Monthly Archives: January 2021

Time for our biennial hope for better pot laws

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Don’t get your hopes too high. (Sorry, not sorry.) Five years after Texas legalized medical marijuana for people with debilitating illnesses, advocates and industry experts say the state’s strict rules, red tape and burdensome barriers to entry have left the … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: Sheriff 2020 and 2016

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities District Attorney County Attorney Behold your 2020 vote champion in Harris … Continue reading →

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Sheriff Gonzalez hires jail administrator

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. A former state jail inspector will oversee Harris County’s jail, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced Wednesday. Shannon Herklotz, who worked for the Texas Commision on Jail Standards for more than 20 years, began serving as the jail’s chief of detentions … Continue reading →

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A parting gift of pollution

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Gee, thanks. Texas may soon get authority over the disposal of ash from coal-fired power plants, a change that could insulate coal companies from tougher rules expected under a Biden administration. A proposal introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency … Continue reading →

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Early voting for HD68 special election starts today

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Assume this will go to a runoff. Four Republicans and one Democrat have filed for the special election to replace state Sen.-elect Drew Springer, R-Muenster, in the Texas House. The filing deadline for the Jan. 23 election was 5 p.m. … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for January 10

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

“Which Side Are You On?” “Train your children to think of mass-death as good and thrilling and they’ll grow up to be the kind of people who simultaneously deny and celebrate a global pandemic.” “There is no reason, frankly, for … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 2 Comments

You can’t escape your culpability, Ted

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The stench will be on you forever, Ted. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has sharpened his criticism of President Donald Trump, saying the president’s rhetoric “certainly contributed to the violence that occurred” as Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Assistance for renters coming

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Good, but of course much more is needed. Houston officials expect to get up to $70 million in federal stimulus funds to help renters in the city make their monthly payments and use toward other housing expenses. The $900 billion … Continue reading →

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Taking the STAAR online

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

If we’re going to have the thing, then this makes sense. Texas education officials want all public school students to take state-required standardized tests digitally by 2022, an effort that could cost school districts millions more collectively each year, according … Continue reading →

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On prosecuting the insurrectionists

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This is a good start. While federal prosecutors in the nation’s capital will likely tackle the bulk of criminal charges for the perpetrators of Wednesday’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Ryan K. Patrick is among a growing number of U.S. … Continue reading →

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The Republican war against Harris County

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

To be fair, it’s not just Harris County that’s in the crosshairs, it’s the big urban counties, and cities in general. But it’s real and it’s dangerous and it’s anti-democratic. Republicans in the Texas Legislature are gearing up to bar … Continue reading →

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NCAA finalizes single-site March Madness

Posted on January 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome to Indianapolis, assuming anyone is allowed to attend, which honestly they shouldn’t as things are right now. The NCAA will host its entire postseason men’s basketball tournament in Indianapolis and surrounding areas with a bubble-like format, officials announced on … Continue reading →

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What to do about Ted and Kenny?

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

You wouldn’t think it would be possible for Ted Cruz to become more loathesome, but if you think that you seriously underestimate him. Two nights before the Electoral College certification in Congress, Ted Cruz was in vintage form. The junior … Continue reading →

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CM Jackson’s residency questioned

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve gotta be kidding me. The election in Houston city council’s District B was put on hold for a year as courts addressed whether one of the two finalists for the seat, Cynthia Bailey, was eligible to run for office. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Coronavirus 2.0

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Happy New Year. The first known case of a new and possibly more contagious coronavirus strain has been reported in Texas, in an adult male resident of Harris County who had no history of travel, according to the state health … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Impeach him again

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This is Donald Trump’s fault. All of it, though he did have plenty of assistance. Impeach him again, convict him this time, and then arrest him on the way out the door. There had been a call for censure before … Continue reading →

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Dems go two for two in Georgia

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

It’s hard to talk about anything else, given the violent debacle in Washington yesterday, but the two Democratic Senate candidates in Georgia won their runoff elections, giving control of the Senate to the Democrats, and putting an emphatic final exclamation … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

More COVID restrictions are about to happen in Harris County

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Blame Greg Abbott and the virus, in whatever order you prefer. Houston and its surrounding communities on Tuesday became the latest region to require new emergency restrictions after seven straight days of ballooning coronavirus hospitalizations. The rollback, mandated under Gov. … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of January 4

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance recognizes this weird feeling it has as “hope” as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Another way Ken Paxton is costing you money

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

He’s something else, this guy. Texas may pay tens of millions of dollars to outside attorneys hired to handle a major lawsuit against Google — money the state did not plan to spend before a scandal enveloped Texas Attorney General … Continue reading →

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HISD Superintendent search is back on

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

For now, anyway. Houston ISD trustees kicked off their long-delayed search for a permanent leader Monday, choosing three superintendent search firms to interview later this week. The initial move comes as the state’s largest district seeks to fill a position … Continue reading →

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Waiting for our bike trail bridge to be fixed

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Of interest mostly in my neighborhood, but it’s my blog, so. Bike riders who pedal through the Heights will need to keep burning calories past a key connection closed by fire in the region’s growing trail system. Just in time … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: County Attorney 2020 and 2016

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities District Attorney The office of County Attorney gets less attention than … Continue reading →

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The Senate outlines its opening plans

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Seems inadequate to me, but what do I know? All Texas senators attending the opening day of the 2021 legislative session will be tested for the coronavirus and media and public access to the chamber will be limited, Lt. Gov. … Continue reading →

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There is a website for COVID vaccine signups in Houston

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

You can’t use it right now, but it’s there. Houston’s Health Department launched an online portal for residents to apply for an appointment at its COVID-19 vaccine clinic Monday but quickly ran out of available slots for the remainder of … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Precinct analysis: District Attorney 2020 and 2016

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities We move on now to the county executive office races for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

It still looks grim in the Houston area

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Brace yourselves. As Houston left 2020 in the rearview mirror, the coronavirus continued to spread throughout the region unchecked, with some of the highest positivity rates since the start of the pandemic. And that spike will only continue to climb, … Continue reading →

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State Capitol reopens to the public today

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

From Twitter: . The State Preservation Board releases protocols for the reopening of the Texas Capitol set for Monday #txlege — Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) 07:08 PM – 02 January 2021 The Capitol grounds had reopened three weeks ago, but the … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for January 3

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome to 2021. It’s got to be better, right? Here’s your Jon Swift Memorial Roundup for 2020. “JPS Health Network is experiencing something of a quarantine baby boom, seeing as many as three times the number of babies born in … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ted Cruz says “Look at me! Look at meeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Also, “Look at me!” Continuing to pursue unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and some of his fellow GOP senators announced they would vote to reject the certification of Electoral College votes for the presidential election … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

So is anyone going to try to collect Dan Patrick’s reward money?

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a nice little research paper for you: On November 10, 2020, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick put out a press release stating, in relevant part, “[S]tarting today [I] will pay up to $1 million to incentivize, encourage and reward … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Still waiting on that sewer consent decree

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Should be ready soon, once the federal court signs off on it. Help finally could be on the way in the form of an agreement between the city of Houston and the Environmental Protection Agency aimed at upgrading the city’s … Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit bats aside Gohmert appeal

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

In case you were wondering… . The Fifth Circuit cuts everything short on the stupid Gohmert suit with these brutal disposition. A very conservative panel btw. — Raffi Melkonian (@RMFifthCircuit) 07:32 PM – 02 January 2021 . I’m sitting here … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Gohmert lawsuit tossed

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

As expected. A judge dismissed a lawsuit from Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, that was aimed at Vice President Mike Pence, seeking to put the authority to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s election win in the vice president’s hands. U.S. District Court … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments