Monthly Archives: August 2019

We have a new SOS

Yippie. After losing his last chief election officer over a botched review of the state’s voter rolls, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday appointed a new secretary of state: Ruth Ruggero Hughs. Ruggero Hughs is moving from the Texas Workforce Commission, … Continue reading

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“Coordinated cyberattack” on several Texas cities

That doesn’t sound good. Twenty-three Texas towns have been struck by a “coordinated” ransomware attack, according to the state’s Department of Information Resources. Ransomware is a type of malicious software, often delivered via email, that locks up an organization’s systems … Continue reading

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Special election set for HD148

Straight from the source. Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, November 5, 2019 as the special election date to fill the Texas House of Representatives District 148 seat recently vacated by former Representative Jessica Farrar. Candidates who … Continue reading

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HISD has a lawsuit against the TEA over that ethics investigation

I missed the first act of this story, but that’s okay because this is where it gets interesting. Lawyers for Houston ISD’s school board are seeking to stop the Texas Education Agency from replacing the district’s elected trustees following a … Continue reading

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

The Bonnen-MQS saga makes the Times

Gotta love it when our little intramural squabbles go national. In Texas, they are calling it the case of “The Speaker and the Creeper.” The political imbroglio started last month, when Michael Quinn Sullivan, a conservative pit bull who routinely … Continue reading

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Interview with Tiffany Thomas

We move now to District F, a district that will have its fourth Council member since 2013 with the departure of controversial first-term member Steve Le. Six people are lined up to compete for this open seat, many of whom … Continue reading

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We await HISD’s fate

I mean, I think we know what it’s going to be, but there are still some questions. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath came to and left the Greater Houston area Thursday without addressing one of the biggest issues on his agenda: the … Continue reading

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

City moves forward on Vision Zero

Good. Mayor Sylvester Turner on Tuesday adopted a plan that aims to end traffic fatalities and serious traffic injuries in Houston by 2030. The “Vision Zero Houston” plan is considered a significant step in the city’s mobility strategy and will … Continue reading

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Weekend link dump for August 18

The “Bin Laden” bill is finally going out of circulation. “A multibillion-dollar business that embraces advanced technology and cherishes precision, Major League Baseball would prefer not to need an oozy substance harvested by one family in a secret location along … Continue reading

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

Beto is still not running for Senate

Sorry, y’all. Beto O’Rourke will return to the presidential campaign trail Thursday for the first time since the Aug. 3 massacre of 22 people at a Walmart in his hometown by a suspect who told police he was hunting “Mexicans” … Continue reading

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Rep. Dustin Burrows steps down as House GOP Caucus Chair

Noted for the record. State Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock has resigned as chair of the Texas House GOP Caucus, according to two people familiar with the matter. Burrows’ departure comes amid allegations that he and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen … Continue reading

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On to the next big financial issue for the city

It’s always something. Four years ago, the main source of Houston’s deteriorating financial health — billions of dollars in unfunded pension obligations — loomed over the race for mayor, promising a massive test for the winner. Now, Mayor Sylvester Turner, … Continue reading

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State Rep. Jessica Farrar departs

This was unexpected. State Rep. Jessica Farrar, a Houston Democrat who has served in the Texas House for over two decades, is retiring from the lower chamber at the end of September. “I want to thank my constituents and the … Continue reading

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Once again with GOP anxiety

I recommend Xanax. Or, you know, marijuana. I’ve heard that’s good for anxiety. Republicans have long idealized Texas as a deep-red frontier state, home to rural conservatives who love President Donald Trump. But political turbulence in the sprawling suburbs and … Continue reading

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A call to embrace scooters

Chron business writer Chris Tomlinson is a fan of scooters. After years of riding bicycles in traffic, I’m comfortable riding a scooter on the street where they belong. I find them a convenient and environmentally-friendly alternative to automobile congestion. But … Continue reading

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

HISD misses on accountability ratings

There’s now a second reason for the TEA to step in and take over HISD. Houston ISD moved a major step closer to temporarily losing local control over its school board Thursday, as long-awaited state academic accountability ratings showed one … Continue reading

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Tzintzún Ramirez gets off to a quick start

Impressive. Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez raked in more than $200,000 in the 24 hours after she announced her run for Senate, her campaign said today — giving her a quick start as she tries to catch up to the several other … Continue reading

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Special election set in HD28

Looks like I was a bit confused about this. Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday set a Nov. 5 special election to fill the Texas House seat being vacated by state Rep. John Zerwas, who last month announced he would retire … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

July 2019 campaign finance reports: HISD and HCC

One last look at July finance reports. I’m lumping together reports for HISD and HCC, in part because there’s some crossover, and in part because there’s not all that much to these. As always, refer to the Erik Manning candidate … Continue reading

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Metro referendum is set

Here we go. Metropolitan Transit Authority board members voted Tuesday to ask voters in November for permission to borrow up to $3.5 billion, without raising taxes. The money would cover the first phase of what local leaders expect to be … Continue reading

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CD23 update

The Rivard Report takes a look at the state of play in CD23 following Rep. Will Hurd’s surprise retirement. In the wake of Hurd’s announcement, former U.S. Navy officer Tony Gonzales, a Republican, has entered the race. Gonzales was not … Continue reading

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Texas blog roundup for the week of August 12

The Texas Progressive Alliance stands with the people of El Paso as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Cynthia Reyes-Revilla

We continue today with another interview in District H, where first-term incumbent Karla Cisneros has drawn two challengers so far (the filing deadline is Sunday, so we’ll see if there are others). Cynthia Reyes-Revilla was the first candidate to enter … Continue reading

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Back to the Beto question

As in, should Beto abandon his run for President and come back to Texas to make another run for Senate? The Chron says Yes. There are times, it seems, in most presidential campaigns when the facades get stripped away like … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

So what’s the goal of a TEA takeover of HISD?

The history of TEA takeovers of school districts is mixed, so we ought to be clear about what the forthcoming takeover of HISD is supposed to do. In recent years, districts subject to state-appointed boards successfully have balanced budgets and … Continue reading

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Five for Senate

Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez is in. Leading Latina organizer Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez is launching a campaign for U.S. Senate, entering a Democratic primary to oust Republican John Cornyn that has steadily grown throughout the summer. The daughter of an immigrant mother, … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Here come the Rangers

I don’t know where this is going to go, but it sure will be fun getting there. The Texas House General Investigating Committee voted Monday to request that the Texas Rangers look into allegations against House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and … Continue reading

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Revisiting City Council redistricting

This would be interesting. At Wednesday’s council meeting, District E Councilmember Dave Martin said the city should consider redrawing city council district boundaries, particularly in his own district. District E includes two far-flung suburbs, Kingwood and Clear Lake. Martin said … Continue reading

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Interview with Isabel Longoria

As I’ve said before, I’m going to be doing a limited set of interviews this fall, with some more likely to follow for the runoffs. (Which will then blend right into the 2020 primaries, but that’s a whole ‘nother thing.) … Continue reading

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Astros to extend netting

Glad to hear it. The Astros are joining the growing list of Major League baseball teams that are extending protective netting around ballparks amid growing concern over fan safety. The team’s decision to extend netting beyond each dugout at Minute … Continue reading

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Some flood mitigation funds are coming

Good. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Houston its first grant aimed at mitigating flooding since Hurricane Harvey hit nearly two years ago, laying the groundwork for new gates on the Lake Houston dam and detention basins in Inwood … Continue reading

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Weekend link dump for August 11

“What lawyers can learn about criminal liability from Beavis and Butthead“. Phree the Phanatic! What “doing life together” really means. More than you wanted to know about the spinning wheels used on game shows. Reconsidering Tracy Flick, the actual heroine … Continue reading

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 3 Comments

Emerson’s weird polls

It’s a poll, so we do the thing. A new poll has former Vice President Joe Biden leading Beto O’Rourke in the Texas presidential primary and toppling Donald Trump in a head-to-head showdown. The survey, conducted by Emerson College for … Continue reading

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Previous interviews with current candidates

I’ve said a few times that I’m going to be doing just a few interviews this fall. I will start publishing them tomorrow. I may pick up some more for the runoffs, but for now my schedule just does not … Continue reading

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