Tag Archives: The Lege

As the Bonnen turns

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Drip, drip, drip… In the hours after hardline conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan exploded his political bombshell in late July — alleging House Speaker Dennis Bonnen wanted to target some of his own GOP members in 2020 — the lower … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on As the Bonnen turns

Life after the Voting Rights Act

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A good long read from the Trib about where we are with redistricting and what may lie ahead. Since Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, Texas has been barred by law from discriminating against voters of color. Yet … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Life after the Voting Rights Act

What can we really do about I-45?

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Urban planner Jeff Speck is once again warning us about the negative effects of widening I-45. TxDOT cites three principal motivations for advancing the I-45 project: reducing traffic congestion, improving driver safety, and improving air quality. These laudable goals are … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Will Lone Star Rail get resurrected?

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe! A coalition of San Antonio and Austin state representatives has asked the House Transportation Committee chair to study the possibility of passenger rail between the two cities ahead of the 2021 legislative session. Congestion between the two cities will … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Will Lone Star Rail get resurrected?

Try, try again

Posted on September 8, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

A lot of women ran for office as Democrats in 2018. A lot of them won, and a lot of them who didn’t win are trying again. [Gina Ortiz Jones isn’t] the only woman who’s back for a second round. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Try, try again

Dan Patrick says he’s for slightly expanded background checks

Posted on September 7, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a start. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he’s “willing to take an arrow” and defy the National Rifle Association by pressing Texas to close one loophole in gun-purchaser background checks. On Friday, Patrick said it’s “common sense” to tighten … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dan Patrick says he’s for slightly expanded background checks

The special election lineups are set

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

From the Trib: Democrats in HD-28 have coalesced around Elizabeth “Eliz” Markowitz, who was the only Democrat to file. Markowitz, a Katy teacher, unsuccessfully ran last year for State Board of Education District 7, which overlaps with HD-28. Six Republicans, … Continue reading →

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

We talk once again about straight ticket voting

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We have a new study, so we have a new reason. The state’s decision to kill straight-ticket voting could cut turnout in down-ballot races in the 2020 elections — even if more voters show up to the polls. Sure, those … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018, Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on We talk once again about straight ticket voting

Greg Abbott is not going to take action on gun violence

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Why would he? It’s not who he is. When Gov. Greg Abbott first convened the new Texas Safety Commission last month after the El Paso shooting, he brought with him a stack of papers and wasted little time directing the … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Five for fleeing

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

There goes another one. U.S. Rep. Bill Flores announced Wednesday morning that he would not run for reelection in 2020 — making him the fifth Texas Republican to announce his retirement from Congress. “Serving my country as the Representative of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with Eliz Markowitz

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to the city, HISD, and HCC races, the November ballot includes two special legislative elections in the greater Houston area. The first one that came about is in HD28, where outgoing Rep. John Zerwas stepped down to pursue … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Interview with Eliz Markowitz

Beer to go is here

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Hooray! The highly anticipated beer-to-go legislation officially [went] into effect Sunday, and local breweries [celebrated] the occasion by offering up cans, growlers and crowlers of beer for visitors to bring home — a simple act that has been illegal in … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Beer to go is here

The HD148 field keeps growing

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the current list of people who have filed CTAs for HD148, not including Rep. Jessica Farrar and her 2018 opponent Ryan McConnico: 83999 COH Isaacson, Terah C. 08/20/2019 State Representative Dist 148 65547 COH Yarbrough Camarena, Kendra J. 08/21/2019 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The HD148 field keeps growing

The Lege will not take any action on guns

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

By all means, keep calling for a special session to address the issue. Just do keep in mind who holds all the cards. At least 17 Texas state lawmakers are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

A reminder about the local legislative races

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s review the facts together. State Rep. Jon Rosenthal wasn’t supposed to win his Texas House seat last year. He was too much of a Democrat for the swath of northwest Harris County that had long elected Republicans. But in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The children will count us

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Great idea for something that shouldn’t have to be the case. Teresa Flores knows the costs of a census undercount as well as anyone. As the executive director of the Hidalgo County Head Start Program, one of the area’s most … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

MQS-Bonnen secret meeting investigation update

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Noted for the record. The top prosecutor in House Speaker Dennis Bonnen’s home district has joined the probe into Bonnen’s secret meeting with a conservative political activist, in which the activist alleges he was offered an illegal quid pro quo. … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on MQS-Bonnen secret meeting investigation update

HD148 update

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

From TX Elects: HD148 special: Houston physician Terah Isaacson established a campaign committee for a potential run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) as a Democrat. Houston resident Lui LaRotta established a campaign committee for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Our all-important metro areas

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Another look at the trouble Republicans face in Texas now. The key to Texas’ political future is whether it finally follows the geographic realignment that has transformed the politics of many other states over the past quarter century. Across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Pretty much everybody wants MQS to release the Bonnen recordings

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

From Twitter: JOINT STATEMENT BY REPS. KLICK, HUBERTY, GOLDMAN AND SANFORD “We call for the complete and unedited public release of the secretly recorded conversation between Speaker Bonnen, Representative Burrows and Michael Quinn Sullivan.” — Stephanie Klick (@StephanieKlick) 3:53 PM … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Pretty much everybody wants MQS to release the Bonnen recordings

The 2019 ballot order

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Time once again for this risible ceremony. The order of the November Houston ballot was set Friday morning in a random drawing at City Hall, laying out how the candidates for mayor, controller and city council will appear when voters … Continue reading →

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

Is there anything Houston can do about gun violence?

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Not much, unfortunately. Mayor Sylvester Turner on Wednesday said he wants state lawmakers to give cities and counties more flexibility to address gun violence in response to mass shootings this month that killed 31 people, including 22 in El Paso. … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Here comes beer to go

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Hooray! Starting Sept. 1, Texans will be able to leave brewery taprooms with a case of their favorite craft beer, and order wine and beer for delivery, thanks to two laws passed by the Legislature this year. Brewers and beer … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Special election set for HD148

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Straight from the source. Governor Greg Abbott today issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, November 5, 2019 as the special election date to fill the Texas House of Representatives District 148 seat recently vacated by former Representative Jessica Farrar. Candidates who … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019, Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Bonnen-MQS saga makes the Times

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Gotta love it when our little intramural squabbles go national. In Texas, they are calling it the case of “The Speaker and the Creeper.” The political imbroglio started last month, when Michael Quinn Sullivan, a conservative pit bull who routinely … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Bonnen-MQS saga makes the Times

Rep. Dustin Burrows steps down as House GOP Caucus Chair

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Noted for the record. State Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock has resigned as chair of the Texas House GOP Caucus, according to two people familiar with the matter. Burrows’ departure comes amid allegations that he and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rep. Dustin Burrows steps down as House GOP Caucus Chair

State Rep. Jessica Farrar departs

Posted on August 17, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This was unexpected. State Rep. Jessica Farrar, a Houston Democrat who has served in the Texas House for over two decades, is retiring from the lower chamber at the end of September. “I want to thank my constituents and the … Continue reading →

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

Special election set in HD28

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like I was a bit confused about this. Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday set a Nov. 5 special election to fill the Texas House seat being vacated by state Rep. John Zerwas, who last month announced he would retire … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2019 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Here come the Rangers

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know where this is going to go, but it sure will be fun getting there. The Texas House General Investigating Committee voted Monday to request that the Texas Rangers look into allegations against House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TDP sues over Bonnen-MQS secret meeting

Posted on August 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an interesting turn. The Texas Democratic Party is suing House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan, alleging they created an unregistered political action committee and violated other state election laws. The lawsuit, filed in Travis County … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on TDP sues over Bonnen-MQS secret meeting

Time to investigate

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

So, hey, that conversation we now know Dennis Bonnen had with MQS? The subject of that conversation, which involved a quid-pro-quo access-for-political-activity proposal, may be a violation of house rules. So, the relevant committee will have a look-see to check … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bonnen blinks

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

OMG. Speaker Dennis Bonnen on Tuesday apologized to his 149 colleagues for “terrible things” he said about some of them, just hours after more details emerged about slurs against fellow House members uttered by him and his chief GOP sidekick … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

There will be a special election in HD28

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Missed this the other day. The chair of the powerful House budget-writing Appropriations Committee, state Rep. John Zerwas, will be the new executive vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of Texas System. Zerwas, a doctor by training, announced … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on There will be a special election in HD28

It’s all about the tape

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

You want to hear the recording of that conversation between Speaker Dennis Bonnen and MQS in which Bonnen supposedly trashed a bunch of Republican legislators? You can’t hear it unless MQS wants you to. For the past week, Texas Republicans, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments