrats are going to win this race, they’ll need a strong candidate whose views will appeal to voters disillusioned with their tea party Republican … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten – Dance party

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Everyone on the dance floor! 1. Dance – ESG 2. Dance Away – Roxy Music 3. Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung 4. Dance In The Dark – Lady Gaga 5. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching – Laura Marano 6. Dance … Continue reading →

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Interview with John Miller

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Today we come to the end of HCDE week. As I said, there are three candidates running in Position 6, Precinct 1 – there is no Republican candidate, so the winner of the primary has his ticket stamped – but … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Scot “dolli” Dollinger

Posted on February 9, 2018 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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No, the bathroom bill issue hasn’t gone away

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Falkenberg tries to argue that the bathroom bill issue has faded away this election, but I don’t buy it and I don’t think she does, either. But there’s one hot-button issue that’s been notably absent: the bathroom bill. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Judges and more judges

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

For probate court. Judge, County Probate Court No. 2: Michael Newman Candidate Jim Peacock told us that temperament is the key issue in this race, and it’s true that good judges should be courteous, calm and respectful. But whether a … Continue reading →

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Interview with Danyahel Norris

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Board of Trustees of the Harris County Department of Education is comprised of seven members, three At Large and one for each County Commissioner precinct. Republicans have generally held a majority of the positions on the Board, with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

January 2018 finance reports: Harris County legislative candidates

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve looked at Congressional fundraising, now let’s look at some local legislative races. Fran Watson – SD17 Rita Lucido – SD17 Ahmad Hassan – SD17 Natali Hurtado – HD126 Undrai Fizer – HD126 Gina Calanni – HD132 Carlos Pena – … Continue reading →

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Paxton and Paxton, Inc

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

How exactly is this not a conflict of interest? Attorney General Ken Paxton’s political campaign guaranteed a $2 million loan to help his wife fuel her bid for a state Senate seat in North Texas. The Bank of the Ozarks … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 5

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

At long last, the Texas Progressive Alliance will #ReleaseTheBlogRoundup for this week.

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Interview with Elvonte Patton

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Did you know that the Harris County Department of Education serves as the central operations site of the Texas Virtual School Network

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Judicial Q&A: Kris Ougrah

Posted on February 7, 2018 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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Northwest Mall will be your Houston high speed rail terminal

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise. Texas Central Partners and Houston-area elected officials on Monday announced that the company, which is seeking federal approval for a 240-mile high-speed train line, has chosen Northwest Mall near Loop 610 and U.S. 290 as their preferred site. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Medical marijuana is now available in Texas

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

To a very limited number of people, and only under a very strict set of circumstances. Modern medicine has helped Laura Campbell’s 27-year-old daughter, Sierra, fight off many of her persistent seizures. At her peak, Sierra suffered from more than … Continue reading →

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

Interview with Richard Cantu

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Day Two of HCDE Week here. Did you know that the Harris County Department of Education provides Head Start and Early Head Start services to 1,200 children in Harris County? There’s a big need for programs like that, especially … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Cheryl Elliott Thornton

Posted on February 6, 2018 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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More on Tahir Javed

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Raising a lot of money is certainly one way to get noticed in a crowded election field. Twenty-six years ago, a Houston political fixture named Sylvia Garcia ran for Congress. She came up short, placing third in the Democratic primary … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: Sylvia and more

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes the obvious choice in CD29. The frontrunner is clearly state Sen. Sylvia Garcia, the only current elected official on the ballot, who has name identification with this area’s voters that stretches back more than 20 years. The … Continue reading →

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Interview with Josh Wallenstein

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

This week’s interviews are all about the Harris County Department of Education, a body that serves as a co-operative and clearinghouse for the thirty-plus school districts in Harris County, providing programs and purchasing power to make their budgets go farther. … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Paul Simon

Posted on February 5, 2018 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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The women challenging Democratic men

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

One more point of interest from The Cut: And Democratic women aren’t leaving the men of their own party undisturbed. In Minnesota, former FBI analyst Leah Phifer is challenging incumbent Democratic representative Rick Nolan; Sameena Mustafa, a tenant advocate and … Continue reading →

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You can still vote if you have been displaced by Harvey

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Nikki Thomason, one of hundreds of people displaced when her Thornwood neighborhood filled with water, never thought her right to vote could be swept away too. “Angry, angry, you know it’s kind of funny … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for February 4

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

“In a recent review, published online Jan. 10 in the journal Astrobiology, a trio of scientists from the U.S. and Japan posited that viruses may be spread across interplanetary space. Those researchers want to convince astrobiologists to devote more time … Continue reading →

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January 2018 campaign finance reports: Congress

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here are the Q2 finance reports, here are the Q3 finance reports, and here’s the FEC summary page for Democratic Congressional candidates in Texas. The Trib summarizes some of the highlights. For many Texas congressional races, Wednesday was the most … Continue reading →

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