Category Archives: Local politics

Apartment dwellers push back on water rate hike

Posted on April 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From Prime Property: The Houston Apartment Association is urging its members to resist the city’s proposed water and sewer rate hikes that, in their current form, would hit apartment tenants much harder than single-family homeowners. In a blog entry on … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Renew Houston

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The fact that Houston is currently in the throes of a severe revenue shortage doesn’t change the fact that there’s a great need to renovate and repair large portions of the city’s infrastructure. Naturally, that will cost a lot of … Continue reading →

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

The state of the city 2010

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Parker gave her first State of the City address today before the Greater Houston Partnership. Here are a few highlights from her address, which you can read as written here. We don’t know everything that lies ahead. The pressures … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Water rate hike coming

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We knew this was coming, and now here it is. Mayor Annise Parker’s administration is proposing drastic water and sewer rate increases to shore up Houston’s Combined Utility System, which has operated with multimillion-dollar budget deficits for several years. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Parker extends city rights policy to transgendered

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston Mayor Annise Parker has updated a 12-year-old Houston non-discrimination policy to include transgendered individuals, a step that has won praise from supporters in the gay community but prompted criticism as well. The two executive orders she signed last … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Parker extends city rights policy to transgendered

Still looking for a fire chief

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve got a new police chief, but Mayor Parker is still looking for a new fire chief. Parker on Wednesday named Charles A McClelland Jr., a veteran Houston police administrator, the city’s new police chief. She concentrated that search on … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Still looking for a fire chief

Property tax values drop

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This budget news is really really bad. Thirty percent of Harris County homes declined in market value this year, as the area’s overall tax base dropped for the first time in at least two decades, officials announced Thursday. The reduced … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Council approves Lakewood sale

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This had generated a lot of discussion, but in the end it went through. The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved the sale of the former Compaq Center to Lakewood Church for $7.5 million. The vote was 13-to-2, with Councilmen … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Parker taps McClelland as HPD Chief

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise. Mayor Annise Parker officially named veteran police administrator Charles A. McClelland Houston’s new police chief today, citing his long service and leadership skills. McClelland, 55, has served as acting chief of the Houston Police Department since the retirement … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Parker to name new HPD Chief tomorrow

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Mayor Parker to Name Her Choice for Police Chief Who: Mayor Annise Parker What: Announcement of Mayor Parker’s nomination for Houston Police Chief When: Wednesday, March 31, immediately following City Council meeting Where: Proclamation Room, 3rd Floor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Parker to name new HPD Chief tomorrow

Selling Lakewood

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve known for awhile that one way the city will try to bridge its revenue gap is by selling some properties. Among those in the For Sale pile is the building formerly known as the Summit, now occupied by Lakewood … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The city’s budget gap widens

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Everywhere you look, it’s bad budget news. Mayor Annise Parker raised the possibility of furloughs and layoffs for city employees for the first time Wednesday, saying the city’s dire budget outlook will require City Council to consider all available options … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Here comes the county budget

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Considering how gloom-and-doomy the reports have been, this is downright sunny. Commissioners Court today will consider a $1.4 billion budget that cuts spending by about 3.2 percent from the fiscal year that ended on Feb. 28. The spending blueprint does … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Council meeting on flooding and drainage

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: City of Houston Council Committee on Flooding and Drainage Council Member Stephen C. Costello, Chair ________________________________________________________________________ Ed Gonzalez, District H, Vice-Chair Brenda Stardig, District A James G. Rodriguez, District I Anne Clutterbuck, District C Melissa Noriega, Position … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Council meeting on flooding and drainage

A county budget threefer

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Three items of interest in the news that relate to the Harris County budget. – Contemplating cremation Commissioners Court this morning discussed possibly changing to a cremate-first policy at Harris County’s public cemetery. A report from the cemetery director projects … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fixing flooding

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m glad to see that the city is taking the issue of flooding and drainage seriously, as this is an increasingly urgent problem. It’s really one of infrastructure, which like everything else in this world eventually wears out and needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Another term limits commission meeting

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The City of Houston Term Limits Review Commission invites you to an open session for public input concerning term limits for Houston’s Mayor, City Controller and City Council    Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:30 a.m. Judson Robinson, Jr. Community … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Another term limits commission meeting

The county budget blues

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The news keeps being bad. Not unexpected, but bad. During hearings last month, department heads said worst-case scenarios could mean layoffs, less mosquito spraying, tax office closures and fewer resources to serve a still-growing county population. County Auditor Barbara Schott’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Radack’s Hill gets set to debut

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Anybody feel like doing a little soapbox derby racing? If so, County Commissioner Steve Radack has got what you need. Radack’s crew is putting the finishing touches on a $2.3 million soapbox derby park. The first races are scheduled for … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Flooding survey

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: COUNCIL MEMBERS COSTELLO AND GONZALEZ ASKING FOR PUBLIC FLOODING AND DRAINAGE FEEDBACK THROUGH SURVEY Survey to guide Flooding and Drainage Committee in identifying flooding issues and concerns February 12, 2010 – Houston, TX. Houston residents are being … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Flooding survey

Talking with the Mayor

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In case you haven’t seen them, here are brief interviews with Mayor Annise Parker in Hair Balls and the Chron’s neighborhood section. Check ’em out.

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Talking with the Mayor

Ambulance costs

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I guess I don’t really think much about ambulance services, but it’s a reasonably significant part of the city’s budget, and the city thinks it may need to charge more for it. The last time the city raised ambulance fees … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Term limits review commission public meeting

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, outgoing Mayor Bill White appointed a commission in December to study the possibility of making changes to Houston’s term limits ordinance. Via Mary Benton, the commission will have an open session for public input on this next … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Term limits review commission public meeting

Water rate hike on the table

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure there will be a massive freakout over the possibility that water rates could be increased, but that won’t stop me from expressing the naive hope that we can have a rational discussion about it anyway. The increase could … Continue reading →

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

The Sheriff versus the deputies

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I continue to be surprised at how antagonistic this relationship has been. Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia on Friday released a long-promised “Bill of Rights” for deputies under investigation by the department, but three deputies’ unions criticized the sheriff for … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

January City of Houston campaign finance reports

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to state and federal officeholders/candidates, January 15 was also the deadline for City of Houston folks to file their campaign finance reports as well. As there are no elections coming up any time soon, I will not be … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on January City of Houston campaign finance reports

Boriskie steps down

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Add HFD Chief to the list of things Mayor Parker will need to address. With his department under siege by critics and a new mayor as his boss, Houston Fire Chief Phil Boriskie stepped down as the department’s top commander, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Boriskie steps down

Meet Team Parker

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron peeks behind the curtain at the people who will be working the most closely with Mayor Parker. They fall into roughly three camps: senior aides from her time as controller, City Hall veterans and a lone political operative … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Meet Team Parker

On a side note regarding Commissioners Court

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Just a quick point to note regarding Commissioners Court and its various perks. In a few months, we’re going to hear from Mayor White’s term limits commission regarding suggested alterations to Houston’s term limits law. When we do, we’ll be … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

From the “It’s good to be the czar” files

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Every few years we get an article like this one about how the sweetest gig in the state is being a Harris County Commissioner. Commissioners may have the safest jobs in Harris County politics. No incumbent has lost an election … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hoang’s agenda

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Tomorrow is the public swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Annise Parker. After she retakes her oath of office, she will then administer the oath to all new and returning City Council members. One of them is the newly elected Member from … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Wolfe withdraws primary challenge

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Last week, when we heard about the Harris County Department of Education taking action to boot Michael Wolfe off the Board, we learned that Wolfe, who still has three years remaining in his term as an At Large trustee, had … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Wolfe withdraws primary challenge

Panel to review term limits appointed

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Back in October, Houston City Council agreed to create a commission to study Houston’s term limits law with an eye to possibly placing a resolution on the ballot next year with some changes. Yesterday, that commission was named. Mayor Bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

County pays off last bill related to Ibarra brothers lawsuit

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Merry Christmas. Harris County Commissioners Court agreed [Tuesday] to pay the last of what has amounted to more than $4 million in bills related to a lawsuit brought by two men who said they were wrongfully arrested after one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on County pays off last bill related to Ibarra brothers lawsuit