Monthly Archives: January 2017

“Fetal remains” rule still on hold

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Take all the time you need. As he considers a final ruling on the state’s fetal remains burial rule, U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks is delaying the start date of the rule for at least another three weeks. On … Continue reading →

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Chris Suprun’s eventful year in voting

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

How weird is this? The self-described “voting addict” was an apparent casualty of the confusion amid legal wrangling over the state’s 2011 voter ID law. Now, [Texas Republican elector Chris] Suprun is calling for courts to clarify the rules once … Continue reading →

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

Chron favors a jail administrator

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I remain unconvinced. Next month, we’ll have a new sheriff in town. Ed Gonzalez will take command of the largest sheriff’s office in Texas, the third-largest in the nation, with more than 4,600 employees responsible for serving and protecting the … Continue reading →

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

Texas blog roundup for the week of January 2

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes that fewer of its childhood icons die in the new year as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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A look ahead to Fort Bend County elections in 2017

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: From time to time I solicit guest posts on various topics, from people who have a particular interest or expertise in a particular topic. I don’t know much about local and municipal elections in Fort Bend County, so today’s … Continue reading →

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Motion filed to compel redistricting ruling

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the Lone Star Project: The major plaintiffs challenging the Texas congressional and State House boundaries filed a joint motion earlier today to compel the three-judge federal district court in San Antonio to finally issue a decision on their claims … Continue reading →

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Kim Ogg’s swearing in

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

New DA Kim Ogg took her oath of office at an earlier time than the other Democratic elected officials, then had a more celebratory followup event afterward. Ogg, who defeated incumbent Republican Devon Anderson in November, was first sworn into … Continue reading →

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Shiner’s caffeinated beer

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We return to an old favorite topic, caffeination of things that are normally not caffeinated. One of Texas’ favorite beer brands has released a new product to celebrate 108 years in business. Shiner Beer’s caffeine-laden Shiner Cold Brew Coffee Ale … Continue reading →

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A look ahead to Houston’s 2017 elections

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I want to return to something in that story about Mayor Turner’s 2017 agenda, which was near the bottom but which is a very big deal for the coming year: A lawsuit over the ballot language used last year to … Continue reading →

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Here come the Dems

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

All the newly-elected county officials have now been sworn in. The new Harris County officials sworn in New Year’s Day had something in common: They were all Democrats. The swearing-in ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday followed the Democratic Party’s sweep … Continue reading →

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Rep. Martinez to introduce “don’t shoot guns in the air” bill

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

You’d think this wouldn’t be necessary, but it is. After being hit in the head with a bullet shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve, state Rep. Armando Martinez plans to file legislation aimed at reducing or preventing celebratory gun … Continue reading →

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Transgender health directive halted

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

One last kick in the rear from the annus horribilis that was 2016. A Texas judge issued an injunction Saturday against a federal mandate aimed to protect transgender people, finding that the federal health rule violates existing law. The preliminary … Continue reading →

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Back to court for Planned Parenthood

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go again. Planned Parenthood late Friday asked a federal judge in Austin to block plans by Texas officials to kick the organization out of Medicaid. Calling state plans “nothing more than a politically motivated witch hunt,” Planned Parenthood … Continue reading →

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How not to celebrate New Years Eve

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

DO NOT SHOOT GUNS IN THE AIR! Seriously. Local law enforcement authorities here have confirmed that State Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, District 39, is recovering after being struck by a “stray bullet.” According to Weslaco police, Martinez underwent surgery today … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for January 1

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s hoping 2017 doesn’t suck. Hey, remember that movie where Sinbad played a genie? No, you don’t, because it doesn’t exist. But some people insist that it does anyway. Don’t pay ransomware. There’s a better way. The most egregiously George … Continue reading →

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Ogg begins assembling her team

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

She has a lot of positions to fill, and a lot of work to do. Several well-known defense lawyers will take top posts in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office under incoming DA Kim Ogg, her transition team announced Friday. … Continue reading →

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“Denied”: HISD and special education

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

There are problems here as well. Superintendent Richard Carranza announced Thursday that the Houston Independent School District has decided to conduct a detailed review of the way that it serves students with disabilities. The effort will include asking “independent, third-party … Continue reading →

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