Tag Archives: Commissioners Court

Interview with Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Normally, I do candidate interviews for elections, though I do branch out sometimes when there’s an issue or some election-adjacent matter I want to explore. It’s in that spirit that I bring you this conversation I had with Commissioner Rodney … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Ann Harris Bennett, Commissioners Court, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, elections administrator, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Tax Assessor, interviews, Rodney Ellis, Texas, voter registration | 3 Comments

Harris County will hire an elections administrator

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Just like that. Harris County became the latest in Texas to adopt an independent administrator model to run elections when the Democratic majority on Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to create the new department. Court members voted 3-2 along party lines … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Ann Harris Bennett, Chris Hollins, Commissioners Court, Diane Trautman, Ed Emmett, elections administrator, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Tax Assessor, Lina Hidalgo, Rodney Ellis, Texas | 3 Comments

2020 primary runoff results: Judicial and county races

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Winding things up… The big, albeit not unexpected, news is that Cheryl Elliott Thornton defeated incumbent Judge Alex Smoots-Thomas, with over 70% of the vote. That honestly comes as a relief. I sincerely hope Judge Smoots-Thomas gets her stuff straightened … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged 14th Court of Appeals, Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Bridgette Smith-Lawson, Cheryl Elliott Thornton, Chris Diaz, Commissioners Court, Constable, County Attorney, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, Election 2020, Eric Fagan, Fort Bend County, Geneane Hughes, Harris County, Jennifer Cantu, Jerry Garcia, judicial races, Kali Morgan, Mark Alan Harrison, Michael Moore, recount, runoff, Sheriff, Sherman Eagleton, Tamika Craft, Teiva Bell, Texas | Comments Off

A new homelessness initiative

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously on Tuesday to authorize $18 million for a two-year program serving the homeless as advocates project a rise in homelessness with the novel coronavirus. The program is the county’s most ambitious partnership with … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Coalition for the Homeless, Commissioners Court, Congress, coronavirus, economy, Harris County, homelessness, Houston, Medicaid, quarantine, stimulus, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

Runoff reminder: County races

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Statewide, Congress, SBOE and State Senate, State House. There were a ton of contested county race primaries in Harris County, with all of the countywide offices except one HCDE position featuring at least three candidates. When the dust settled, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Beto O'Rourke, Bridgette Smith-Lawson, Chris Diaz, Commissioners Court, Constable, County Judge, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Election 2018, Election 2020, Eric Fagan, Fort Bend County, Geneane Hughes, Harris County, Israel Garcia, Jennifer Cantu, Jerry Garcia, Jose Garza, Justice of the Peace, Ken Jones, Lynette Reddix, Margaret Moore, Mark Alan Harrison, Michael Moore, Randy Newman, Richard Morrison, Rodney Ellis, Roel Garcia, runoff, Sheriff, Sherman Eagleton, Sonia Rash, Steve Radack, Texas, Travis County, Troy Nehls | 4 Comments

Meanwhile, the jail is filling up again

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We really need to do something about this. The Harris County Jail population has been steadily rising since late April and is now approaching its pre-pandemic capacity despite early efforts to curb crowding, according to the sheriff’s office. With an … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged bail, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, flooding, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, Hurricane Harvey, jail overcrowding, jails, Kim Ogg, lawsuit, TDCJ, Texas Commission on Jail Standards | 1 Comment

The current status on local police reform efforts

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Well, the budget amendment process didn’t do much. City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved Mayor Sylvester Turner’s $5.1 billion budget for the next fiscal year, slightly increasing funds for the Houston Police Department even as some cities are under pressure … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged ACLU of Texas, Adrian Garcia, Ashton Woods, budget, Commissioners Court, Constable, Ed Gonzalez, Edward Pollard, George Floyd, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, Houston, Houston City Council, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, HPD, HPOU, Immigrant Resource Legal Center, Independent Police Oversight Board, Letitia Plummer, Lina Hidalgo, Mark Herman, police, Rodney Ellis, Sherman Eagleton, Sylvester Turner, Tarsha Jackson, Texas Appleseed, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Organizing Project, United We Dream | 3 Comments

That’s a lot of mail ballots

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The new County Clerk isn’t messing around. Harris County this week sent mail ballot applications for the July primary runoff to every voter 65 and older, interim County Clerk Christopher Hollins announced. The move comes as Harris County is preparing … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged absentee ballots, Chris Hollins, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Diane Trautman, Election 2016, Election 2018, Election 2020, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Paul Bettencourt, primaries, runoff, Texas, turnout | 4 Comments

Commissioners Court to address police reform

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

On the agenda for today. Ten police and criminal justice reform items appear on Tuesday’s agenda; seven by Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, two by County Judge Lina Hidalgo and one by Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. They would: Examine … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Adrian Garcia, bail, CAHOOTS, Commissioners Court, Ed Gonzalez, George Floyd, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, Houston, jails, Letitia Plummer, Lina Hidalgo, police, Rodney Ellis | 6 Comments

Chris Hollins sworn in

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We have a County Clerk again. Christopher Hollins on Monday became the third Harris County clerk in three years, appointed to the post after the incumbent, Diane Trautman, resigned after 17 months because of unspecified health concerns. He has pledged … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged absentee ballots, Chris Hollins, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, lawsuit | 3 Comments

Here come the electric bikes

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Cool. Houston’s growing bike share system will jump into over-drive in the coming months, fueled by $250,000 in Harris County funds that will put 100 new electric bikes on city streets. An amended plan by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged B-Cycle, bicycles, Commissioners Court, electric bicycles, Harris County, Houston, Rodney Ellis | 2 Comments

So you want some flood bond project money?

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County plays a little hardball. Harris County on Tuesday plans to restrict flood bond projects to municipalities that meet its floodplain development standards, effectively forcing the 34 cities within its borders to adopt stricter rules to access the $2.5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged bond referendum, Commissioners Court, Election 2018, flooding, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey, Lina Hidalgo, local control | 8 Comments

Meet your new County Clerk

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Hello, Chris Hollins. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday appointed an attorney and Texas Democratic Party official as interim county clerk. Christopher Hollins, vice finance chairman for the state party, will serve until a new clerk can be elected in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Chris Hollins, Commissioners Court, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, elections administrator, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Lina Hidalgo, Rodney Ellis, Teneshia Hudspeth | 7 Comments

Could we get an elections administrator along with a new County Clerk?

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe. A week after Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman announced she would resign due to health concerns, Commissioners Court on Tuesday plans to debate whether to appoint an independent administrator to run county elections. After Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Beverly Kaufman, Commissioners Court, Diane Trautman, Ed Emmett, elections administrator, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Tax Assessor, Lina Hidalgo, Rodney Ellis, Texas Association of Elections Administrators, Travis County | 5 Comments

More runoff debates

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

In case you had not seen this, as I myself had not before Sunday. Watch Democratic Candidate Debates Here! Every Tuesday and Thursday in May, join us for our debate series: Debate Schedule: Tuesday, May 5 – Harris County Precinct … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Akilah Bacy, Anna Eastman, candidate forum, CD10, Chrysta Castaneda, Commissioners Court, Congress, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, Election 2020, Facebook, Harold Dutton, Harris County, HD138, HD142, HD148, Jenifer Pool, Jerry Davis, Kimberly McLeod, Michael Moore, Michelle Palmer, Mike Siegel, MJ Hegar, Penny Shaw, Pritash Gandhi, Railroad Commission, Robert Alonzo, Royce West, runoff, SBOE, Senate, Texas, The Lege, video | Comments Off

On picking a new County Clerk

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Stace has some thoughts. I’m of the opinion that the Democratic majority on the Commissioner’s Court should make a strong appointment of someone who will be the incumbent, making it clear that there is no need for a possible free-for-all … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged absentee ballots, Adrian Garcia, Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, Election 2022, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, HCDP, Ken Paxton, Lina Hidalgo, Rodney Ellis, voter registration | 23 Comments

Council goes virtual

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

About time. Houston City Council will go virtual beginning next week, Mayor Turner said Tuesday, a day after one of its 16 members tested positive for COVID-19. Turner said the switch to virtual meetings would continue for at least two … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Harris County, Houston, Houston City Council, Letitia Plummer, quarantine, Sylvester Turner | Comments Off

Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman to resign

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This was unexpected, to say the least. Harris County Clerk Diane Trautman will resign May 31 due to health concerns, she said Saturday afternoon. Trautman, 70, steps down just 16 months into her first term. She defeated incumbent clerk Stan … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged absentee ballots, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Lina Hidalgo, special election, voting centers | 15 Comments

What if it were Ed?

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The question to ask yourself in reading this story about Republicans bitching and moaning about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is “How different would things actually be if Ed Emmett were still County Judge?” By the time Harris County Judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Bexar County, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Dallas County, Dan Patrick, Democratic primary, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, Election 2020, Election 2022, face masks, fundraising, Greg Abbott, Greg Travis, Harris County, Harris County Judge, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Lina Hidalgo, Montgomery County, quarantine, Rodney Ellis, Steve Radack, Texas | 21 Comments

Harris County preps for more mail ballots

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted to spend up to $12 million for an expected uptick in requests for mail-in ballots in the July primary runoff and November general election from voters concerned about contracting the novel coronavirus … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged absentee ballots, Adrian Garcia, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, Lina Hidalgo, primaries, Republican Party, Rodney Ellis, runoff, Secretary of State, Texas, turnout | 1 Comment

Another review of Judge Hidalgo’s first year

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Though, oddly enough in a story about Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s first year in office, most of the text is about outgoing Commissioner Steve Radack and the two-year-long temper tantrum he’s been throwing. For many years, the Harris County … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Adrian Garcia, bail, Commissioners Court, Ed Emmett, Election 2018, Election 2020, Election 2022, Fort Bend County, Harris County, Harris County Judge, Jack Cagle, jails, lawsuit, Lina Hidalgo, local control, property taxes, Rodney Ellis, special session, Steve Radack, The Lege | 7 Comments

Emergency orders extended

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

In Houston. City council on Tuesday extended Houston’s emergency health declaration, reflecting a warning by Mayor Sylvester Turner that the public health crisis fueled by the spread of COVID-19 will not go away anytime soon. “This is a crisis. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, emergency powers, evictions, Harris County, Houston, Houston City Council, Jack Cagle, jails, Lina Hidalgo, Sylvester Turner, Texas | Comments Off

County to review countywide voting centers

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s make this work better. Commissioners Court has formed a working group to review Harris County’s shift to voting centers and examine what effect it had on hours-long lines at the polls on Primary Day, which Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Local politics | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Diane Trautman, Election 2020, Harris County, Harris County Clerk, Lina Hidalgo, primaries, Rodney Ellis, voting centers | 3 Comments

Runoff roundup

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Here, as best as I can determine, are the runoffs of interest for May: US Senate – MJ Hegar versus Royce West CD02 – Sima Ladjevardian versus Elisa Cardnell CD03 – Lulu Seikaly versus Sean McCaffity CD10 – Mike Siegel … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged 14th Court of Appeals, Akilah Bacy, Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Anna Eastman, Bryan Slaron, Candace Valenzuela, Candance White, Carrie Isaac, CD02, CD03, CD07, CD10, CD17, CD21, CD22, CD23, CD24, CD31, Cheri Thomas, Cheryl Elliott Thornton, Chris Diaz, Christine Eady Mann, Chrysta Castaneda, Cody Vasut, Commissioners Court, Congress, Constable, Dan Flynn, David Jaramillo, Democratic primary, Dennis Bonnen, Diana Alexander, Don Zimmerman, Donna Imam, Eddie Lucio, Election 2020, Elisa Cardnell, Gina Ortiz Jones, Glenn Rogers, Harold Dutton, HD02, HD100, HD119, HD138, HD142, HD148, HD25, HD26, HD45, HD47, HD59, HD60, HD67, Jacey Jetton, Jasmine Crockett, JD Sheffield, Jenifer Pool, Jennifer Fleck, Jennifer Ramos, Jerry Davis, Jerry Garcia, Jon Francis, judicial races, Kathaleen Wall, Kent Wymore, Kim Olson, Kimberly McLeod, Lani Popp, Liz Campos, Lorenzo Sanchez, Lorraine Birabil, Lulu Seikaly, Matt Morgan, Michael Moore, Michelle Palmer, MJ Hegar, Penny Shaw, Pete Sessions, primaries, Railroad Commission, Raul Reyes, recount, Renee Swann, Rick Kennedy, Ro'Vin Garrett, Robert Alonzo, Robert Morrow, Rocio Hernandez, Roland Gutierrez, Royce West, runoff, Sara Stapleton-Barrera, Sarah DeMerchant, SBOE, SD11, SD19, SD27, Sean McCaffity, Senate, Shelby Slawson, Sima Ladjevardian, Sri Kulkarni, Suleman Lalani, Susan Criss, Tamika Craft, Teiva Bell, Texas, The Lege, Tom Adair, Tony Gonzales, Troy Nehls, Wendy Davis, Wesley Hunt, Xochil Peña Rodriguez | 2 Comments

2020 primary results: Harris County

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start with this. Long lines combined with a lack of voting machines turned into frustration for voters at several election sites in Harris County on Super Tuesday. Margaret Hollie arrived at the Multi Service Center on Griggs Road at … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Andrea Duhon, Ann Harris Bennett, Cheryl Elliott Thornton, Christian Menefee, Commissioners Court, Daryl Moore, David Brown, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2020, George Powell, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, HCDE, HCDP, judicial races, Kim Ogg, Kristi Thibaut, Larry Weiman, Michael Moore, primaries, Randy Roll, Republican Party, Rodney Ellis, runoff, Steven Kirkland, Texas, turnout, Vince Ryan | 7 Comments

Please don’t freak out about coronavirus

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

If you are freaking out or think you may be on the verge of freaking out, or you know someone who is, Harris County is here to help. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Tuesday announced the creation of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged Chinatown, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, Harris County, Harris County Department of Public Health and Environmental Services, Houston, Lina Hidalgo, Texas | 3 Comments

Endorsement watch: Four more

Posted on February 21, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Rodney Ellis for County Commissioner, Precinct 1, and then proceeds to spend the endorsement mostly talking about his opponent. Count us among those who were a little surprised when felony court Judge Maria T. Jackson resigned her … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Amy Clark Meachum, Brandy Voss, Chrysta Castaneda, Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2020, endorsements, Harris County, Jerry Zimmerer, Kelly Stone, Maria Jackson, Railroad Commission, Rodney Ellis, Staci Williams, Supreme Court, Texas | 10 Comments

Endorsement watch: Ogg and Moore

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Two (*) big endorsements on Sunday, in the races for District Attorney and Commissioners Court, Precinct 3. Let’s do the thing. Kim Ogg for District Attorney: “We are in the midst of righting a lot of wrongs,” Ogg told the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Amy Klobuchar, Audia Jones, Brenda Stardig, Carvana Cloud, Commissioners Court, Curtis Todd Overstreet, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Election 2020, endorsements, Harris County, Kim Ogg, Kristi Thibaut, Michael Moore, Morris Overstreet, President, primaries | 2 Comments

Chron overview of Commissioners Court Precinct 1

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

As with endorsement editorials, they’re going to need to write a lot of these in the next couple of weeks. Few Harris County politicians — of any party — are eager to challenge Rodney Ellis, the widely known, well-funded, well-connected … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged bail, Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Harris County, Maria Jackson, Rodney Ellis | 3 Comments

Interview with Kristi Thibaut

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We come to the end of our candidate journey in Harris County Precinct 3. I’ve run out of facts to give about Steve Radack and the Republican history of the Court, so here’s a Houston Public Media story about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews, Kristi Thibaut | Comments Off

Interview with Morris Overstreet

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We continue in Commissioner Court Precinct 3. Steve Radack has done a lot of things in his 32 years on the Court, many of which I don’t care for. One thing I will give him for was his plan to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews, Morris Overstreet | Comments Off

Interview with Michael Moore

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We continue in Harris County Commissioners Court, Precinct 3. If Democrats win this race, they will have a 4-1 advantage on the Court, just two years after taking the majority for the first time since, I don’t know, the Seventies? … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews, Michael Moore | 2 Comments

Interview with Diana Martinez Alexander

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

It’s February, we’re two weeks out from the start of early voting for the 2020 primaries, and we’re going to spend this week in Harris County Commissioners Court, Precinct 3. Incumbent Steve Radack is stepping down after 32 years in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews | 1 Comment

Interview with Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t think I need to spend too much time introducing County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. A longtime State Senator after serving on Houston City Council, Ellis became the 2016 Democratic nominee for County Commissioner in Precinct 1 via that weird … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews, Rodney Ellis | Comments Off

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