Tag Archives: Houston

The 8 day non-filers

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Eight day campaign finance reports were posted on the city website on Monday and Tuesday. As of today, the following candidates do not have an 8 Day report available: Amanda Ullman, Mayor James Partsch-Galvan (*), At Large #1 Elizabeth Perez, … Continue reading →

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Eight day finance reports, part II

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Finishing what I started… – Fernando Herrera‘s report appeared on Tuesday. He raised $15,835, spent $27,185, and has $242.87 on hand. There were several expenditures on signs and a couple for “Advertising” that didn’t give me much of a clue … Continue reading →

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Early voting totals, Days 10 and 11

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Eleven days of Early Voting down, one to go. Here’s the Early Voting daily report from Day 11, plus the 2009 spreadsheet, the 2007 daily EV report, and the Erik Vidor spreadsheet, and our old friend the comparison chart: Type … Continue reading →

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I-45 is back on the agenda

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: After several years of the I-45 project being on hold, public meetings are now being scheduled by TxDOT. TxDOT is about to significantly change the I-45 project TxDOT has provided NO advance information on exactly what the … Continue reading →

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Early voting totals, Days 8 and 9

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Running a little late on these – it’s been that kind of a week – but here are your Early Vote totals through Tuesday, Day 9, plus the 2009 spreadsheet, the 2007 daily EV report, and the Erik Vidor spreadsheet, … Continue reading →

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Eight day reports, part 1

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The eight day finance reports started getting posted on the city’s campaign finance page yesterday. I’m still working through putting them on my 2011 Election page, but here are a few highlights so far: – Next to Mayor Parker, the … Continue reading →

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Food trucks

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The city of San Antonio is preparing to overhaul its regulations of food trucks. In San Antonio, strict mobile food vending laws make it difficult for food trucks to flourish. Acknowledging the need for change, officials are jump-starting a process … Continue reading →

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Early vote totals after one full week

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your early vote tabulation through Sunday, Day Seven, with five days to go. Here also are the 2009 spreadsheet, the 2007 daily EV report, and the Erik Vidor spreadsheet. Here’s the cumulative summary for the first full week: Type … Continue reading →

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On cities and counties

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m really getting tired of all this BS. Smarting from a $353,000 bill for the Reliant complex under the city of Houston’s new drainage fee, Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday discussed seeking legislation to let it keep city sales … Continue reading →

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Two finance report updates

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Since I’ve made a big deal out of who hasn’t filed their 30 Day campaign finance reports, I am compelled to note that as of October 27, Scott Boates in At Large #1 has now filed his. Eight day reports … Continue reading →

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Early vote totals, Days Four and Five

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your EV totals for Thursday and Friday, plus the 2009 spreadsheet, the 2007 daily EV report, and the Erik Vidor spreadsheet. And here’s the cumulative summary for the first five days: Type 2005 2007 2009 2011 ===================================== In Person … Continue reading →

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There’s an app for reporting handicapped parking space violators

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In Austin, anyway. Ever see someone parked illegally and wanted to do something about it? Your chance might be coming. A new smartphone app could allow people in Austin to report illegal parking in spots reserved for people with disabilities. … Continue reading →

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San Antonio B-Cycle expands

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Seven months after beginning, San Antonio’s bike sharing program has completed an expansion. B-cycle, San Antonio’s bike share program, now boasts 20 docking stations and 200 bikes. […] Yearly memberships for $30 are still available by visiting sanantonio.bcycle.com and using … Continue reading →

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Kroger gets its 380

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Despite neighborhood opposition, City Council has approved a 380 agreement for the proposed Kroger on Studemont at I-10. District H Councilman Ed Gonzalez, who represents the area around the proposed store and who championed the 380 agreement, insisted the deal … Continue reading →

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Early vote totals, Days Two and Three

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here are your Early Voting totals for Day Two and Day Three. As a reminder, here’s my spreadsheet from 2009; the Erik Vidor spreadsheet that has running totals from 2009, 2007, and 2005; and a new addition to my data … Continue reading →

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Where are the 30 day reports?

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

On October 11, the vast majority of 30 Day campaign finance reports were posted on the city’s website. Since then, only two new reports (not counting corrected reports) have been posted, with quite a few candidates not filing them at … Continue reading →

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Early voting totals, Day One

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Day One early voting totals for Harris County, which you can compare to the 2009 totals here. My buddy Erik Vidor also put together a spreadsheet with 2005 and 2007 totals that you can see here. There’s a … Continue reading →

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Early voting starts today

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the start of Early Voting for the 2011 elections. It will run through next Friday, November 4, with Election Day on Tuesday the 8th. You can see the EV schedule and locations here, or check out Greg‘s Google … Continue reading →

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League of Women Voters Houston 2011 Guide

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

For your perusal, in a printer-friendly format. (The Spanish language guide is here. It contains information about voter registration laws and the Constitutional amendments, and a brief Q&A with candidates from all the Houston races, including HISD and HCC. The … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of the Mayor’s race

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

For the Sunday that is the last day before the start of early voting, the Chron brings us their overview of the Mayor’s race. And a theme we’ve seen expressed once or twice before. Political analysts predict Mayor Annise Parker … Continue reading →

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Astros to the AL update

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I remain puzzled by this. Major League Baseball is discussing with prospective Astros owner Jim Crane possible compensation for agreeing to move the team to the American League. Three people familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday that MLB has … Continue reading →

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New parking regulations

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Hair Balls last week had a good discussion of a proposal by the city to revamp its 1989 Off Street Parking ordinance. Currently, bars — which are defined as having alcohol make up more than 75 percent of their sales … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of At Large #5

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to their belated endorsement in the At Large #5 race, the Chron now has its overview story of the race up as well. At-Large Position 5 Councilwoman Jolanda Jones arguably finds herself running as the upstart in her … Continue reading →

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There’s an app for finding a bus

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. Imagine this: You are walking around the Galleria and want to go to Discovery Green for a concert. But you’re not sure what bus to take. In a few months, you’ll be able use your smart phone to … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Bell for Jones

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Former Council Member and Mayoral candidate Chris Bell has endorsed Jolanda Jones for re-election, writing his own letter of support for her, which you can see here. Normally, I’m not that interested in this sort of personal endorsement, but since … Continue reading →

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RUDH files suit over 380 agreements

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: RUDH has filed a petition in Harris County District Court challenging the legality of a six million dollar tax reimbursement deal between the City of Houston and Ainbinder Heights, LLC, the developer of the Houston Heights area … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: The Chron proves me wrong

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I had thought that the Chron was going to endorse challenger Laurie Robinson in the At Large #5 race. I was wrong. Of the current 15 members of Houston City Council, including Mayor Annise Parker, none arouses the intense passions … Continue reading →

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KHOU polls the Mayor’s race

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We have our first published poll of the season. Mayor Annise Parker, leading the city during an era of budget cutbacks and high unemployment, has the lowest approval ratings of any Houston mayor in decades. That’s the striking headline popping … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: White for Christie

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This came as a surprise to me. Former Mayor Bill White has endorsed Jack Christie for the At-Large 5 City Council seat. It is the only endorsement the ex-mayor has made in this year’s city elections. White sent out a … Continue reading →

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Studemont Kroger update

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Heights Life brings news about the proposed Kroger at Studemont and I-10. Of particular interest is this bit: The property on which Kroger plans to build lies on the east side of Studemont north of Arne’s. The store will … Continue reading →

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Downtown shuttle service to return

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Do you miss the free trolleys that used to run downtown? A new version of that service is set to debut in the spring. The Houston Downtown Management District, funded through tax assessments on downtown properties, plans to launch a … Continue reading →

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Interview with Richard Schechter

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Along with HISD Trustees, there are three HCC Trustee races on the ballot. First up is Richard Schechter, who is serving his first term in District V. Schechter is an attorney who has also taught law classes at the Thurgood … Continue reading →

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City’s water use down

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t think there’s anything mysterious about this. Water usage has dropped nearly 20 percent since citywide restrictions were ordered in mid-August, possibly because residents have reluctantly complied and temperatures are dropping. Houston was pumping 647 million gallons a day … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: For Parker

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Mayor Parker for another term, noting how eventful this term has been. After she beat opponent Gene Locke in a 2009 runoff, the former three-term at-large council member and city controller opined that she felt like the … Continue reading →

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