SocraticGadfly has presidential campaign updates on Trump and his Libertarian Party invite, Stein and an endorsement, and Biden and things Gazan.
Stace offers his Thoughts on Viernes regarding the politics of the first flood disaster of 2024 and his search for leaders who will defend student protesters.
And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs. The Eyewall has a look at the new ways that hurricane data will be collected and presented this season. Law Dork explains that of course Texas and Louisiana took their anti-LGBTQ+ Title IX challenges to their friendliest judges. Steve Vladeck dives into the Trump immunity argument before SCOTUS. In the Pink Texas shows us a real deepfake. The Observer stands up for Texas history.
The Texas Progressive Alliance wonders how a university president could ever think that inviting cops to a peaceful protest is a good idea as it brings you this week’s roundup.
Stace, in a provocative edition of Thoughts on Viernes opines on the local DA; the local mayor; and local Dems avoiding the subject of student protesters.
And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs. The Austin Chronicle reports on UT faculty’s reaction to the protest debacle. The Dallas Observer brings the harrowing story of a local band having their music deepfaked. City of Yes notes the prominence of LGBTQ-identifying lawmakers in the “yes in my backyard” housing reform movement. Texas 2036 warns that our state’s weather is indeed getting wilder. The Observer celebrates 70 years of its political cartoons. If you’re looking for guidance in your May school board elections, Howdy Politics and The Book Loving Texan’s Guide to the May School Board Elections have you covered.
I woke up to the news that ER Nurse and community organizer Molly Cook is my new State Senator after the special election to fill the SD15 vacancy. Running a disciplined and issues-driven campaign, Cook won handily with 57% of the vote. But it’s not over as we still have the Democratic run-off to elect our State Senator to a new term on May 28.
After living in SD13 for quite a while, the last round of redistricting had me forced into SD15 with a state senator I wasn’t too thrilled to have. Once that guy moved to city hall, the vacancy opened up a great opportunity to elect a candidate with an organizer’s mindset who will keep people energized for the 2024 elections.
Cook’s work on organizing I-45 expansion opponents and the Fair for Houston campaign, as well as a challenge to the SD15 incumbent in 2022, put her on the political map. And she hasn’t stopped. Cook will be the first woman elected to SD15–and it’s about time!
HCAD Win and Run-Offs
Place 1 will be filled by Kathy Blueford-Daniels who outlasted a right-winger without need for a run-off. Melissa Noriega will be out candidate in the Place 2 run-off. And a late surge by Pelumi Adeleke ensured her spot in the Place 3 run-off.
So, looks like we have the Democratic Primary run-off on May 28, and one more run-off for HCAD in June.
Remember to vote in the Special and Uniform election on Saturday, May 4. Vote at any voting center. Vote the Stace Slate. Vote for Molly Cook for Texas Senate District 15. Vote for Bluford-Daniels, Noriega, and Adeleke in the HCAD races. Click here for a sample ballot. Kuff has more and more.
The Democratic Run-off is on May 28. I’ll have a Stace Slate for that one, too, next week.
First Flood Disaster of 2024
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo acted quickly to call for a mandatory evacuation of areas in Northeast Harris County who are experiencing some massive flooding. She signed a disaster declaration to ensure resources are readily available to help evacuees with their needs and officials to deal with the situation effectively.
Thursday’s rains certainly exacerbated conditions. It doesn’t help when the guy at city hall calls a performative and actionless press conference and the press tries to make it about the elected officials and not the flood victims. It doesn’t help the situation that the guy Judge Hidalgo beat in 2018 is given a platform to mouth off about the woman he lost to in the middle of a disaster. (Dude, you lost! “Hunker down” and watch! And, people, stop trying to give Ed Emmett relevance.) And it doesn’t help that someone who didn’t run against the losing guy because she didn’t want to offend him in 2018 now wants to run in 2026 and is getting press for it. All while disaster is afoot!
Meanwhile, Judge Hidalgo is doing the job. Hopefully, we won’t have too many of these disasters over Hurricane season. Thankfully, we have a County Judge who does the job and a friendly federal government (for now) who won’t mind helping us out in the event of these kind of disasters. You know, without trying to make a show of it at a fire station.
Still Seeking Leadership
Where are all the local and state Democratic elected officials who continue to fail in calling out the police attacks on college campuses? Our college students aren’t only in Texas but they go everywhere. After Biden’s weak “I support you, but…” statement yesterday, it would seem the electeds are just following along, instead of showing us what they’re worth.
I will say that Senator Bernie Sanders is so right when he reminds us that while we are sending out armed officers to attack students expressing themselves as is their right, the attack on Palestinian children and people continues with no end in sight. Someone needs to stand up and speak out against these atrocities, since our leaders are too busy giving out and receiving medals.
SocraticGadfly, having seen that H-E-B has arrived on the north side of the Metroplex, decided to indulge nostalgia, if nothing else, but found it (and the H-E-B cult) crushed by reality when compared with shopping options he already has.
======================== And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs. Your Local Epidemiologist goes over the research on the “hygiene hypothesis” for kids’ health. The San Antonio Report introduces the Bexar County candidates for their appraisal district board. The Fort Worth Report attended a candidates forum for Tarrant Appraisal District Board hopefuls. Texas 2036 has bad news about how our students are doing in math. The Observer warns that the recent Panhandle wildfire is a harbinger. The Bloggess may have solved a little art mystery.
In her usual vindictive way, the local DA gave the case in which she is railroading some county staffers to someone even more vindictive, Texas AG Paxton. Apparently, she couldn’t finish the job, so why not give it to someone who hates local control, is constantly suing Harris County, and hates Judge Lina Hidalgo as much as she does?
I expected this after overwhelming winner of the DA’s race Sean Teare stated he would hand the case to a DA in another county to attempt to achieve some fairness. Obviously, Ogg wanted to get ahead of this since her days in office are numbered and continually ineffective.
I grow more and more disappointed in those “popular” Dems who continue to stand with Ogg. They have continually propped up an awful elected official. One only wonders why.
Speaking of Assholes
The story still continues of the local Mayor avoiding and snubbing County Judge Lina Hidalgo. What is it with gringo Dems and their sycophants treating our county judge with such disrespect when there is work to be done?
According to the Chron, Whitmire will meet “when it’s time.” What the hell does that mean? Whitmire has been making decisions on streets and infrastructure without any input–even from citizens, but a “team” has been meeting with the County on disaster preparedness as if he doesn’t get a final word on the city’s participation.
Hidalgo said the rebuff could endanger Harris County residents as hurricane season approaches and the two offices start to coordinate emergency preparedness plans.
“Harris County has many millions of people,” Hidalgo said Monday. “We can’t have the relationship between two people imperil the safety of all the other millions.”
We have a petty Mayor in this city. Those who hang off his hind side aren’t looking good at the moment.
Where’s The Leadership?
Thus far, I’ve seen a few responses from local electeds regarding Greg Abbott’s DPS attacking college students calling for peace in Gaza. This is the same DPS that the local mayor supports taking to our streets to “enforce” the law in their own way.
Where is everybody? Or do you support Greg Abbott? Or are you under orders from some other entity? Some of us just want to know where you stand.
As representatives of the people, we stand in solidarity with the students and activists who are bravely advocating for justice and accountability. Their courage and determination remind us of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in our society. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and work towards ensuring that all Texans can exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.”
Posted onApril 22, 2024|Comments Off on Early Voting Begins for May 4 Election
In case you didn’t know, we have two elections in May. While the Democratic Primary run-offs will be decided later this month, today is the first day of EARLY VOTING for the May 4 Uniform and Special Election, which includes the Senate District 15 race to replace the guy that left to move to city hall.
Added to this is the election to elect three individual to the all-new Harris Central Appraisal District board of directors.
Posted onApril 19, 2024|Comments Off on Thoughts on 19 Years, Harris County, and SD15
A Short Break
Every now and then the reality of politics, whether it’s international, national, state, or local, just gets to me and I take a break from writing anything. Sometimes, I even ignore the news–as much as one can in this world. I was on another mental health break this month when I realized that I started DosCentavos.net 19 years ago this month. So, I thought I’d better write something to commemorate this as I begin to head toward year 20.
I really don’t know what to expect during this next year. We have several elections, starting in May and ending in November, that will be very consequential at various levels. Personally, I have some things going on that will be very consequential, too. So, continual writing–a la Kuff–is still not in my plans, but it is hard not to have an opinion with so much going on. So, I hope you will still hang out with me on the DC and enjoy my writings, whether they be about politics, music, or culture.
A Need for Accountability at the County
Judge Lina Hidalgo’s recent revelation of the outcome of an audit by the independently run County Auditor’s office is huge news that should change the way business is conducted in Harris County. And it’s about time.
…the county doesn’t produce a rigorous paper trail when choosing the winners of contracts. The engineering department, which oversees major infrastructure projects along with commissioners’ offices, did not have consistent records available until as recently as July 2023.
Judge Hidalgo is proposing that the decision on contracts be given to an independent purchasing department, rather than it be ruled by Commissioner’s Court. It should be added that the Judge does not accept political contributions from vendors, while Commissioner’s campaigns–both parties–are heavily funded by vendor donations.
Currently, companies are chosen by engineering department staff, as well as staff from the four commissioner’s offices. There were no conflict of interest certifications on file for those employees and no written policies requiring staff to document their conflicts, according to the audit.
I think I heard that 90+% of vendors make political contributions to curry favor. As things stand with Commissioners having the ultimate say, we have what amounts to four fiefdoms with a lot of power over tax dollars without much accountability as to who gets the money among the vendors. Or why they got the money. While Commissioner Rodney Ellis offered “tepid” support, the other three seem to be against it.
I think there is room for compromise. Perhaps each Commissioner and their staff should still manage the infrastructure in their respective precincts, but there must be more control and accountability regarding awarding contracts. You never know when an awful DA may try to railroad you, right?
The idea of “centralizing” things isn’t new, but that would mess with a commissioner’s political accountability and their ability to serve immediate needs–like the jagged potholes that always appear on Queenston in NW Harris County. Besides, the only truly centralized thing I’d like to see is to get rid of vendors and have public employees do all of the work so that there is better accountability and better treatment of workers overseen by the County. But that’s just the socialist in me.
Anyway, I have a feeling this all points to what is to come in Harris County politics in the near future. I saw so many things–even from my perch in front of my laptop–that just didn’t sit well with me. Given the last mayoral election and the sycophantic behavior among many, it’s safe to say that my dislike list has grown while local battles between Dems are going to become a thing.
SD15 is Jumping!
I’ve been checking my mail frequently and I am really impressed with Molly Cook‘s messaging, especially her calling out opponent, Jarvis Johnson and his funders and bad votes he has taken. She has a particularly good digital ad, too. While Johnson runs on what he calls experience of being a long-time insider, Cook brings a fresh approach to legislation backed up by experience in organizing voters on the ground. On top of this, she works as an ER nurse. Talk about being among the people. If I were Jarvis, I wouldn’t be beating this “experience” thing too hard. Being on the inside is really getting old, no matter what Party one belongs to.
We have two elections for SD 15. May 4 is the special election to replace the last guy and May 24 the the Democratic Primary run-off. More on this in another post soon. For now, check out this ad!
Comments Off on Thoughts on 19 Years, Harris County, and SD15
Posted onMarch 24, 2024|Comments Off on Los Blogs de Tejas – TPA Round-Up
The Texas Progressive Alliance would like for just one of the cases against the Former Guy to get a firm court date and stick with it as it brings you this week’s roundup.
From his second blog site, SocraticGadfly says that the biggest differentiator on taking climate change seriously enough to talk about a “climate crisis” is NOT Democrats vs Republicans, nor is it “fundagelical” Christians vs others, nor is it liberal vs conservative peoples of any world religion. It is, rather, secularists vs religious believers in general.
And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs. The Texas Living Waters Project reports on Austin’s efforts towards becoming water sustainable. Your Local Epidemiologist updates us on measles and more. The Observer analyzes the federal court ruling that took away the right of Texas state employees to protect women’s health, and enable them to keep their jobs, during pregnancy and while recovering from childbirth. Juanita got VIP treatment at the SxSW premier of the Alex Jones documentary, which features her son as one of the attorneys that doggedly pursued justice for the Newtown parents that Jones has been tormenting. Here’s an Austin Chronicle review of that movie. The TSTA Blog says the fight over vouchers isn’t over but warns that the bad guys still have all the money in that fight. Frank Strong would like to talk about the latest school district to fall victim to Christian nationalist influences.
Well, our friends at FIEL are holding a protest of the on-hold law on March 30, 11AM at Antioch Park, 554 Clay, Houston, TX. It’s time to rise up and send a message; and that goes for Democratic activists and politicians, too.
Given arguments before the 5th Circuit, there is only more confusion and uncertainty about actually enforcing the law and the people it affects. That means Abbott’s intent is working: Keep Brown and Black people living in fear and allow law enforcement to run amuck doing whatever terror they wish to do on these communities, while appeasing a bigoted base of voters. Seriously, if a fear-monger like Greg Abbott didn’t even want to listen the courts during the battle over his floating balls, do you expect him to follow the rules or enforce them on law enforcement agencies, especially constables?
And, no, we cannot wait until the November election to send a message. And the message isn’t only for Republinuts.
How Are We Paying For It?
Much like Kuff, I keep asking just how are we supposed to pay for the local mayor’s deal with the firefighters? First of all, kudos to my own CM Tiffany Thomas and District J’s guy for asking the questions of the deal that must be asked. When the guy in charge doesn’t rep one’s values, then one must rely on those that represent. In this case, I was certainly represented when they asked where the Fire Chief was involved in all of this, given his exclusion at certain events. The other questions were important, too.
Though something called judgment bonds will pay for everything up front, according to one article, it will cost $72 million per year for debt service payments. For how long? Probably longer than the 5-year union contract they whipped up. Certainly, the bond lawyers are making a load of cash faster than we can pay for it.
What are the options? Well, since the City is facing a $60 million deficit for the next budget, it’ll probably be cuts to needed programs and increases in other fees. Certainly property taxes and increasing the revenue cap should be considered. Partnering with the county on some things is another idea, but that would entail County Judge Lina Hidalgo being acknowledged by the Houston guy.
Also, a reminder to the guy in charge: Just because you say “transparency” doesn’t mean you’re being transparent.
Fascist, Election Denying Loser on the METRO Board
I think that’s all that needs to be said about this. And no, she didn’t “win” anything…again!
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