Tag Archives: Houston City Council

More on the urban transit corridors ordinance

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned last week that the city was getting set to do an overhaul of its planning codes. In particular, there’s a proposed transit corridor ordinance that is up for public discussion on Thursday and a City Council vote in … Continue reading →

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One week of early voting in the District H runoff

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I did my civic duty on Friday at Moody Park, early in the morning – according to the sign-in sheet, I was the fifth person to vote that day. That makes me one of 1302 people to cast their ballot, … Continue reading →

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Enabling pedestrians

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know how big a deal this is likely to be, but it’s nice to be talking about it. More than five years after inaugurating its light rail system, Houston is taking its first, tentative steps to make it … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Ed again

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reiterates its earlier endorsement of Ed Gonzalez for the District H special election runoff. In a matchup of two well qualified candidates to replace former District H council member and now Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, the Chronicle … Continue reading →

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Early voting underway in District H runoff

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I know it’s been a lot of Lege stuff around here lately, but the end of the session means the start of early voting for the District H runoff. I figure I’ll probably do my civic duty this weekend, maybe … Continue reading →

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Houston’s budget

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron asks if the city of Houston’s budget is balanced, then answers that question with a “Well, maybe”. Does the city of Houston have a balanced budget? Like so many things in politics, it depends on whom you ask. … Continue reading →

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Who should represent District H?

Posted on May 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the question, isn’t it? It took only a few minutes at the District H candidate forum Thursday morning for discussion to turn to the elephant in the room. “District H is supposed to be a Hispanic district,” said Edgar … Continue reading →

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Houston extends red light camera contract

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll have red light cameras to kick around for at least a few more years. The City Council extended the contract of the company that administers its red-light camera program for three more years Wednesday, aiming to thwart legislation pending … Continue reading →

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More on the City Council redistricting lawsuit dismissal

Posted on May 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story about the dismissal of the lawsuit, brought by Vidal Martinez and Carroll Robinson. The lawsuit argued the city was violating its own charter by refusing to redistrict and add two council districts when its population passed … Continue reading →

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City Council redistricting lawsuit dismissed

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Marc Campos mentions this in passing: This past Friday, a federal judge threw out Lopez v. City of Houston. That is the lawsuit filed by Vidal Martinez to force the City of H-Town to draw two more district council seats … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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A look at the District H runoff

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Professor Murray takes a look at the upcoming runoff in District H, taking into consideration the 1992 Congressional election in which Rep. Gene Green won a runoff against Ben Reyes and the early and absentee voting patterns from this election. … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Yolanda backs Maverick

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Yolanda Navarro Flores, who finished third in the District H special election on May 9, has endorsed Maverick Welsh for the runoff. From the email the Welsh campaign sent out: “Maverick Welsh will be a great city council member. He … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Roy’s self-inflation

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is not the kind of story candidates like to see written about themselves. Houston mayoral candidate Roy Morales told a group of voters in March, “I manage the Head Start program.” The claim by the retired Air Force lieutenant … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Ed and Maverick in District H

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

All the votes are in, and it’s Ed Gonzalez and Maverick Welsh in the runoff for District H. With all 13 precincts reporting and nearly 4,200 ballots cast in a district of more than 93,000 registered voters, Gonzalez had 31.4 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Vote today

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today is Election Day for many places in Texas. They’re electing new Mayors in Austin and San Antonio, along with the regularly scheduled municipal elections in those cities and others. Here in Houston, it’s showtime for the District H special … Continue reading →

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Projecting District H

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The final early vote tallies are in, and thanks to relatively busy days on Monday and Tuesday, a total of 1870 ballots have been cast by mail or in person as of the end of early voting on Tuesday. That’s … Continue reading →

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More candidates

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I was just saying to someone the other day that while I thought the fields for the upcoming city races were largely set, there would certainly be a few more candidates appearing between now and the filing deadline. Lo and … Continue reading →

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More candidates

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I was just saying to someone the other day that while I thought the fields for the upcoming city races were largely set, there would certainly be a few more candidates appearing between now and the filing deadline. Lo and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Last day of early voting for the May elections

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the last day to vote early in the May elections in Texas, including the special election for Houston City Council District H. Here (PDF) are the early vote totals through Sunday. As of then, 1221 people had voted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Ed for H

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle makes its endorsement in District H. An unusually well-qualified field of candidates is vying to replace former incumbent Adrian Garcia, who was elected Harris County Sheriff in November. The Chronicle believes Garcia’s former council community liaison, 18-year Houston … Continue reading →

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Early voting in District H

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Not a whole lot of people have voted in the District H special election so far. You can see the daily totals here (PDF). Through Wednesday, a grand total of 832 in-person and mail ballots have been cast. I think … Continue reading →

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Chron District H overview

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting for the District H special election begins tomorrow. Here’s the Chron’s usual overview story on the race, in which each candidate gets a paragraph of biography and a paragraph of quotation. Dunno if that’ll help you make up … Continue reading →

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More on Lonnie Allsbrooks

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Lonnie Allsbrooks, the most recent entrant in the race for City Council At Large #1, sent a missive to Swamplot about problems he’s had trying to open a second establishment with a beer and wine license. It’s not easily excerpted, … Continue reading →

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Another contender for At Large #1

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The following press release hit my Inbox today: Lonnie Allsbrooks announced his intent to become candidate for At-Large Position 1 for the City of Houston. Lonnie Allsbrooks, a successful small business owner from the Heights, has decided to run for … Continue reading →

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Hey, remember when we were gonna reform county ethics?

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

How’s that been going? Efforts to clean up Harris County government appear to be on indefinite hold as any serious debate about ethics reform has been derailed for months by infighting and political gamesmanship. Commissioners Court has yet to act … Continue reading →

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Casey on City Council redistricting

Posted on April 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Casey provides an update on the City Council redistricting lawsuit. The burning question of whether the city of Houston must immediately expand its 14-member City Council by adding two new districts in time for November’s election, or whether it … Continue reading →

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Neil talks to Noel

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Neil Aquino wrote a post last week about At Large #4 candidate Noel Freeman, whom he had just met, and asked him a few questions about his campaign and vision for the city. Noel’s responses are here, and they’re worth … Continue reading →

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Last candidate forums for District H

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Just a reminder about tonight’s candidate forum sponsored by the Woodland Heights Civic Association. 7:30 PM at the Zion Lutheran Church on Pecore at Beauchamp. Here’s the map, the street address is 3606 Beauchamp. I am aware of one more … Continue reading →

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Registration deadline for District H

Posted on April 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

If you live in District H and have are not registered to vote, today is the last day you can do so and still be eligible to vote in that election on May 9. Go to http://www.hctax.net/voter/voterselect.asp for more information … Continue reading →

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Council OKs TIRZ deal for Regent Square

Posted on April 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The deal to jumpstart Regent Square, the idle development on Allen Parkway, was approved by City Council yesterday. The program, approved unanimously by City Council, will reimburse the developer of Regent Square — a 4-million-square-foot community that will abut Allen … Continue reading →

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Precinct data: The City Council districts revised

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last week, I presented data on the 2008 election results by City Council district and by city of Houston/not City of Houston. I said at the time that the measurement was a bit rough because precinct boundaries do not conform … Continue reading →

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Candidate interview: Ed Gonzalez

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

And with the announcement of early voting locations and times, and the realization that early voting is three weeks away, I bring you the last of my interviews with candidates in the District H special election. Today’s subject is Ed … Continue reading →

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Litt announces for At Large #1

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Former HCC Trustee Herman Litt has been a potential candidate for City Council this year for some time. Last night, in an email to Carl Whitmarsh’s list, he made his official announcement: I am announcing my decision to run for … Continue reading →

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Early voting schedule and locations for District H

Posted on April 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting for the District H special election begins three weeks from tomorrow, on Monday, April 27. The Harris County Clerk has posted the early voting schedule and locations (PDF) for this election. Briefly summarized, it is as follows: For … Continue reading →

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