Tag Archives: Houston

Early voting begins today for Council and HCC runoffs

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the map. Note that only City of Houston locations are open, since the only runoffs are for City Council and HCC Trustee. Early voting runs from today through next Tuesday, December 10, from 7 AM to 7 PM each … Continue reading →

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Still rocking at KACC

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Alvin Community College’s little radio station that could is a welcome bright spot in an increasingly bleak terrestrial radio landscape. With only 5,600 watts of power and a staff made up almost … Continue reading →

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Bob Stein on the District I runoff

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll cut to the chase and just excerpt the conclusion of Rice poli sci prof Bob Stein’s analysis of the District I runoff between Graci Garces and Robert Gallegos. The runoff election in District I should be highly competitive with … Continue reading →

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The lost canopy

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Very disappointing. Metro officials on Thursday scaled back plans for an iconic downtown Houston transit hub where three rail lines will cross after board members grew frustrated with what they called inexcusable delays and cost overruns. “This has been mismanaged … Continue reading →

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Bringing the NWSL to Houston

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I approve of this. The Dynamo are in talks about securing an expansion franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League, which features U.S. national team stars Alex Morgan, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach. The eight-team NWSL played its inaugural season … Continue reading →

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City settles longstanding litigation with strip clubs

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Mayor’s press release: Recognizing Houston is a hub for human trafficking, the City and 16 area topless clubs have entered into a novel settlement agreement aimed at addressing this heinous crime, ending litigation dating back to 1997 when … Continue reading →

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Recycle that cooking oil

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

A public service announcement from the city. The holidays are upon us and that means cooking turkeys, hams and other foods that either require cooking oils to prepare or that generate a surplus of grease when cooked. Used cooking oils … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

More on the Mayor’s payday lending ordinance

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Chron story on Mayor Parker’s proposed payday lending ordinance, which is described as having been toughened up from an earlier proposal: Consumer groups had called [City Attorney David] Feldman’s compromise proposal too weak; he said he preferred tougher … Continue reading →

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Bradford calls for review of HPD oversight

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

He’s right that something needs to be done to ensure that people feel confident in the system. Houston City Councilman and former Police Chief C.O. “Brad” Bradford said citizens have lost faith in the city’s oversight of the use of … Continue reading →

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Where the early vote was

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I thought that the high turnout we were seeing in Early Voting for this past election was not so much an indicator of high turnout but of a shift in voting behavior similar to what we had … Continue reading →

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Who’s supporting whom in District D

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron checks with the ten candidates that did not make the runoff in District D to see who is endorsing frontrunner Dwight Boykins and who is going with runnerup Georgia Provost. [Keith] Caldwell and [Demetria] Smith are supporting Boykins. … Continue reading →

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Runoff endorsement watch: For Kubosh

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes the last of its runoff endorsements by choosing Michael Kubosh in At Large #3. Looking at the candidates for the runoff, it feels a bit like the whole City Council At-large 3 race was a competition of … Continue reading →

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The Mayor’s payday lending proposal

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Parker sure isn’t wasting any time on her last-term agenda. Next up on the list: the payday lending ordinance we’ve been waiting for. With support from other major Texas cities and numerous advocacy groups, Mayor Annise Parker today unveiled … Continue reading →

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Crane sues McLane

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be fun. Jim Crane’s Astros ownership group filed a state court lawsuit Thursday against former Astros owner Drayton McLane, Comcast and NBC Universal, accusing them of fraud and civil conspiracy and accusing McLane’s corporation that owned the … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: Two quick takes

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I had wondered if partisan affiliation might be a factor in the HISD 7 race between Republican incumbent Harvin Moore and Democratic challenger Anne Sung. Like Houston races, HISD Trustee races are officially non-partisan, but also like Houston races, people … Continue reading →

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Council passes wage theft ordinance

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Well done. Houston City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt an ordinance aimed at deterring companies from stealing workers’ wages and ensuring the city does not hire firms that do, though supporters acknowledged the measure’s limited reach. The seemingly easy … Continue reading →

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Federal lawsuit against HISD and Trustee Larry Marshall dismissed

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good, I guess. A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a three-year-old bribery lawsuit against the Houston school district and trustee Larry Marshall, ending the prospect of a high-profile jury trial. U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison ruled in part that the … Continue reading →

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Runoff endorsement watch: Boykins in D

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As noted before, there are two runoffs in which neither of the candidates were endorsed by the Chron in Round One. One of those races is in District D, and the Chron’s choice for Round Two is Dwight Boykins. “I’m … Continue reading →

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Mayor Parker announces same sex spousal benefits for city employees

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Parker had been talking recently about a more comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for Houston and possibly revisiting the 2001 charter amendment that forbids the city from offering domestic partner benefits. I knew something would be coming, but I didn’t expect … Continue reading →

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Ashby Highrise lawsuit gets underway

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Better settle in and get comfy, we’re going to be here awhile. The trial that began Tuesday over the Ashby high-rise planned for a neighborhood near Rice University is poised to be a battle of experts. A Harris County jury … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: City Controller

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s move on to the Controller’s race, where incumbent Ronald Green held on to win a third term against challenger Bill Frazer. Dist Frazer Green Frazer% Green% ===================================== A 6,609 4,102 61.70% 38.30% B 1,637 10,035 14.03% 85.97% C 14,185 … Continue reading →

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Ashby Highrise trial begins today

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This has been a long time coming. The case in state District Judge Randy Wilson’s court will begin Tuesday and is expected to last four weeks. A jury will hear from the parties involved and experts on both sides to … Continue reading →

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Wage theft ordinance back before Council

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It should be up for discussion this week. “Wage theft is defined as a situation in which someone employs someone to perform a service, not intending to pay them wages. That’s an extreme offense,” [City Attorney David] Feldman said. “The … Continue reading →

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More riders, fewer routes

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Metro keeps moving towards its re-imagined bus service, which is aimed at increasing ridership. Currently, Metro operates on a philosophy that half its resources should go toward high-performing routes and half to making sure everyone has convenient access to a … Continue reading →

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

Magnet reprieve

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This was unexpected. HISD Superintendent Terry Grier has reversed course and decided to give 20 struggling magnet programs another year before eliminating all their extra funding. The sudden switch from the plan he unveiled last month comes after some parents … Continue reading →

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Re-endorsement watch: Three Council repeats

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reiterates its endorsement in three Council races. David Robinson: In the run-off for At-large Council Position 2, there is an especially clear choice facing city voters. Architect David Robinson has the professional skills and lengthy experience as a … Continue reading →

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Re-endorsement watch: The same crew for HCC

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reiterates its support for the three HCC runoff candidates they had originally endorsed for November. Zeph Capo is the clear choice for voters in District 1, the northside district that has been extended to include the impoverished Gulfton … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: At Large 2 and 3

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of action, and lots of candidates in the At Large races this year. Let’s look at the two races that are going to the runoffs, At Large #2 and 3. First is AL2, in which first term CM Andrew … Continue reading →

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Lisa Falkenberg profiles Dave Wilson

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I’m very glad to see some coverage of Dave Wilson that includes relevant information about who he is. Narrow-minded bigot. Homophobic hate-meister. Political mischief-maker. Given all the unkind labels Dave Wilson has incurred over the years, I wasn’t sure what … Continue reading →

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Reminder: I-45 public meeting tonight

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From The Highwayman: As officials take another step in the process of widening Interstate 45 from downtown north to the Sam Houston Tollway, one option to essentially make the teardrop-shaped inner loop created by I-45 and U.S. 59 an odd … Continue reading →

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Three questions for the runoffs

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

There are eight runoff elections on the ballot in Houston – two At Large Council races, three District Council races, and three HCC Trustee races. As we transition into runoff mode, there are three questions on my mind for the … Continue reading →

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How Dave Wilson campaigned

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From KHOU: Dave Wilson chuckles as he talks about his unorthodox political campaign. “I’d always said it was a long shot,” Wilson says. “No, I didn’t expect to win.” Still, he figured he’d have fun running, because he was fed … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: The Dome and the jail

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Now that precinct data is out, the Chron has an updated take on what sunk the Astrodome referendum. Overall, 53.4 percent of Harris County voters rejected the bond issue that would have renovated the long-vacant Dome into a convention and … Continue reading →

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Meet Richard Nguyen

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Council Member-elect in District F is little known outside the district. From the opaque world of local Vietnamese politics comes a story as old as American politics, as inspiring as a Frank Capra movie, as bittersweet as the lost … Continue reading →

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