Tag Archives: Wendy Davis

I repeat: Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

This is what I’m talking about. At its state convention in Fort Worth last week, the Texas GOP amended its platform to include support for reparative therapy “for those patients seeking healing and wholeness from their homosexual lifestyle.” In response … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on I repeat: Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

UT/Trib poll: Abbott 44, Davis 32

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Whatever. Republican Greg Abbott leads Democrat Wendy Davis by 12 percentage points in the race for governor, according to a new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. That result is close to the 11-point spread, also in Abbott’s favor, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More plaintiffs respond to Abbott’s recusal motion

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I think it’s fair to say that the plaintiffs are strongly opposed to Greg Abbott’s attempt to get Judge Dietz recused in the school finance trial. Lawyers representing hundreds of school districts pushed back Thursday against Texas Attorney General Greg … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on More plaintiffs respond to Abbott’s recusal motion

Yes, Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, Greg. You can mumble all the vague platitudes you want, but this baby’s all yours. In the wake of the GOP’s approval of a platform that includes a hardline stance on immigration, Attorney General Greg Abbott finds himself at … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Yes, Greg Abbott owns the RPT platform

A tale of two perspectives

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Democratic perspective. Much has been written about the importance of groups like suburban women and Hispanics in the 2014 Texas governor’s race. But Democrat Wendy Davis said this week in her first interview of the campaign focused on LGBT … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Yes, Greg Abbott opposes the HERO

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

He just doesn’t want to be forced to admit it. When the Houston City Council passed its nondiscrimination ordinance including gay and transgender protections, top Democratic statewide candidates such as Sen. Wendy Davis were quick to celebrate. “All people should … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Where are all the ladies?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Christy Hoppe of the DMN notices something missing on the Republican side of the 2014 ballot. The Texas Republican Party has a girl problem. A glance down the list of GOP nominees set after Tuesday’s runoffs makes it look as … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Some postmortem thoughts

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib leads with the obvious. As the results of Republican primary runoffs began to roll in Tuesday evening, Texas Democrats realized they were getting exactly what they wanted — and exactly what they feared. The victories of Dan Patrick … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

California AG office does better on pay equity than Texas AG office

Posted on May 25, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

That’s gotta sting. Female lawyers in the California state prosecutor’s office don’t fall as far behind their male counterparts in pay as do female lawyers in the Texas attorney general’s office, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. Since March, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Time for the debate about debates to begin

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s getting to be debating season. Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis on Tuesday proposed a series of six debates with Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott in their race for governor. Her proposal came after Abbott earlier said he had accepted two … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Saturday mini-link roundup

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Three stories you should read that I didn’t have time to devote a full post to: AusChron: Abbott’s abject CPRIT failures The scandal broke after letters between the agency’s chief science officer, Nobel laureate Dr. Alfred Gilman, and CPRIT’s Chief … Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Saturday mini-link roundup

Another story on the huge inequities of our property tax system

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Press returns to an old favorite. “I’ve been sued every year by [JW Marriott],” says Michael Amezquita, the fiery chief appraiser of the Bexar County Appraisal District, which is currently ­facing $10.3 billion in appraisal-reduction litigation compared to … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Jay Aiyer: Consider a local option for pre-k

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Note: From time to time, I solicit guest posts from various individuals on different topics. While I like to think I know a little something about a lot of things, I’m fortunate to be acquainted with a number of people … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Jay Aiyer: Consider a local option for pre-k

Davis steps up attacks on Abbott over CPRIT

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Progress Texas gets the ball rolling. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) was supposed to provide funding for cancer research. But soon after its implementation, the multi-billion dollar entity was awarding grants to donors of Rick Perry … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Davis steps up attacks on Abbott over CPRIT

The small number of competitive legislative races in November

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib discusses the lack of legislative action in November. In the House, nine Republican and two Democratic races are still undecided. An early list of competitive November races — this is in a House with 150 seats — comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Davis vs the DGA

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Show some respect, y’all. The chairman of the Democratic Governors Association gave a less-than-rosy assessment of Sen. Wendy Davis’ chances Tuesday and got a slam in return from her campaign. Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, association chairman, failed to cite the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The equal pay issue in SD10

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Just as the issue of equal pay has become a big deal in the Governor’s race, so is it an issue in the race to succeed Sen. Wendy Davis in SD10. In the battle for Senate District 10, [Konni] Burton … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The equal pay issue in SD10

Boats N Hoes

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

With friends like these… The name of a fundraising group made waves in the tug-of-war between Republicans and Democrats over women voters on Wednesday. Political consulting firm employee Shaun Nowacki registered the political action committee, “Boats ‘N Hoes PAC,” with … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Boats N Hoes

PPP: Abbott 51, Davis 37

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Another discouraging poll from PPP. In the Governor’s race Greg Abbott’s at 51% to 37% for Wendy Davis. Those numbers are largely unchanged from our last poll of the state in early November when Abbott had a 50/35 advantage. Davis … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Another trip down Demography Lane

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From the Sunday Chron op-ed pages: Texas is headed for the ditch, but few people are aware of the state’s perilous path. The demographers have seen the future, though, because it’s foretold in their numbers. And they’ve been sounding the … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Another trip down Demography Lane

Davis keeps up the attack on Abbott over pre-k

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

She is not letting up. While addressing the Texas State Teachers Association’s convention in San Marcos on Saturday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis accused her Republican opponent, Greg Abbott, of backing away from his early education policy proposal. Abbott, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Davis keeps up the attack on Abbott over pre-k

Abbott denies his pre-k plan means standardized testing for 4-year-olds

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Glad we cleared that up. After questions were raised about language in a policy proposal that appears to call for the biannual testing of pre-kindergarten students, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott’s campaign is clarifying his early education plan, saying he is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Abbott denies his pre-k plan means standardized testing for 4-year-olds

A grassroots fighting force of extraordinary magnitude

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

At least, I hope it is. Addressing hundreds of volunteers on Saturday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis highlighted her efforts to mobilize Texas voters and once again attacked her Republican opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott, for being what she called … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A grassroots fighting force of extraordinary magnitude

The farm team

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Roll Call takes a look at the Texas Democrats of the future. Democrats rarely fielded competitive Senate candidates over the past two decades — the party’s three best performers in that time span received 44 percent, 43 percent and 43 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Abbott’s pre-K plan

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s about what you’d expect from someone who isn’t particularly interested in improving public education. Announcing the first of his education policy proposals Monday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott called for reforming pre-kindergarten programs before expanding access, saying that additional … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Abbott’s pre-K plan

Precinct analysis: Democratic primary elections

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I finally got around to asking for the canvass reports for the primaries in Harris County. I didn’t have any specific agenda in looking at the data from each, I just wanted to see what I could learn. Let’s start … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Just a reminder, the Ledbetter bill was bipartisan

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I mean, it had to be bipartisan to pass in the Lege, but let’s keep that in mind as the debate continues. After 42 years in the Texas House, Rep. Senfronia Thompson has earned a nickname – “Miz T” – … Continue reading →

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

Abbott sides with medical malpractice

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Awesome. The Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, accused of protecting a neurosurgeon who allegedly killed and maimed patients, gained an ally this week in Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. Abbott filed motions to intervene in three separate federal court … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rick Perry feels your pain, ladies

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

You know what you ladies need? A big heaping dose of Rick Perry explaining to you why all this “equal pay” stuff is so silly. Rick Perry said today it’s “nonsense” to focus on equal pay for women when there … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

We have ways of making you talk

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Poor Greg. Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott, under fire for dodging the details on some policy questions, is filling in the blanks on issues that could be key in his race for governor against Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis. The answers … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

So you want the federal government you keep suing to enforce that law you don’t support?

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

That would be Greg Abbott’s position on equal pay. Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott has let himself be out-wrestled on the sensitive issue of equal pay for equal work by Texas women. His answer, according to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tesla and Texas

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Tesla Motors currently can’t sell its cars in Texas via its preferred model of direct sales to consumers. Its attempts to modify state laws to allow for direct sales went nowhere last session, blocked by fierce opposition from the Texas … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Tesla and Texas

No pay equity problems here

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

No sauce for the gander, either. Women in Democrat gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis’ Senate office last year averaged about $3,000 more in earnings than the male employees, according to data acquired by Austin bureau chief Peggy Fikac. Out of 12 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on No pay equity problems here

It’s as much about Leticia as it is about Dan

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte has been getting some love from the national press. But increasingly, on the ground in Texas, attention is shifting to San Antonio’s Van de Putte, who is running for lieutenant governor, a position that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments