Tag Archives: Commissioners Court

We may soon need another legislative special election

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

In Bexar County. State Rep. Justin Rodriguez is expected to fill the vacant Commissioners Court seat of political icon Paul Elizondo, a major local power broker and a veteran of the commission for more than 30 years who died last … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Harris County GOP has not hit bottom yet

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have four thing to say about this. Drubbed. Shellacked. Whooped. Walloped. Routed. However you want to describe November’s midterm election, it was disastrous for Harris County Republicans. They were swept from the remaining countywide posts they held — the other shoe … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Of course we could have done more on flood mitigation before now

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the Chron: Harris County faces challenge, opportunity managing $2.5B flood bond program. I want to focus on this bit. Jim Blackburn, co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters Center at Rice University, estimates the bond … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Of course we could have done more on flood mitigation before now

Cagle and Garcia hire Morman and Shaw

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Fine by me. Jack Morman, who was defeated for re-election as Harris County Precinct 2 commissioner in November, will remain on the county’s payroll in January as an employee of Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle, a fellow Republican. Morman, who … Continue reading →

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

Lina Hidalgo gets the national press treatment

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You need to get past the first couple of paragraphs, but overall a decent piece. Even in defeat, Beto O’Rourke did a big favor to fellow Democrats all over Texas. A couple hundred thousand young people who might otherwise have … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Use that mandate in Harris County

Posted on December 4, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Jay Aiyer pens an agenda for Harris County and its Democratic government. First and foremost, flood mitigation has to be at the top of any list. Harris County has taken good initial steps to improve flood control infrastructure, and the … Continue reading →

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

On straight tickets and other votes

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have and will continue to have more to say about straight ticket votes. Part of me is reluctant to talk about this stuff, because I feel like we’ve reached a point where straight ticket votes are seen as less … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Precinct analysis: Beto does Harris County

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

He won pretty much everywhere you looked. So let’s look at the numbers: Dist Cruz Beto Dike Cruz% Beto% Trump% Clint% ============================================================= CD02 132,390 129,160 2,047 50.22% 49.00% 52.38% 43.05% CD07 112,078 129,781 1,843 45.99% 53.25% 47.11% 48.47% CD08 17,552 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Harris County certifies the 2018 vote

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We have a winner: Today Commissioners Court certified the election results and I have officially been elected Harris County Commissioner for Precinct 2. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Precinct 2 as County Commissioner. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Harris County certifies the 2018 vote

The Fort Bend blue wave

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s not forget that what happened in Harris County happened in Fort Bend, too. Across the state, the “blue wave” that had long been a dream of the Democratic Party faithful failed to materialize in Tuesday’s midterm elections, with Republicans … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Emmett’s farewell

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I wish him the best with whatever comes next. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Tuesday did not rule out returning to public service after he gives up the gavel in January, but made clear he first would return to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Emmett’s farewell

There better be a bail lawsuit settlement

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I mean, duh. The Democratic sweep of Harris County leadership posts in the midterm election could prompt a settlement in the protracted legal dispute over how judges handle bail for poor people arrested for petty offenses, according to statements made … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on There better be a bail lawsuit settlement

Hidalgo gets started

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

If you weren’t paying attention to County Judge-elect Lina Hidalgo before, you are now. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the lone Democrat currently on the court, said Hidalgo is a quick study who will settle into the role quickly. “She’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Trautman talks new voting machines

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As is usually the case, finding the funding will be the key. The newly elected Harris County clerk plans to phase out the county’s eSlate voting machines, which have occasionally caused problems for voters. Diane Trautman, who beat the incumbent … Continue reading →

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

Initial reactions: Harris County

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start with the obvious. Harris County Democrats rode a surge in voter turnout to a decisive victory on Tuesday, unseating several countywide Republican officials, including longtime County Judge Ed Emmett, and sweeping all 59 judicial races. Emmett, who courted … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Metro’s post-Culberson future

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You might not be aware of this, but famously anti-Metro Congressman John Culberson lost his bid for re-election on Tuesday. What might that mean for Metro? In one of the more stunning defeats of incumbent Republicans on Tuesday night, Lizzie … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Omnibus election report

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s after midnight, I’ve mostly posted stuff on my long-dormant Twitter account (@kuff), and I will have many, many thoughts in the coming days. For now, a brief recap. – As you know, neither Beto nor any other Dem won … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Harris County makes its robot brothel ban official

Posted on October 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We can all sleep more soundly now. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously adopted new rules to prevent so-called “robot brothels” from opening and more strictly regulate sexually oriented businesses in unincorporated areas. The county already had been revising … Continue reading →

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

Endorsement watch: County time

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron circles back to the county races they didn’t get to the first time around, and for reasons I cannot fathom, they still love them some Orlando Sanchez. The race for Harris County treasurer always seems to raise the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: County time

Harris County to follow suit on robot brothels

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

If it’s good for Houston, or not good for Houston, I suppose… Harris County commissioners are prepared to ban so-called robot brothels, just as Houston did last week. Harris County already bans live sex acts at any place of business. … Continue reading →

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

Interview with Adrian Garcia

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We finish our tour of Harris County candidates with one of the most successful Democrats in county politics, Adrian Garcia. You know his story, from HPD to Houston City Council to being the top votegetter in the county in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Who’s ready for a new flood plain map?

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s coming, but don’t hold your breath waiting for it. More than a year after Hurricane Harvey showed the Houston area’s floodplain maps were outdated and inaccurate, Harris County is prepared to begin the years-long process of drawing new maps. … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Who’s ready for a new flood plain map?

Dallas County gets the Harris County treatment in its bail lawsuit

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We have a precedent, even if everything is still a work in progress. Taking a cue from the rulings on Harris County’s bail-setting practices, a U.S. district judge in Dallas issued a temporary order Thursday evening saying the county’s post-arrest … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dallas County gets the Harris County treatment in its bail lawsuit

You know, there is a cheaper way to do this

Posted on September 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Why are we still outsourcing inmates? County commissioners next week will consider a proposal to outsource inmates to the Fort Bend County Jail, which would allow Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to slow — but not stop — the flow … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on You know, there is a cheaper way to do this

How many police forces do we need?

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s an age-old question. Harris County could save millions of dollars a year by consolidating overlapping law enforcement agencies, from sharing technological resources to reallocating duties from constables to the sheriff’s department, according to a report by the Kinder Institute … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Emmett speaks post-bond

Posted on September 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

With the flood bond referendum safely passed, we now turn to what comes next. Land and housing preservation is key to the Houston region becoming more resilient, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said Tuesday, on the heels of last weekend’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Hurricane Katrina, Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Emmett speaks post-bond

Dallas County “discrimination against white voters” lawsuit dismissed

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It was always a silly idea. A federal judge Thursday dismissed a landmark lawsuit that accused Dallas County commissioners of discriminating against white voters. The lawsuit sought to dismantle the boundaries the county uses to elect commissioners, claiming that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dallas County “discrimination against white voters” lawsuit dismissed

July 2018 finance reports: Harris County candidates

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s take a look at where we stand with the candidates for county office. January report info is here. On we go: County Judge Ed Emmett Lina Hidalgo Commissioner, Precinct 2 Jack Morman Adrian Garcia Commissioner, Precinct 4 Jack Cagle … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

County officially puts flood bond referendum on the ballot

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously agreed to place a $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond before voters on Aug. 25, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. If passed, the bond would be the largest local investment … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Abbott approves August flood bond referendum

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

One more step forward. Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday approved Harris County’s request to call a multi-billion-dollar bond election to pay for flood control measures on Aug. 25, the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. By state law, the county needed … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

We’ll be voting on flood control bonds in August

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Not my first choice, but it is what it is. Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to seek a special election on Aug. 25 for what likely will be a multi-billion-dollar bond package that, if approved by voters, would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The timing of a Harvey bond referendum

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

How does August grab you? Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday will consider calling a special election for August 25 — the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey — to ask voters to OK a massive bond referendum for flood control … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ellis puts up money for city’s bike projects

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I like this plan. Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis on Monday announced a one-year $10 million commitment to bicycling projects in Houston, in the hopes of jump-starting the city’s transformation into a bike-friendly place. “Working together, we can … Continue reading →

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

Testimony ends in Dallas County “oppressed white voters” trial

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’ll be awhile before we have a verdict. Testimony ended Thursday in the landmark redistricting case over whether Dallas County discriminates against white voters. The four-day trial — Ann Harding vs. Dallas County — featured analysis by local and national … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Testimony ends in Dallas County “oppressed white voters” trial