Author Archives: Charles Kuffner

Justice Department follows up with Tarrant County

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Officials at the U.S. Department of Justice have committed to meeting with Tarrant County’s top Democrats to discuss the letter they sent requesting an investigation into voting rights. The Democrats, under the lead of U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Texa blog roundup for the week of June 12

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is still highlighting passages in a certain federal indictment document as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texa blog roundup for the week of June 12

Of course Dan Patrick has a Ken Paxton conflict of interest

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Why wouldn’t he? Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has cast Attorney General Ken Paxton’s upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate as like a real-world courtroom, with senators sitting as jurors and Patrick serving as judge. “Would you go to a judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Allred begins campaigning

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Go get started early. Democrats were ecstatic when U.S. Rep. Colin Allred announced his bid against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican they have come closest to beating in more than two decades of GOP dominance in statewide elections. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Allred begins campaigning

Oligarch nuisance lawsuit against Beto finally tossed

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Sure took long enough. A state appeals court dismissed Republican megadonor Kelcy Warren’s defamation lawsuit against Beto O’Rourke, ruling Friday that statements by the 2022 Democratic nominee for governor were protected by the First Amendment. The Austin-based 3rd Court of … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Statewide COVID disaster declaration to end

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s nothing to celebrate. Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday he will not renew Texas’ long-running COVID-19 disaster declaration later this week after he signed a law that bans local mandates related to the pandemic. Abbott has kept the disaster declaration … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege, The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Statewide COVID disaster declaration to end

Here’s another lawsuit filed by Uvalde parents

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

That’s at least four, by my count. In the latest lawsuit over the Uvalde school shooting, 30 family members, teachers and others are suing the manufacturer of the rifle the gunman used, the gun store where he collected it and … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Here’s another lawsuit filed by Uvalde parents

Please get an mpox vaccine if you are at risk

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s avoid a summer surge. On the heels of a cluster of new mpox infections in Chicago this month, the CDC is urging at-risk populations to get fully vaccinated. One year ago Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control released its … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

City passes Mayor Turner’s final budget

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Get ready, whoever is up next. Houston city staff will see pay raises, money will go toward sidewalk repairs and residents won’t have to maintain their own drainage ditches anymore. All are part of the $6.2 billion budget that passed through Houston … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

State will use eminent domain to reclaim Fairfield State Park

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Game on. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department voted unanimously to use eminent domain to seize a 5,000-acre property south of Dallas that included Fairfield Lake State Park on Saturday, citing the need to preserve a state park enjoyed by … Continue reading →

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

Who’s paying for Paxton’s defense?

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

A popular question. Suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton has retained for his upcoming Senate impeachment trial two top Houston defense attorneys, who will be assisted by six of his employees who took leaves of absence to help, including four of … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for June 11

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

This story about two women at a small Division III school who saved their college’s golf team even though they were both non-golfers is delightful and a little deranged. Ray Ratto’s summary is also a hoot. “The 14th Amendment particularly … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

Will the SCOTUS ruling on Alabama redistricting affect Texas?

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start here. In a surprise win for voting rights activists, the U.S. Supreme Court breathed new life into the Civil Rights Act and may have paved the way to end Texas’s gerrymandered district. The case, Allen v. Milligan, came … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Will the SCOTUS ruling on Alabama redistricting affect Texas?

IRS complaint filed against True the Vote

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s go! Conservative activists Catherine Engelbrecht and Gregg Phillips used the nonprofit True the Vote to enrich themselves, according to a complaint filed to the IRS. On Monday, the nonprofit watchdog group Campaign for Accountability called for an investigation into True … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on IRS complaint filed against True the Vote

Bexar County Sheriff’s Office files charges related to Florida immigration relocation stunt

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Update of interest. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says it has completed its investigation into the transport of 49 migrants from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard last September by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and filed criminal charges with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nate Paul arrested by feds

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Well, well, well. Nate Paul, the Austin real estate developer central to allegations of illegal conduct by Ken Paxton, Texas’ now-suspended attorney general, was arrested by the FBI on Thursday. Paul was booked into the Travis County Jail at 4:25 … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The first Board of Managers meeting

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It was raucous, and that won’t be the last time. New Superintendent Mike Miles’ interim contract was approved Thursday in a lively inaugural meeting of HISD’s new Board of Managers, over the objections of at least 150 students, parents, teachers and civil rights groups … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Fairfield developers accuse state of lying about buying the park property

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Getting spicy out there. While state officials are planning to vote Saturday on whether to attempt to use eminent domain to claim Fairfield Lake State Park, the Dallas-based developer who now owns the land wants Texans to know that the … Continue reading →

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

We’re starting to hear from the Managers of the Board

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Bits and piece, dribbles and drabs. New Houston ISD board of managers members are pledging to earn families’ trust amid outcry from segments of the community who view board members as little more than rubber stamps for state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles. The public will get … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

City settles dumping complaint with Justice Department

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston will not face punishment after settling a Justice Department probe into whether the city’s system of responding to illegal dumping calls violated the Civil Rights Act by disregarding Black and Latino neighborhoods. Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration reached a three-year voluntary resolution with … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on City settles dumping complaint with Justice Department

Big XII remains “open” to more expansion

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe they’ll eventually call themselves the Big XVI. The Big 12 is open to further expansion, commissioner Brett Yormark said Friday, as the league prepares to welcome four new members, including the University of Houston, on July 1. Expansion was … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Big XII remains “open” to more expansion

Dispatches from Dallas, June 9 edition

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

This is a weekly feature produced by my friend Ginger. Let us know what you think. This week in news from DFW, we have a grab bag. Who’s in and out in the Democratic primary for CD-32; Collin County is … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Dispatches from Dallas, June 9 edition

Buzbee will do Paxton’s defense

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Sure, why not? Tony Buzbee, a high-profile and boisterously outspoken Houston attorney who defended former Gov. Rick Perry against abuse-of-office charges, will lead suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s legal defense team in his impeachment trial. Buzbee had said on his … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Federal judge halts Florida’s ban on gender affirming care

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Hopefully, a preview of our future. A federal judge delivered a stinging rebuke to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature over rules and a new state law that banned minors from receiving “puberty blockers” and other types of … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Federal judge halts Florida’s ban on gender affirming care

Miles picks a team

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

He keeps moving, I’m trying to keep up. Newly appointed Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles‘ first cabinet selections include a mix of HISD staff members, former employees of his charter school network, administrators from across Texas and educational analysts. Miles’ … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of June 5

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is stocking up on impeachment GIFs as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of June 5

A Paxton threefer

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Law professor Quinn Yeargain points out something I’ve not seen discussed elsewhere. But for both ambitious Texas politicians waiting in the wings and eagle-eyed election observers, one of the most important questions is likely who will succeed Paxton if he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fairfield State Park closes again

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

What a rollercoaster. For the second time this year, the state has closed Fairfield Lake State Park after it was unable to negotiate the purchase of the property from a developer. After several attempts to save the 1,820-acre park, Texas … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fairfield State Park closes again

Ashby 2.0 gets sued

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s party like it’s 2007, baby! Just when the 16-year battle over the proposed Ashby high-rise site in Boulevard Oaks appeared to drawing to a close, opponents have filed a lawsuit that again puts the fate of the project into … Continue reading →

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

Paxton not feeling the love in Collin County

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Poor baby. When the Texas House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton in the waning days of a regular legislative session, some Texans were shocked that the 121 “yes” votes included every representative from Collin County, … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Second contender for CD32 announces

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

With more to come, I’m sure.  Justin Moore’s website is here, his Facebook page is here, and you can see that announcement as a Twitter thread here. No news stories that I have seen yet, I got this via … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Expanding HART

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good to see. More of Harris County’s 911 calls will be diverted to a mental health crisis team instead of law enforcement officers after a year-long pilot program in a handful of neighborhoods handled thousands of non-violent incidents. Since March … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Expanding HART

Two 2024 polls

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I know, it’s all ridiculously early, but what the heck. Here’s poll #1. The 2024 election is still more than a year out, but a new poll by the University of Texas at Tyler shows Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Converting empty downtown office space into residences

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Something to think about. Across the country, office-to-housing conversions are being pursued as a potential lifeline for struggling downtown business districts that emptied out during the coronavirus pandemic and may never fully recover. The conversion push is marked by an emphasis on affordability. Multiple … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment