Author Archives: Charles Kuffner

Precinct analysis: Looking back at the 2012 landscape

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: State House 2022 We’ve had our first look at the way the new State House districts performed, and while we can expect the 2024 election to be a little different, it’s clear at this time that there aren’t many … Continue reading →

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Abortion funds go back to work

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Glad to see it, but I’m waiting for another shoe to drop. Some abortion advocacy nonprofit groups have resumed paying for Texans to get abortions out of state after a court ruling last month. These groups, called abortion funds, stopped … Continue reading →

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“More Space: Main Street” permanently extended

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

A good outcome for a good idea. Houston will close down traffic on seven blocks of Main Street permanently to allow businesses to maintain outdoor seating spaces initially established during the COVID-19 pandemic, with plans to expand the concept to other commercial strips in … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for March 26

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

“Sending new moms to prison has devastating consequences. Some states are starting to rethink the practice.” “Fox may be forced to read an apology on air or something, but the audience still loves the product. It’s basically the W.W.E. for … Continue reading →

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The upcoming week in legislative gay-bashing

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox, from Equality Texas: Monday, 3/27 Action Alerts & Upcoming Hearings HB 1686, the companion bill to SB 14, would ban trans youth from access to health care. We cannot let this pass. The hearing for HB 1686 begins … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Preferred path decision for University BRT line delayed

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Still working out some issues with the community. A decision on the preferred path for Houston’s longest bus rapid transit line will wait a couple weeks longer following community outcry regarding a planned railroad overpass. Metropolitan Transit Authority’s board of … Continue reading →

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The vinyl renaissance

Posted on March 26, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not surprised by this and definitely pleased by it, though I have a little secret to confess. After Dave Ritz came back to Houston from serving in the U.S. Army — working in a Saigon, Vietnam, radio station — … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

There will still be HISD Trustee elections this fall

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Just a reminder, in case you needed it. Although the state is preparing to appoint a board of managers this summer, local elections for Houston ISD trustees will still be held as scheduled in November. The Texas Education Agency announced plans to replace … Continue reading →

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New frontiers in propaganda

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We are at the forefront, because of course we are. Readers of the daily email newsletter of one of the country’s leading right-wing, fossil fuel-funded think tanks were treated to a bizarre sight [last] week: an AI-generated image of a … Continue reading →

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Whole Woman’s Health opens its New Mexico clinic

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

A little bittersweet, I have to say. One of the largest independent abortion providers in the nation opened a new clinic in New Mexico on Thursday, nearly nine months after it shuttered its clinics in Texas after the U.S. Supreme … Continue reading →

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Don’t forget the teachers

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I hope the Board of Managers has a plan for this. Teachers had been shuffling in and out of Traci Latson’s classroom all day the first day back from spring break, trying to make sense of the news that broke … Continue reading →

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

The drones of Pearland

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I mean, we’ll see. Certainly the Pearland Police Department will see lots of things. Pearland’s police department has become the nation’s first law enforcement agency to win Federal Aviation Administration approval to use a system in which drones controlled from … Continue reading →

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Dispatches from Dallas, March 24 edition

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

This is a weekly feature produced by my friend Ginger. Let us know what you think. This week in DFW: A run of school violence including a fatal school shooting, in DFW area schools; a former president comes to Waco … Continue reading →

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This is not how you win hearts and minds

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know what the TEA hoped to accomplish with its public outreach meetings about the HISD takeover, but it probably wasn’t this. Houston community members were irate Tuesday night as state education officials tried to explain the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

More Senate 2024 talk

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Make of this what you will. Texas Democratic voters will head to the polls in less than a year to decide which candidate they’d like to see challenge Sen. Ted Cruz in his reelection bid, but at the moment the … Continue reading →

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A few words about Lee Kaplan

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I mean, I dunno. During the early stages of a mayoral race, polls carry little significance and every candidate says they are organizing a diverse coalition of supporters. There often is only one indicator to differentiate contenders from also-rans: money. Fundraising enables … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of March 20

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance can’t believe that two top seeds were knocked out before the Sweet 16 as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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On being on the Board of Managers

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

When the TEA takeover of HISD was officially announced, I noted that the coverage included a link back to a list of people who had applied for the Board of Managers in 2019. I noted that there were some familiar … Continue reading →

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Oklahoma Supreme Court upholds abortion rights

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Of interest, for obvious reasons. A divided Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a portion of the state’s near-total ban on abortion, ruling women have a right to abortion when pregnancy risks their health, not just in a medical emergency. … Continue reading →

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Watch out for your electric bill

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Noting this for the record. As Texans continue paying off the costs of the deadly 2021 winter storm, state lawmakers are considering a Republican-backed proposal that would allow for more frequent rate hikes and prevent cities from challenging the increases. Supporters of Senate … Continue reading →

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The Book-Loving Texan’s Guide to the May 2023 School Board Elections

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Very much of interest. Introduction Basic Background: The Way to Win This is the third cycle I’ve made this document, and I bring you good news: it is very possible to avoid a pro-censorship school board takeover, even in deep … Continue reading →

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The state’s requirements for HISD

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s their job to make it happen. After forging ahead with a takeover of the Houston Independent School District, state leaders have outlined three conditions that must be met before transferring power back to the elected school board, a process that will likely … Continue reading →

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

We finally have a reason for the timid police response in Uvalde

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It was because the shooter was using an AR-15, and the cops didn’t want to get slaughtered. Almost a year after Texas’ deadliest school shooting killed 19 children and two teachers, there is still confusion among investigators, law enforcement leaders … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: State House 2022

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We have data. Texas Democrats and Republicans are beginning to gear up for a presidential election cycle in which opportunities to flip seats for Congress and the Legislature appear limited. It’s a natural outcome after Republicans redrew legislative and congressional … Continue reading →

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More on the Denton experience with marijuana decriminalization

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

A long story from the Dallas Observer. Nick Stevens stood before the Denton City Council looking equally frustrated and determined. The activist had helped to lead the grassroots charge to decriminalize marijuana in the North Texas college town. Now he … Continue reading →

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Commissioners Court supplements Public Defender budget and supports adding more courts

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good moves. Harris County Commissioners Court this week approved a package of public safety measures to support state legislation to create additional district courts, expand the county’s holistic assistance response team program and look at enlarging the public defender’s office. The measures are … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for March 19

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

“In other words: Christian advocacy group accuses Conservative and Reform Jews of lying about their own religious dogma. This will end well.” “Netflix TV users can now customize the appearance of subtitles and closed captions on the streaming platform, allowing … Continue reading →

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Federal complaint filed over TEA takeover

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see if it can have an effect. The Greater Houston Coalition for Justice this week filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education alleging that Texas is discriminating against Houston schoolchildren by taking over the majority-minority school district. … Continue reading →

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Uvalde families ask to be added to the public information lawsuit against DPS

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

A direct response to the Uvalde County DA and her questionable claims. Some Uvalde families of victims who were killed or injured during the massacre at Robb Elementary School last year have asked a judge to add them as plaintiffs … Continue reading →

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More World Cup events on tap for 2026

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Cool. The 2026 World Cup soccer tournament is expanding by 24 games, and Houston is prepared to handle any added games. FIFA voted Tuesday for a change in format to the 48-team event by adding games. The total of 104 … Continue reading →

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Asking the feds to stop the TEA takeover

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Can’t hurt to ask. U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee said Thursday she is seeking federal government intervention to halt the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of the Houston Independent School District. Jackson Lee said she has been in contact with the … Continue reading →

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SCOTx denies pre-election challenge to San Antonio marijuana reform referendum

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

First the voters will vote, then as needed the lawsuits will happen. The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that any legal challenges to a proposed charter amendment on policing reforms must wait until after voters weigh in on the measure … Continue reading →

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Harris County creates reproductive health access fund

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Good. In a bid to protect residents’ already restricted access to reproductive health care, Harris County officials voted to approve a proposed fund to go toward Harris County Public Health and smaller community organizations at Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting. The … Continue reading →

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So now we start processing what happened and what will happen with the TEA takeover

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron editorial board points to three key items. Still, if this takeover must happen — and Texas Education Agency announced Wednesday that it is indeed happening — we want it to work. Houston’s schoolchildren don’t have time for another … Continue reading →

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