Tag Archives: Commissioners Court

White voters sue Dallas County over claims of voter discrimination

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have four things to say about this. Are white voters in Dallas County being discriminated against? That question, which might cause some to chuckle, will be answered after a trial starting April 16 that could change the face of … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Clay Jenkins, Commissioners Court, Dallas County, Equal Voting Rights Institute, lawsuit, redistricting, Texas, Voting Rights Act | 7 Comments

Precinct analysis: HCDE Precinct 1

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

After the last precinct analysis post, I got an email from Danny Norris, one of the two candidates in the runoff for HCDE Position 6, Precinct 1, asking if I intended to look at this race. My answer at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged CD07, Commissioners Court, Danyahel Norris, Democratic primary, Election 2018, HCDE, Jonathan Miller, Justice of the Peace, precinct analysis, Prince Bryant, runoff, turnout | Comments Off

Still discussing flood bonds

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s complicated. Harris County officials Tuesday said the “clock is ticking” on its call for a bond referendum for $1 billion or more in flood control projects, as requirements to provide matching funds for federal grants being disbursed in Hurricane … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Local politics | Tagged Bill Jackson, bond referendum, bonds, Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, flooding, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey, Rodney Ellis, turnout | 1 Comment

Flood tunnels

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s so crazy, it just might work. The Harris County Flood Control District is exploring the possibility of building several massive, deep tunnels aimed at keeping storm water out of flood-prone neighborhoods and carry it underground for miles to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, FEMA, flood tunnels, flooding, Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District, Houston, Hurricane Harvey, John Culberson, Stephen Costello | 4 Comments

Another designation for the Astrodome

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s quite the historic place. The famed Astrodome will be designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark — the highest honor the state can bestow on a historic structure. The marker will finally and officially tell the story of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged Astrodome, Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, Harris County, Harris County Historical Commission, Houston, preservation, Texas Historical Commission | 3 Comments

2018 primary results: Harris County

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Statewide Dem totals Statewide GOP totals Harris County Dem totals Harris County GOP totals (Please note that all results were coming in very slowly. I expect there will still be some precincts not yet reported by the time this publishes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Commissioners Court, Cosme Garcia, Danyahel Norris, Democratic primary, Diane Trautman, District Clerk, Dylan Osborne, Election 2018, Elvonte Patton, Gayle Mitchell, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Treasurer, HCDE, Jeff Williams, Josh Flynn, Josh Wallenstein, Justice of the Peace, Lucia Bates, Marilyn Burgess, Michael Wolfe, Penny Shaw, primaries, Prince Bryant, Republican Party, Richard Cantu, Roz Shorter, runoff, turnout | 4 Comments

ACLU goes after Judge McSpadden

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As well they should. The ACLU of Texas is asking Harris County’s longest serving felony court judge to resign after making a statement to the Houston Chronicle on his views about black men’s attitudes toward the criminal justice system. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, bail, Commissioners Court, Darrell Jordan, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Harris County, jails, judicial races, lawsuit, Mike Fields, Mike McSpadden, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Texas | Comments Off

January 2018 finance reports: Harris County candidates

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You know the drill. Links to reports where I could find them, plus a summary table at the end. Let’s do this. County Judge Ed Emmett Lina Hidalgo Commissioner, Precinct 2 Jack Morman Adrian Garcia Roger Garcia Daniel Box Commissioner, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, campaign finance reports, Chris Daniel, Commissioners Court, District Clerk, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Judge, Harris County Treasurer, HCDE, Jack Morman, Lina Hidalgo, Orlando Sanchez | Comments Off

The case for the Astrodome

Posted on February 24, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Falkenberg lays it out. But here’s the thing: leaders have to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s. The long view has its virtues. And frankly, it’s been all to absent in the decision-making of Houston and Harris County. Shortsightedness has … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Astrodome, Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, Election 2012, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Judge, Hurricane Harvey, Lina Hidalgo | 5 Comments

Endorsement watch: Getting into the county

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron goes all in on county races, where they had not spent much time before. Two editorials, with two endorsements per, starting with Commissioners Court. County Commissioner, Precinct 2: Adrian Garcia While we lament that he ever stepped down … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Diane Trautman, District Clerk, Election 2018, endorsements, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Jeff Stauber, Marilyn Burgess, Penny Shaw | 1 Comment

So where are we on Harvey response?

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Stuff is happening. Local and state leaders are moving toward a major, lengthy and costly overhaul of the region’s flood defenses that includes regulating development, massive buyouts of flood-prone properties and flood-prevention projects that have been discussed for decades but never built. Few of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged Addicks Reservoir, Barker Reservoir, Commissioners Court, Congress, Election 2018, FEMA, flooding, Greg Abbott, Harris County, Houston, Hurricane Harvey, Sylvester Turner, Texas | 1 Comment

County approves Astrodome plan

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Like it or not, here it comes. Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with the final design and construction of a $105 million project to transform the cherished piece of Houston’s sporting history into what officials … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Astrodome, Commissioners Court, construction, Ed Emmett, Harris County, Houston First, Paul Bettencourt, preservation, Senate, The Lege | 8 Comments

Stanart’s workshop

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Our County Clerk has been doing some tinkering. The Harris County Clerk has spent hundreds of hours and millions of dollars to build, from the ground up, an electronic voter check-in system at the polls, Channel 2 Investigates has learned. … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Commissioners Court, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, iPad, Rodney Ellis, Stan Stanart | 1 Comment

Will we or won’t we get a county bond election for flood control?

Posted on February 10, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Answer unclear, try again later. In an interview with the Chronicle, [Harris County Judge Ed] Emmett described the various factors that are at play as the county grapples with the possible bond referendum, which would be one of the biggest … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Hurricane Katrina | Tagged bond referendum, Commissioners Court, Congress, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, flooding, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey, Texas | 1 Comment

Interview with Penny Shaw

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I have one more interview for County Commissioner in Precinct 4, where Jack Cagle has been the incumbent since being appointed to replace the scandal-riddled Jerry Eversole. This is the most Republican of the four Commissioner precincts, but as noted … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2018, Harris County, interviews, Penny Shaw | Comments Off

Interview with Jeff Stauber

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the not-so-powerful office of County Treasurer we move on to County Commissioner, easily the most powerful county office anywhere in Texas. Commissioners get a lot of control over their budgets, and at least in Harris County tend to operate … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2018, Harris County, interviews, Jeff Stauber | Comments Off

Lawsuit filed over Dallas County bail practices

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Bring it on, I say. On the heels of a federal ruling slamming Harris County for its bail practices, civil rights lawyers have now set their sights on a county with a similar system: Dallas. Six indigent misdemeanor and felony … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, bail, Civil Rights Corps, Clay Jenkins, Commissioners Court, Dallas County, Harris County, jails, John Wily Price, lawsuit, Texas, Texas Fair Defense Project | Comments Off

County will try to repair criminal court building

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck with that. After twice closing the 20-story downtown criminal courthouse due to flood damage since it was completed in 2000, Harris County leaders are planning to repair the shuttered building so the next time it floods it can … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged Bill Jackson, Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, flooding, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey | 2 Comments

Interview season begins tomorrow

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We’re a month into primary season, and we’re also six weeks out from the start of early voting. You know what I did over Christmas vacation? I interviewed a bunch of candidates, that’s what. You will begin to see the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Allison Sawyer, Beto O'Rourke, CD18, CD29, Commissioners Court, Congress, Democratic primary, Diane Trautman, District Clerk, Election 2018, endorsements, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, HD133, HD134, interviews, John Whitmire, Marilyn Burgess, Martin Schexnayder, Sandra Moore, SD15, Senate, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas, The Lege | 8 Comments

The elections we may get in 2018

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We know there are going to be a lot of contested elections up and down the ballot in 2018, both primaries and the November general, for state, county, and federal office. There are also at least four possible elections I … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged bond referendum, Carrin Patman, Commissioners Court, Election 2017, Election 2018, Harris County, Houston, Houston City Council, HPFFA, Hurricane Harvey, lawsuit, Metro, Renew Houston, revenue cap, Sylvester Turner, term limits | 2 Comments

The Harris County slates

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s talk about the filings for Harris County. The SOS filings page is still the best source of information, but they don’t provide shareable links, so in the name of ease and convenience I copied the Democratic filing information for … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Ahmad Hassan, Andrea Duhon, Briscoe Cain, Carlos Pena, Commissioners Court, Cosme Garcia, Damian LaCroix, Daniel Box, Danyahel Norris, Democratic primary, Diane Trautman, District Clerk, Dylan Osborne, Election 2014, Election 2016, Election 2018, Elvonte Patton, Erica Lee, filing deadline, Fran Watson, Gayle Mitchell, Gina Calanni, Hank Segelke, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Judge, Harris County Treasurer, HCDE, HD128, HD132, HD134, HD146, Jeff Stauber, Jeff Williams, John Miller, John Whitmire, Josh Wallenstein, Justice of the Peace, Ken Melancon, Kevin Howard, Lawrence Allen, Lina Hidalgo, Lloyd Oliver, Marilyn Burgess, Martin Schexnayder, Michael Jordan, Mike Nichols, Nat West, Nile Copeland, Penny Shaw, primaries, Prince Bryant, Ricardo Soliz, Richard Cantu, Rita Lucido, Roger Garcia, Roy Owen, Roz Shorter, Sammy Casados, Sandra Moore, SBOE, SD15, SD17, Senate, Shawn Thierry, Stan Stanart, Steven Chambers, The Lege | 3 Comments

County approves floodplain regulation change

Posted on December 7, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Five hundred is the new one hundred. The Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously on Tuesday to make significant changes to the way the county regulates new development, including a slew of new restrictions in Hurricane Harvey’s wake that officials … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Local politics | Tagged Commissioners Court, construction, flooding, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey | 6 Comments

Filing news: Adrian Garcia is in for County Commissioner

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia announced his candidacy for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct Two, citing his experience in bringing people together around smart government, transparency, and delivering results for taxpayers. “We all know that sometimes government … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, CD05, CD10, Commissioners Court, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2018, Harris County, Jeb Hensarling, Lance Gooden, Michael Siegel, Penny Shaw, Sammy Casados, Texas | 21 Comments

Filing news: The “What’s up with Lupe Valdez?” edition

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

On Wednesday, we were told that Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez had resigned her post in preparation for an announcement that she would be filing to run for Governor. Later that day, the story changed – she had not resigned, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adam Milasincic, Adrian Garcia, Armando Walle, Carol Alvarado, CD08, CD29, Commissioners Court, Dallas County, Democratic primary, Dwayne Bohac, Election 2018, endorsements, Fort Bend County, Gene Green, Greg Abbott, Harris County, HD138, HD145, Jay Stittleburg, Lupe Valdez, Montgomery County, Pasadena, Sammy Casados, SD06, special election, Steven David, Sylvia Garcia, Texas | 6 Comments

Harris County to consider floodplain regulations change

Posted on November 25, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Seems like a good idea to me. Nearly three months after Hurricane Harvey, Harris County is proposing using 500-year floodplains instead of 100-year floodplains for new development, the first significant overhaul of county elevation requirements in nearly two decades. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Local politics | Tagged Commissioners Court, construction, Ed Emmett, flooding, Harris County, Houston, Hurricane Harvey, Stephen Costello | 3 Comments

An incomplete filing update

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

First, a little Republican action in CD02. Hurricane Harvey is reshaping congressional campaigns in Houston. When the flood waters socked the Meyerland area, it also washed out the home of former hospital CEO David Balat, a Republican, who was hoping … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adam Milasincic, Alex Triantaphyllis, CD02, CD07, CD18, CD29, CD36, Commissioners Court, Congress, Daniel Box, Daniel Espinoza, David Balat, Dayna Steele, Democratic primary, Dominique Garcia, Fred Infortunio, Garnet Coleman, Gene Green, Gilbert Pena, Harris County, HD126, HD130, HD133, HD138, HD139, HD144, HD147, Hector Morales, James Cargas, Jarvis Johnson, Jason Westin, Jenifer Pool, John Culberson, Jon Powell, Kevin Roberts, Laura Moser, Lizzie FLetcher, Martin Schexnayder, Mary Ann Perez, Patricia Harless, primaries, Randy Bates, Richard Johnson, Rick Walker, Sam Harless, Sandra Moore, SD17, Senate, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvia Garcia, Ted Poe, Texas, The Lege, Todd Litton, Undrai Fizer | 2 Comments

Harris County sues Arkema

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County filed suit Thursday against Arkema over chemical fires at its Crosby plant in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, saying the company violated a long list of environmental, safety and building regulations and put first responders at risk. … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Legal matters | Tagged Arkema, Clean Air Act, Commissioners Court, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Hurricane Harvey, lawsuit, pollution, Vince Ryan | Comments Off

Who’s in for CD29?

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Start your engines, y’all. State Sen. Sylvia Garcia and state Rep. Armando Walle threw their hats in the ring Tuesday to represent the district that covers much of eastern Houston and part of Pasadena. State Rep. Carol Alvarado, meanwhile considering … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Armando Walle, Carol Alvarado, CD29, Commissioners Court, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2018, Gene Green, Hector Morales, Sylvia Garcia, Texas | 1 Comment

Dome bash planned

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Mark your calendars. Next year, Astrodome lovers will be able to once again take a gander at the stadium’s iconic roof before it embarks on its next adventure. During a mixer/meeting for friends and supporters of the Astrodome Conservancy, organizers … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Astrodome, Astrodome Park, Commissioners Court, Harris County, Houston | 6 Comments

City buys out some flooded homes

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Expect to see more of this. Houston City Council on Wednesday approved funding nearly 60 home buyouts across three flood-prone neighborhoods, the first such step from City Hall in recent memory. The city typically leaves buyouts to the Harris County … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged Army Corps of Engineers, Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, flooding, Harris County, Houston, Houston City Council, Hurricane Harvey, MUDs, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

We’re going to need another jury building

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck with that. Harris County is unlikely to repair Hurricane Harvey flood damage to the six-year-old, $13 million jury Assembly Building that sits beneath a park in downtown Houston’s courthouse square near Buffalo Bayou, County Judge Ed Emmett said … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Local politics | Tagged Commissioners Court, downtown, Ed Emmett, flooding, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Allison | 2 Comments

Harris County files lawsuit against Arkema

Posted on September 30, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

More trouble for that nasty and troublesome chemical plant. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday authorized the county attorney to file a lawsuit against Arkema over its struggles to manage stores of hazardous chemicals during Hurricane Harvey. The county’s Pollution … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Legal matters | Tagged Arkema, Clean Air Act, Commissioners Court, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Hurricane Harvey, Jack Morman, lawsuit, pollution | Comments Off

Harris County considers its budget post-Harvey

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

They have some choices, and some constraints. Harris County government departments could see their budgets reduced by up to 5 percent as property taxes take an expected dip due to Hurricane Harvey’s widespread destruction. The estimate is preliminary, County Budget … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina, Local politics | Tagged Bill Jackson, budget, Commissioners Court, flooding, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey, property taxes | 1 Comment

A couple of race updates

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The county slate is one step closer to being filled out for 2018, as Josh Wallenstein has announced his intent to run for the HCDE At Large Position 3 Trustee seat that Diane Trautman is giving up to challenge Stan … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Diane Trautman, District Clerk, Election 2017, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Judge, Harris County Treasurer, HCC, HCDE, HISD, HISD Board of Trustees, Josh Wallenstein, judicial races, Lina Hidalgo, Marilyn Burgess, Orlando Sanchez | 1 Comment

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