Category Archives: Local politics

Harris County goes shopping for new voting machines

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time. Harris County formally has begun searching for a new voting machine model with the aim of debuting the devices in a 2021 election, County Clerk Diane Trautman announced Tuesday. Speaking at the International Association of Government Officials trade … Continue reading →

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Mediation 3.0

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Third time’s the charm, right? The Houston firefighters union and Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration will return to mediation Aug. 1 in the hopes of working out a new contract amid a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Proposition B. The ballot … Continue reading →

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What can the county do about ethics?

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe something. Maybe not. Who can tell? Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis has proposed two ethics reforms he says are needed to improve transparency in county government, though Texas counties’ limited rule-making power may scuttle his plan. Commissioners … Continue reading →

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We have a consent decree

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It appears to be a done deal. Houston would add $2 billion to its planned sewer system improvements over the next 15 years under a proposed deal with state and federal regulators that is expected to produce higher water bills … Continue reading →

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A preview of the joint primary

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Like Campos and John Coby, I recently had the opportunity to visit the Harris County Clerk and get a preview of the proposed joint primary. Coby describes it in some detail, with pictures, so I won’t duplicate his effort. Basically, … Continue reading →

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By the way, Commissioners Court updated the county’s nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. The Commissioners Court voted 3-2 along party lines to [add sexual orientation and gender identity to the county’s nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies]. County Judge Lina Hidalgo, along with Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia — all Democrats — voted … Continue reading →

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By the way, City Council passed the budget

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

In the end, this was pretty boring. Which is a good thing. Houston city council approved Mayor Sylvester Turner’s $5.1 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year with little commotion Wednesday, authorizing a spending plan that was scrambled at the … Continue reading →

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Joint primaries

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Another potential change to how we vote is in the works. Harris County primary voters could see a big change at the polls in 2020 if local party leaders agree on a new proposal. Under the current system, voters go … Continue reading →

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Prop B layoffs rescinded

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

No Prop B, no need for layoffs. Funny how that works. Houston City Council on Wednesday formally reversed the 220 firefighter layoffs and hundreds of demotions it approved earlier this year, making official Mayor Sylvester Turner’s pledge not to lay … Continue reading →

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Moving ahead with voting centers

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The first time was a success, so we’re going to keep using them. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted unanimously to apply for state approval to expand the use of countywide polling places to general elections. County Clerk Diane … Continue reading →

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Fee collecting time

Posted on May 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Worthwhile effort, but keep expectations modest. Harris County has an $80 million backlog of uncollected civil court fees dating back to the 1980s, new District Clerk Marilyn Burgess said, prompting her office to launch an aggressive collection effort. Burgess said … Continue reading →

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The state of the city 2019

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

There are still things to do that don’t have to do with the endless fight over Prop B. Mayor Sylvester Turner used his fourth annual State of the City address Monday to announce a plan aimed at drawing private investment … Continue reading →

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No arbitration

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

And we’re on to the next phase of the firefighter pay battle. The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association on Tuesday asked Mayor Sylvester Turner to enter arbitration to settle its ongoing labor dispute with the city, a request the mayor … Continue reading →

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Double dipping

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

You almost have to admire the nerve. Houston’s highest-paid city council staffer has continued to collect his $119,600 salary despite being out of the state in a U.S. Army military law training program since January. Daniel Albert, chief of staff … Continue reading →

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Census outreach

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I am puzzled why this is controversial. A divided city council on Wednesday approved a $650,000 contract aimed at boosting the number of Houston residents who participate in the 2020 census, a measure that generated partisan debate in which some … Continue reading →

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Firefighters get Prop B back pay

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. The city of Houston on Friday issued lump-sum paychecks to more than 3,900 firefighters, a move Mayor Sylvester Turner said reflects the implementation, retroactive to Jan. 1, of Proposition B, the measure granting firefighters the same pay … Continue reading →

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The firefighters have a new enemy

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a renewable resource. Houston City Councilman David Robinson said he returned $7,500 in campaign contributions from the city’s firefighter union because of ethical concerns. Robinson was one of two council members who said they received text messages from Houston Professional Fire … Continue reading →

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Here’s the Mayor’s budget

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A lot of people won’t like it, but this is what happens when you heap a big expense on top of an already tight fiscal situation. Mayor Sylvester Turner on Tuesday proposed to close Houston’s $179 million budget gap for … Continue reading →

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Mediation fails to achieve Prop B agreement

Posted on May 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Friday said a court-appointed mediator has declared negotiations between the city and firefighters union over the implementation of Proposition B at impasse, potentially leaving the future of … Continue reading →

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Another view of pollution enforcement

Posted on May 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The state has its role, but it’s not all on them. Almost two months before a massive chemical fire erupted in Deer Park, sending a dark plume of smoke over much of Harris County, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia asked … Continue reading →

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Layoffs and demotions

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I’m so ready for this to be resolved. Houston firefighters have started to receive layoff notices amid the implementation of Proposition B, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton said in a statement Wednesday. Houston City Council voted last … Continue reading →

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Meet the new marriage license

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Time for a change. A sketched portrait of a bride and groom has been nixed from Harris County-issued marriage licenses to make the records more inclusive to “all unions, backgrounds and faiths,” according to clerk officials. The ornate image of … Continue reading →

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Council approves firefighter layoffs

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

And here we are. City Council voted Wednesday to send 60-day layoff notices to 220 Houston firefighters to help pay for Proposition B, the voter-approved measure giving firefighters equal pay to police officers of corresponding rank and experience. The 10-6 … Continue reading →

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Off to mediation we go

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Hope for the best, y’all. Mediation soon will begin in a lawsuit between the Houston police and firefighters unions over Proposition B, the voter-approved measure that gives firefighters equal pay to police officers. In a Monday morning filing, State District … Continue reading →

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Wolfe censured by HCDE

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A new episode of the Michael Wolfe reality show. Harris County Department of Education’s board voted to censure Trustee Michael Wolfe over sexual harassment allegations hours after a state district judge denied his request for a temporary restraining order. Trustees … Continue reading →

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What will Council do about Prop B layoffs?

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We’re gonna find out. Mayor Sylvester Turner told the Houston fire union Monday he would provide it with financial data leaders requested, a sign of progress at a critical point in negotiations between the mayor and union to phase in … Continue reading →

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We’re gonna need a bigger meeting room

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Seems reasonable. With a newfound public interest in Harris County Commissioners Court meetings, which at times have been so crowded that would-be attendees have been turned away, court members plan to build a larger chamber. Commissioners Court [asked] County Engineer … Continue reading →

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Is there a city/firefighters agreement in the works?

Posted on April 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

They’re talking, for whatever it’s worth. Officials from the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association said Friday they would seek union members’ approval of a 3.5-year phase-in of Proposition B if the city meets certain conditions. After meeting with the union … Continue reading →

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Was the McLeod replacement too hasty?

Posted on April 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Eh, I dunno. Republican members of Harris County Commissioners Court criticized their Democratic colleagues for quickly approving a new civil court judge at Tuesday’s meeting who had not been vetted by the full body. The three Democrats voted to appoint … Continue reading →

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Commissioners Court replaces Judge McLeod

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Unfortunate, but understandable. A divided Harris County Commissioners Court declined to give County Court At Law Judge Bill McLeod a reprieve Tuesday after he inadvertently resigned last week, opting instead to appoint a replacement. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said … Continue reading →

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Using floodplain rules to force environmental safety compliance

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A county’s gotta do what a county’s gotta do. Harris County officials are using flood control regulations passed after Hurricane Harvey to delay the reopening of two chemical companies where fires erupted in recent weeks, killing one worker and sending … Continue reading →

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First city layoff notices sent

Posted on April 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. The city has sent pink slips to 67 Houston Fire Department cadets, the first documented layoffs resulting from Mayor Sylvester Turner’s plan to implement Proposition B. The trainees will remain employed through June 7, according to a … Continue reading →

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Revisiting El Franco Lee’s campaign finances

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

There’s still a lot of cash in the late Commissioner’s campaign finance account. When 66-year-old Precinct 1 Commissioner El Franco Lee had a fatal heart attack in January 2016, his campaign account had $3.8 million. Since then, the cash has … Continue reading →

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The further effects of Prop B

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I mean, what did you expect? The Houston Fire Department would idle six to nine fire trucks and employ fewer firefighters per shift, risking a modest increase in response times, if City Council approves a $25 million reduction in HFD’s … Continue reading →

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