Monthly Archives: February 2016

Three more HISD schools to be renamed

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. The new campuses to be renamed, joining four others approved on split votes in January, are Albert Sidney Johnston and Sidney Lanier middle schools and Jefferson Davis High School. Johnston was a … Continue reading →

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

Austin will vote on rideshare ordinance revision

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The month of May just got a lot more interesting. Let the people choose how to regulate Uber and Lyft, a divided Austin City Council decided late Thursday. The council, on a 2-8-1 vote, declined to adopt an ordinance underlying … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More questions about body cameras and video accessibility

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Still sorting it all out. Months after statewide body camera legislation took effect and the Houston Police Department outlined its policies regarding the devices, local criminal justice watchdogs worry that some video from high-profile incidents may never see the light … Continue reading →

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Driverless car technology update

Posted on February 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I have a personal stake in this story. James Kuffner, the head of Google’s robotics division and one of the original team of ten who started its self-driving car work, has left the company for a job at Toyota’s $1 … Continue reading →

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Pasadena plaintiffs get details on Mayor’s campaign spending

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A federal judge said Wednesday that a political action committee aligned with Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell must turn over hundreds of pages of internal documents in an ongoing lawsuit over the voting rights of Hispanic and Latino residents. Attorneys … Continue reading →

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What do you want in a new HISD Superintendent?

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Take the survey and let them know. The Houston school board has started seeking community input on the desired traits for a new superintendent, with the goal of hiring a new leader by July. A survey posted on the district’s … Continue reading →

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Sebesta remains disbarred

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The disciplinary board of the Texas State Bar on Monday affirmed the agency’s decision to disbar Charles Sebesta, the former prosecutor who oversaw the wrongful death sentence of Anthony Graves. Graves, who spent 18 years in prison, including 12 … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: District Court judges

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes endorsements in the many contested Democratic primaries for civil and criminal district court. For brevity’s sake and so as not to copy and paste the whole damn thing, I’ve just pulled out the endorsed candidates’ names: 11th … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Still more unromantic Valentine’s Day songs

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve collected examples of Songs For Ruining Valentine’s Day twice before, and it always amuses me, so let’s go once more to that well. 1. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift 2. She’s My Girl – … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Josefina Rendon

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Checking in on Garcia v Green

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

An update on how the biggest primary fight in the county is going. U.S. Congressman Gene Green has taken Texas’ 29th District Democratic primary to television, leveraging his substantial financial advantage over challenger Adrian Garcia to pour more than $240,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Term limits lawsuit against city could be dismissed

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This was unexpected. Last November, Houston voters approved an amendment to the City Charter that changed the length and maximum number of terms elected officials can serve. The lawsuit by Phillip Paul Bryant alleges the language on the ballot tricked … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: State reps

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes endorsements in some State Rep races. Here are the ones I’m interested in. District 126: Cris Hernandez Two strong candidates who grew up in district are running in the primary and hope to replace Republican Patricia Harless, … Continue reading →

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Interview with Dakota Carter

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As was the case in 2012, there is a three-way primary for the nomination in SBOE District 6, the one electoral entity that is subject to redistricting containing a Republican who represents me. I didn’t intend to do interviews for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Paxton finds another way to be in trouble

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Like fleas to a dog, trouble just follows this guy around. Remember that historic Supreme Court ruling last year? The one that ended decades of discrimination against same-sex couples who wanted to get married? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton surely … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Overview of two Bexar County legislative primaries

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The turnover of Bexar County’s Democratic legislative caucus continues apace. With the departures in 2015 of Mike Villarreal and Jose Menendez (succeeded by Diego Bernal and Ina Minjarez, respectively) and the departures this year by Joe Farias, Trey Martinez-Fischer, and … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of February 8

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance reminds everyone that early voting for the primaries begins next week as they bring you this week’s roundup.

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SCOTUS puts Clean Power Plan on hold

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

And in doubt. In a major setback for President Obama’s climate change agenda, the Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily blocked the administration’s effort to combat global warming by regulating emissions from coal-fired power plants. The brief order was not the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Mary Ann Perez

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve discussed the recent history of HD144 in my previous two interview posts, including how it was won by Democrats in 2012 and lost in 2014. The person who won and then lost those elections is Mary Ann Perez, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Judicial Q&A: Raul Rodriguez

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Complaint filed against Cruz campaign for “check enclosed” stunt

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be fun. A liberal Texas political group has filed a formal complaint alleging that a recent fundraising solicitation mailed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign violated state law. The solicitation came in an envelope featuring a … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Harrisburg line overpass delayed again

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. Just, ugh. A rail overpass vital to completion of the East End light rail line that has divided neighbors and eroded public confidence will be delayed another four months, Metro officials confirmed Monday. “It has been the project from … Continue reading →

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Interview with Bernie Aldape

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As noted, HD144 is the one formerly Democratic-held seat to be won back. Redrawn as a Latino-majority swing district in 2011 after being held by a Republican all last decade, it was won in 2012 by Democrats, then lost by … Continue reading →

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Yet another record year for Obamacare signups in Texas

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s like a trend or something. A record 1.3 million Texans signed up for health coverage during the 2016 Affordable Care Act’s enrollment period, topping last year’s number by more than 100,000, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

State strikes out on Syrian refugees again

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Too bad. Now give up already. A federal judge has again denied a bid by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to block the federal government from resettling Syrian refugees in the state. Dallas-based U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey on … Continue reading →

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Meet the woman in charge of prepping Houston for Super Bowl LI

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The countdown is on, and the spotlight is already ours. When Sallie Sargent applied to take charge of Houston’s preparations for next year’s Super Bowl, she faced a rather daunting audition: find 11 major sponsors to finish a $25 million … Continue reading →

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Interview with Cody Ray Wheeler

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As there is one Democratic-held open legislative seat of interest this cycle, so too is there one formerly Democratic-held seat to be won back. HD144 was redrawn as a Latino-majority swing district in 2011 after being held by a Republican … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Judicial Q&A: Jim Lewis

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Federal judge smacks video fraudsters

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That’s gonna leave a mark. In a sharp rebuke, a federal judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction ordering abortion opponents not to release videos they had secretly made at meetings of abortion providers, and he added that the opponents’ … Continue reading →

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We have a messed up tax system in this state, part deux

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Sooner or later, it’s going to collapse under its own weight. The state’s highest civil court last week agreed to hear a case hinging on whether metal pipes, tubing and other equipment used in oil and gas production should be … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for February 7

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

What drives some people to collect dinosaur bones? The author of this piece was a high school classmate of mine. Oklahoma really wants to hate the gays. This guy hates The Big Bang Theory more than you do. (Warning: profanity) … Continue reading →

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Can Dems make progress in Collin County?

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It sure would be nice if they could. It’s no secret that Plano’s Prestonwood Baptist Church has long wielded tremendous political influence, often quietly blurring the local lines between church and state. But in the 2016 cycle, with the Republican … Continue reading →

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TOP releases report on inefficiency of development tax subsidies

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: [Thursday], the Texas Organizing Project and the Workers Defense Project released a report on the ineffectiveness of tax subsidies in cities across Texas, and proposed ways to increase requirements for such deals in Houston to offer benefits … Continue reading →

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Things are tough all over

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

HISD faces a big deficit: Houston ISD leaders are bracing for a projected $107 million budget shortfall that, in a worst-case scenario, could prompt the district to slash jobs. During the school board meeting Thursday, however, officials pledged to try … Continue reading →

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