Tag Archives: Ed Emmett

Emmett calls for “elections czar”

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett thinks we could use a dedicated elections supervisor. Proponents of an elections czar say an appointee would be insulated from accusations and lawsuits alleging partisanship in carrying out the duties of the office. In late … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Once again mulling the fate of the Astrodome

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Am I the only one who noticed the omission in this story about the current state of the Astrodome? Debt and interest payments will amount to more than $2.4 million this year, according to a payment schedule for the higher … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston, Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Commissioners Court to vote Tuesday on Dynamo Stadium deal

Posted on April 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

One presumes that since they were the holdup on this, the fact that they’re finally bringing it to a vote means it will go through. “I expressed concern (weeks ago) when we started getting this kind of Christmas tree built … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Hempstead line

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s another story about progress on a proposed commuter rail line, this one out US 290. A study to determine ridership on the line, which would go as far west as Hempstead, will be done. The Houston-based engineering firm Klotz … Continue reading →

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

Galveston County transportation district

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Well, at least somebody is moving forward with rail plans. The creation of a Galveston County urban and rural transit district would potentially pull together all 13 municipalities in the county, providing a single voice to negotiate with Houston Metro, … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sports Authority to the rescue?

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

After many months in limbo, there may finally be a way forward for Dynamo Stadium, though it’s a somewhat convoluted path. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority board is scheduled on Monday to discuss becoming the landlord for a professional soccer … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 →

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No replacements named for vacant County Court benches

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Commissioners Court declined to name replacements at this time for two County Criminal Court benches that are currently vacant. Judge Reagan Helm resigned last week. Judge Donald Jackson also resigned in December after being sentenced to 30 days in jail … Continue reading →

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Harris County rejoins Texas High Speed Rail group

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County is once again a part of the Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation after Commissioners Court voted to start paying its dues again. Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole put high-speed rail on Tuesday’s agenda, saying Harris County … Continue reading →

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The Chron on the lost SUPERTRAIN opportunity

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron is none too pleased with the way Texas fared with federal funds for high speed rail. Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Chris Lippincott stated the obvious: Texas needs to have more plans in that “shovel-ready” shape. Lippincott says … Continue reading →

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The Dynamo contemplate their options

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Is the future of Dynamo Stadium on Westpark? Could be. Dynamo President Oliver Luck is in talks with a developer about building a soccer stadium on private land about a mile south of the Galleria. The Dynamo have not abandoned … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

There’s a fix for that

Posted on January 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, Harris County has a budget shortfall of its own to deal with. So the fact that the Sheriff’s Office is spending more than it was allotted is drawing some scrutiny. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is projected … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Play politics first, ask questions later

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The number of homicides increased in unincorporated Harris County last year while declining in Houston. With only a few hours left in the year, 86 murders had occurred in the county’s unincorporated areas in 2009, up from 69 in 2008. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Quan officially files

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I had lunch today at the Post Oak Grill on Milam so I could be there for Gordon Quan’s official announcement that he is running for Harris County Judge. In fact, as Martha noted, he submitted his paperwork and paid … Continue reading →

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Tax cuts have consequences

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We’re all familiar with the financial constraints that the city of Houston is operating under. Harris County is experiencing similar problems. “As best we can tell appraisals are going to be flat, if not down a little, so that means … Continue reading →

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

Quan considering a run for County Judge

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Miya has the story. Former City Council Member Gordon Quan is THISCLOSE to throwing his hat in the ring for Harris County Judge. I heard the rumors a few days ago, but confirmed with Quan this morning. […] When we … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

County puts off vote on helping the city deny vehicle registration to red light camera scofflaws

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise. For the second time in a month, Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday postponed a vote on an agreement with the city to block vehicle registrations for red-light camera violators who do not pay their fines. Court members … Continue reading →

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County doesn’t want to help city collect red light camera fines

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last year, City Council passed an ordinance that would put a hold on vehicle registrations for which there are outstanding red light camera fines. The city’s ability to do this is contingent on cooperation from the county, as it is … Continue reading →

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Emmett on commuter rail

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

County Judge Ed Emmett’s op ed piece is one part an argument for commuter rail, and one part an argument for who should be in charge of it. I suppose the fact that he’s making that case is a good … Continue reading →

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Chron poll: Brown leads

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Campos teased the news earlier today, and now the story is up: Peter Brown leads in a new Zogby poll of the Mayor’s race. According to the poll, Brown leads the field with 23.8 percent of the vote, followed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

County to move forward on mental health center for inmates

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This sounds good. Harris County officials agreed Tuesday to establish a “reintegration center” to reduce the revolving door of mentally ill and homeless prisoners who are a major factor in chronic overcrowding at the county jails. The discussion of the … Continue reading →

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Don’t let politics get in the way of commuter rail

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

For once, we have a broad consensus about the need to build rail lines. Let’s please not let turf war pissing matches be an even bigger obstacle to getting them built than old-fashioned opposition ever was. Three agencies are actively … Continue reading →

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

Commissioners Court approves public defenders plan

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The “hybrid” public defenders office that Commissioners Court had been considering was approved Tuesday by a 5-0 vote, though the details still need to be worked out in time for the February 2010 budget meeting. “It’s going to take however … Continue reading →

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Election tidbits for 9/28

Posted on September 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Two weeks till Early Voting begins. Psst! Hey, Peggy! Rep. Kristi Thibaut represents HD133 here in Houston, not Galveston. Just FYI. As for the news that the GOP will be targeting State Rep. Abel Herrero, given the 2008 partisan index … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

In support of a public defender’s office in Harris County

Posted on September 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Criminal Justice Coalition has sent a letter to County Judge Ed Emmett and Harris County Commissioners Court in support of establishing a public defender’s office in Harris County. You can read the letter here. The Court approved a study … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fixing freight rail

Posted on September 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good story about freight rail in and around Houston and its present and future needs. The recession has eased the rail traffic problem temporarily, but transportation leaders warn the reprieve will not last. Houston’s population will grow and the widening … Continue reading →

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More on the city-county TIRZ deal

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron does a kind of big picture overview story of the city-county TIRZ deal that we heard about earlier this week. If successful, the months-long negotiations between the city and Harris County could provide a solution for problems that … Continue reading →

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Harris County criminal court judge indicted

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Oops. A Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law judge was indicted Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of official oppression, accused of offering to get a DWI defendant in his court help getting her case dismissed in exchange for a sexual relationship. According … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Ike Dike update

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As the first Atlantic tropical storms of the year make their appearance, we get an update on the proposed Ike Dike. One of Hurricane Ike’s legacies may be the hardening of the upper Texas coast against hurricane storm surges. Within … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Too quiet?

Posted on August 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been very quiet on the hurricane front so far this year – not a single named storm in the Atlantic as yet. The good news, as SciGuy notes, is that this means the projections for the number of named … Continue reading →

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Commuter rail update

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Christof has some surprisingly good news for those who want to see commuter rail in the Houston area. There hasn’t been much public movement on commuter rail since the HGAC’s study was released a year ago. But quietly, gears are … Continue reading →

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Pity the poor HCRP

Posted on July 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

My heart is breaking for them. The Harris County Republican Party is in arrears amid a dour fundraising climate and an internecine struggle over its chairman, Jared Woodfill, whose leadership numerous local GOP stalwarts have begun to question publicly. The … Continue reading →

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Eversole gets slapped by Ethics Commission

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

County Commissioner Jerry Eversole gets hit with a $75,000 fine by the Texas Ethics Commission for failure to accurately report expenses on his campaign finance reports. Eversole said he signed what is known as an “order and agreed resolution” so … Continue reading →

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Hard times for the local GOP

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Nestled into this story about a recent lecture given by Paul Burka at Rep. Ellen Cohen’s town hall meeting is this nugget about the state of the Harris County GOP: In the words of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who … Continue reading →

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