Monthly Archives: June 2021

Abbott’s border wall

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

I have many questions about this, but for this post I will limit myself to three. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that Texas will build a border wall along the state’s boundary with Mexico — but provided no details on … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Will MLB come to Central Texas?

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Drayton McLane thinks it might. Drayton McLane, who knows a thing or two about the subject, believes Central Texas is closing in on being able to support its own Major League Baseball team. That pronouncement might lead you to wonder … Continue reading →

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Another data point on Biden and Latino support

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Of interest. Hispanic voters were one of President Joe Biden’s biggest weaknesses in the 2020 election. Although sources differ on his exact margin, Biden’s advantage with Hispanics was the worst for a Democratic presidential nominee since 2004 — even as he … Continue reading →

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Ground Game Texas

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This is good, too. Some of Democrats’ biggest regrets about the 2020 election in Texas had to do with organizing. It was not consistent throughout the cycle — and usually isn’t in any cycle. It was supplanted by TV ads … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Not so fast on moving the Paxton trial back to Collin County

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The special prosecutors have requested an en banc review of the three-judge panel ruling. Prosecutors in the felony fraud case against Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking the full 1st Court of Appeals to review a decision by a three-justice … Continue reading →

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

State Bar investigating Paxton

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Well, well, well… The Texas bar association is investigating whether state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election based on bogus claims of fraud amounted to professional misconduct. The State Bar of Texas initially declined … Continue reading →

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The next voter registration project

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Necessary, but not sufficient. Texas Democrats’ takeaways from the 2020 election are clear: to take back our state from Texas Republicans, Democrats need to register more voters. With Republicans’ increasing extremism and relentless attacks on Texans this spring, the stakes … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Will Methodist fire its unvaccinated workers?

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

In two weeks, if they haven’t gotten vaccinated, the answer is Yes. Dozens of cheering supporters gathered outside the Houston Methodist Baytown campus Monday evening as several medical workers who refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine ended their last shifts … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of June 7

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes that Greg Abbott can refrain from taking out his frustrations on a bunch of legislative staffers as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Update on the bike trail bridge

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

We have an estimate for repairs. Weather-permitting — and the sky this weekend likely will not look that permitting — runners and cyclists along a popular Heights trail will have a key connection back by September. Houston Parks Board officials … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

How about we sue you for a change?

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The state of Texas has sued the federal government more times than I can count in recent years. There may be examples of the reverse happening, but offhand I can’t think of any. As such, this may be a first. … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

All juiced up with no place to go

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Seems like there should be a better solution for this. In 2005, the Texas Legislature approved the development of a network of electric transmission lines to send wind and solar power from West Texas to population centers in other parts … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

How the NFL handles domestic violence and sexual assault charges

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

With great inconsistency, is the short answer. Anyone interested in what may happen with Deshaun Watson should read this. Ray McDonald was playing for the San Francisco 49ers in August 2014 when he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his pregnant … Continue reading →

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Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman stepping down

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman is resigning from her post effective Friday. She informed Gov. Greg Abbott of the decision in a letter sent Monday. The news was first reported by the Houston Chronicle. “With utmost gratitude for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What are the limits on limiting vaccination requirements?

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

News item #1: Carnival will require COVID vaccinations for all passengers cruising from Galveston: Carnival Cruise Line today announced plans to begin cruising from the Port of Galveston on July 3. Cruises will be open to customers who are fully … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, That's our Lege, The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Supreme Court upholds Houston historic preservation ordinance

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Blast from the past. The Texas Supreme Court has upheld Houston’s ordinance regulating the preservation of historic districts, after residents argued it was an illegal zoning measure. Two homeowners in the Heights challenged the law, arguing that it constituted zoning … Continue reading →

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

Precinct analysis: State House districts 2020, part 2

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Introduction Congressional districts State Rep districts Commissioners Court/JP precincts Comparing 2012 and 2016 Statewide judicial Other jurisdictions Appellate courts, Part 1 Appellate courts, Part 2 Judicial averages Other cities District Attorney County Attorney Sheriff Tax Assessor County Clerk HCDE Fort … Continue reading →

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Traffic deaths are way up

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Not good, y’all. With traffic levels returning to normal levels post-COVID, Texas is on track for more than 4,000 deaths on state roads, a total unseen since the mid-1980s when the state had millions fewer residents and far deadlier streets, … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Dallas County Democrats have a new Chair, too

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations and best of luck to Kristy Noble, the new Chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party. Dallas businesswoman Kristy Noble was sworn in Thursday morning as the new chairwoman of the Dallas County Democratic Party. Noble, 50, emerged victorious … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for June 6

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

“Someone finally asked restaurant workers why they’re not returning”. “Gun Church That Worships With AR-15s Bought a 40-Acre Compound in Texas for Its ‘Patriots’”. It’s located near Waco. What could possibly go wrong? “Specific language about the QAnon conspiracy theory … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 15 Comments

What was the effect of Texas’ early re-opening?

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a new study by a trio of economic researchers that attempts to answer questions about the behavioral, public health, and economic effects of Greg Abbott ending the statewide mask mandate and all restrictions on how businesses can operate, all … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Buckingham to run for Land Commissioner

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the sound of opportunity knocking. State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, is set to run for land commissioner, according to two sources familiar with the decision not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Buckingham has made calls to potential supporters … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bring in an outside investigator

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the Chron editorial board’s advice for Constable Alan Rosen. Rosen’s office declined to comment to the editorial board Thursday, but in an earlier statement, he said that when he was made aware of the allegations, he “proactively” ordered an … Continue reading →

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Can Abbott actually veto the legislative budget?

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Who knows? We’ll see if he actually does it. Fresh off the defeat of two of his legislative priorities Sunday night when Democrats abandoned the Texas House to block a sweeping elections bill, Gov. Greg Abbott flexed his executive muscle … Continue reading →

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We go to the next freeze with the power grid reform we have, not the power grid reform we wanted

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

It is what it is, and what it is isn’t much. Texas lawmakers on Sunday passed a final proposal to shore up the state’s power grid in response to this year’s deadly outage crisis, agreeing on a raft of reforms … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Pity the poor GHP

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Or don’t. I lean heavily towards “don’t”. You’d have to be a serious sourpuss not to feel just a little sorry for Bob Harvey, the amiable, bespectacled Aggie and Harvard MBA who heads the Greater Houston Partnership. The last month … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Timeframe for Watson depositions

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This is going to take awhile. Deshaun Watson’s attorneys in September can begin deposing plaintiffs in the 22 sexual assault and harassment cases against the Texans quarterback, according to court documents. State District Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier on May 10 … Continue reading →

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P Bush officially challenges Paxton

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The primary no one asked for. Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced Wednesday that he is running for attorney general, challenging fellow Republican Ken Paxton with a sharp focus on Paxton’s legal troubles. “Enough is enough, Ken,” Bush said during … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2022 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

City’s budget passes

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

There was a little bit of drama, but nothing too big. Houston’s City Council voted Wednesday to approve a $5.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year that relies heavily on a massive infusion of federal aid to close a … Continue reading →

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Lawsuit against Lubbock “abortion sanctuary city” ordinance dismissed

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

This is gonna get weird. A federal district judge dismissed on Tuesday a lawsuit to block a voter-approved abortion ban from taking effect in Lubbock, saying Planned Parenthood did not have standing to sue the city. The decision comes just … Continue reading →

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Paxton appeals to 3rd Court to dismiss whistleblower lawsuit

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

Next stop on the train. In an 85-page brief filed Tuesday with the 3rd Court of Appeals, Paxton’s lawyers argue that under state law, a whistleblower must believe someone has broken the law, but the aides only reported that “they … Continue reading →

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

Another deputy constable files suit

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

More bad. When Precinct 1 Constable deputies accused their bosses of sexually exploiting them during undercover vice operations last week, their attorney vowed there would likely be more allegations in the near future. On Wednesday, Cordt Akers returned to the … Continue reading →

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

No limits imposed on Governor’s powers in an emergency

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

So much for that. The state Legislature won’t curtail Gov. Greg Abbott’s pandemic powers, after members of the House and the Senate failed to hash out their differences over it. The measure, House Bill 3, was priority legislation in the … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of May 31

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance knows we will be dealing with the wreckage of this legislative session for a long time as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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