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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Off the Kuff</title> <atom:link href="http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/atom.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp</link> <description>Knowledge Is Good</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 12:54:11 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.4</generator> <item> <title>Judge throws out contested Pierce/Jones election</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114574</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114574#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 10:01:49 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category> <category><![CDATA[DaSean Jones]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Election 2022]]></category> <category><![CDATA[election contest]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Erin Lunceford]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County Attorney]]></category> <category><![CDATA[judicial races]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Porscha Brown]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tami Pierce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tamika Craft]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[voter ID]]></category> <category><![CDATA[voter registration]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114574</guid> <description><![CDATA[I was at an event on Wednesday night so I didn’t see this until later in the evening. I didn’t have the best night’s sleep that night, I’ll tell you. A visiting judge from Bexar County on Wednesday ordered a … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114574">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was at an event on Wednesday night so I didn’t see <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/judge-orders-redo-harris-county-judicial-election-19460065.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">this</a> until later in the evening. I didn’t have the best night’s sleep that night, I’ll tell you.</p><blockquote><p>A visiting judge from Bexar County on Wednesday ordered a new election in Harris County’s November 2022 180th District Court judicial race that Republican candidate Tami Pierce lost by just 449 votes to Democratic Judge DaSean Jones.</p><p>Jones is expected to appeal the ruling, his attorney, Oliver Brown, said. </p><p>In the wake of the 2022 election, 21 Republican candidates for county offices filed lawsuits challenging the results. Though Judge David Peeples previously <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/harris-county-election-ruling-stands-18482004.php">upheld the results</a> in all of the other cases, he has ruled that the true outcome of the Pierce-Jones race could not be determined given its significantly narrower margin.</p><p>“The court has found that 1,430 illegal votes were cast in the race for the 180th District Court and that it is not realistic or feasible to determine which candidate received those votes,” Peeples wrote.</p><p>Harris County Republican Party Chair Cindy Siegel called the ruling “monumental” in a statement on Wednesday.</p><p>“Judge Peeples’s decision to order a new election confirms what the Harris County GOP has been saying since 2022: The previous election administrations’ handling of our elections was beyond negligent, resulting in voters’ confidence in our elections being damaged,” Siegel said.</p><p>But Mike Doyle, the Harris County Democratic Party chair, defended the results of the election.</p><p>“There’s no justification for redos and redos just because election deniers aren’t happy with the results of Harris County,” Doyle said.</p><p>[…]</p><p>In his ruling, Peeples noted that much of the evidence presented by Pierce’s team was the same as what he reviewed in the Lunceford case.</p><p>In Pierce’s case, Peeples ruled that 606 voters clearly lived outside of Harris County and another 146 voters likely shouldn’t have counted because their residences were located in nearby city and didn’t specify their county. He determined those 752 votes “were not lawful and should not be counted.”</p><p>Adding to the tally, Peeples found another 231 votes did not include sufficient address information to determine if they should be counted, 40 mail-in ballots lacked a required signature and eight ballots weren’t mailed on time. He also deemed six provisional ballots unlawful, along with 445 votes that did not meet requirements related to photo identification.</p><p>The judge’s calculations also include the assumption that not everyone who cast ballots in November would have voted in this judicial race.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112205">here</a> and <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114018">here</a> for some background. There’s a copy of the decision embedded in the story, give it a read. I’m going to try to keep this brief.</p><p>– As noted before, the actual closest election in 2022 was the one in which Democrat Porscha Brown lost to Republican Leslie Johnson for Harris County Criminal Court #3, by 267 votes. If the outcome in this race “can’t be determined”, then surely the same is true for that one. Is it too late for Porscha Brown to file suit?</p><p>– The 1,430 votes that Judge Peeples were ruled to be “illegal” were out of 1.1 million cast, or about 0.1% of the total. Most of them were deemed illegal because of paperwork errors, mostly but not entirely on the part of the voters, who didn’t correctly sign absentee ballots or fill out the form to explain why they didn’t have voter ID correctly, that sort of thing. We’d like elections to be run perfectly but elections are run by humans and humans can make mistakes (right, <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112713">Gillespie County</a>?) or judgment calls that a judge later disagrees with. I don’t know what to tell you, but if the standard is now that you not only have to win but also to cover the spread for it to count, we’re going to see a whole lot more <a href="https://www.votebeat.org/texas/2024/05/02/election-challenges-lawsuits-recounts-dasean-jones-tami-pierce/">elections that never seem to end</a>.</p><p>– As noted, about 600 votes were tossed because the voters didn’t live in Harris County. I’m sure some of those folks had legitimately moved and just didn’t get around to changing their registrations and voting in their new locations because they didn’t realize they had to or didn’t get around to the former and so just did what they had done before or whatever. I have no quarrel with tossing those, but I will note that not everyone who says they’re living someplace else now is doing so permanently. Lots of people moved to alternate locations during the pandemic, some people move to temporary locations for various reasons, and some people maintain more than one home. In Texas, you get to register and vote in the place where you “intend” to live, as the likes of <a href="https://wkcurrent.com/investigation-establishes-karl-rove-residency-in-ingram-p636-71.htm">Karl Rove</a> and <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=30033">State Sen. Brian Birdwell</a> and of course Dave “Warehouses R Us” Wilson can attest. A voter who says “I don’t live there anymore” or words to that effect when they show up to vote is supposed to fill out a Statement of Residence, which is supposed to clear that up. Judge Peeples determined that in those 606 instances, they established they didn’t really live in Harris County. He looked at those records and I didn’t, but I have to wonder how many of those people really understood what they were saying. We have extremely loose residency requirements when it comes to candidates for office and certain VIPs, but for regular voters? Apparently not so much.</p><p>– Be all that as it may, to erase a 449-vote deficit, the eliminated votes would have had to have been 940-490 in favor of DaSean Jones, which is 65.7% of them. The one thing not noted in the opinion is any indication of who these voters were, specifically anything about them that might suggest which candidate they supported in that race. This was a 50-50 race, you would think that if these voters were a representative sample of Harris County, they’d have been roughly 50-50 on Jones and Pierce. If there’s evidence to suggest that they were disproportionately Democratic, I didn’t see it in the opinion.</p><p>– And here’s the thing, if we’re not making and supporting a claim that these voters were definitely a sizeable majority for Jones, then we actually can say that there’s little to no doubt about the election’s outcome. If these voters were a coin flip, as the voters whose votes were allowed to count were, then the odds that at least 940 of them out of 1,430 total would have voted for DaSean Jones is essentially zero. Don’t take my word for it, go try this <a href="https://www.omnicalculator.com/statistics/coin-flip-probability">Coin Flip Probability Calculator</a> and see for yourself. It can’t quite handle it for 1,430 tosses – the formula involves exponentials and factorials, which means they get really really big really fast – but if you plug in 143 tosses and at least 94 heads, you get a probability of 0.01%, or one in ten thousand. If you double those figures to 286 tosses and at least 188 heads – same proportions, just a bigger sample – the odds fall to 0.00000563%, which is 5.63 out of 100,000,000, or one hundred million. It gets smaller from there, much smaller. </p><p>– Oh, and even if you knock down Jones’ lead from 449 to 128, which is what happens if you subtract the 321 vote net he got from the extra hour of voting that was later deemed to have been mistakenly ordered, you still need 54.47% of those 1,430 votes to have been Democratic (779 for Jones, 651. If we stick with the coin flip scenario, the odds of 545 heads out of 1000 tosses is 0.243%, which is less than three in one thousand. The calculator won’t let me try sample sizes bigger than 1000, so that’s as far as I can take it, but that already small number will keep going down. I don’t know how “clear and convincing” translates to legalese, but surely it needs greater odds than that.</p><p>– Somewhat weirdly to me, Judge Peeples adds the 321 net votes Jones gets from the inclusion of the extra hour of voting to the 1,430 votes he has deemed illegal to say that there was “a total of 1,751 votes that cast doubt” on the outcome. But that’s apples and oranges – that 321 figure comes from subtracting the known votes Jones and Pierce received during the disputed extra hour of voting. Peeples ruled that those votes counted, so they shouldn’t be included with the votes he didn’t count. If you want to consider the scenario in which those votes also don’t count, just subtract 321 from Jones’ margin, and leave the 1,430 figure alone. As noted above, even a 128 vote margin out of 1,430 isn’t quite the significant matter it may seem.</p><p>– Now, all this changes if the evidence shows that this was a heavily Democratic group of voters. The opinion doesn’t refer to any evidence of that, so I assume there isn’t any evidence to that effect. I find it really odd that this potential factor gets no mention at all. I don’t know what to say about that.</p><p>As noted, DaSean Jones is likely to appeal, so this may drag on for who knows how much longer. As a matter of law, I approve of that because this is a terrible precedent and I think there are some serious questions about the math Judge Peeples used. But there’s a part of me that wants to advise Jones to say “Fine, I’ll drop my appeals if we put this race on this November’s ballot in with the other judicial races.” I’d feel very confident about his chances of winning, whereas I expect that what Pierce and the Republicans want is a special election by itself on some random Saturday when people aren’t expecting there to be an election. (You know, like the HCAD elections.) What do you think would happen? The <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/15/harris-county-election-challenge-180th-district-court/">Trib</a> has more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114574</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Mayor’s committee on HPD dropped cases provides its report</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114562</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114562#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 09:53:53 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Crime and Punishment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Arturo Michel]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Christina Nowak]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ellen Cohen]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston Area Women's Center]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HPD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Whitmire]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Martha Montalvo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Office of Policing Reform and Accountability]]></category> <category><![CDATA[rape]]></category> <category><![CDATA[rape kits]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Rangers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Troy Finner]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114562</guid> <description><![CDATA[Up to Council and HPD to take action now. The independent panel reviewing the ongoing Houston Police Department scandal over suspended cases identified an interim police chief as the one who ordered the creation of the “SL” lack of personnel … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114562">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/whitmire-hpd-dropped-cases-panel-findings-failures-19459338.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Up to Council and HPD to take action now</a>.</p><blockquote><div style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/images/whitmire250.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="size-full" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Mayor John Whitmire</p></div><p>The <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/houston-police-dropped-cases-whitmire-committee-19309845.php">independent panel</a> reviewing the <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/houston-police-drop-cases-lack-personnel-know-18707851.php">ongoing Houston Police Department scandal</a> over suspended cases identified an interim police chief as the one who ordered the creation of the “SL” lack of personnel code and made a wide range of recommendations to avoid similar systemwide failures in the future. </p><p>The preliminary report, shared with City Council on Wednesday morning, said that Martha Montalvo, who served as the department’s acting chief for a few months in 2016, approved the implementation of the code throughout the department and added that the special victims division began using it immediately. In the first six months of 2016, the report says, the division suspended 550 cases involving sex offenses due to lack of personnel.</p><p>The report, ordered by Mayor John Whitmire, recommended the Houston Police Department should standardize reporting procedures and put departmentwide directives in writing to prevent another scandal from happening in the future.</p><p>It also provided revised numbers on how many total incident reports were suspended using the internal code — going from 264,000 to 268,920 — with around 9,167 from the special victims division, or sexual assault incident reports. </p><p>“I still find it so mind-boggling and unacceptable that for 10 years, no stakeholder, no active officers, no employees, no administration, no one brought this to our attention,” Whitmire said.</p><p>The report, which focused on the incident reports suspended in the special victims division, confirmed many of <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/houston-police-scandal-chief-reach-19444643.php">the Chronicle’s recent findings</a> — the code was borne out of discussions that started in 2014 about cases that were not being investigated because of a lack of personnel and proliferated in use in the years since because of inconsistent division policy, bad data reporting and no oversight from above on what was happening on a divisional level.</p><p>“We learned early on, due to lapses in technology, the divisions could become inundated and lead to the problems we see today,” said Christina Nowak, a committee member and the deputy inspector general of the Office of Policing Reform and Accountability for the City of Houston.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113792">here</a> for the background. I thank the Committee for their work, and I hope that proper followup action is taken as noted above. I also wonder if we’ll hear from former Chief Montalvo about that. I assume the committee talked to her – the report isn’t public yet so I can’t say for sure. It would be hilarious, and a little embarrassing, if she comes forward now to dispute that finding. Anyway, now it’s time to move forward. Whatever happened happened before Mayor Whitmire took office, but fixing it is now on him. I’m sure he’ll want to get that right. <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/panel-houston-police-need-new-case-management-systems-better-sexual-assault-training/">Houston Landing</a> and <a href="https://emilytakesnotes.wpcomstaging.com/2024/05/16/5-15-2024/">Emily Takes Notes</a> have more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114562</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Dispatches from Dallas, May 17 edition</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114579</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114579#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 09:45:29 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dallas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[guest post]]></category> <category><![CDATA[linkdump]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114579</guid> <description><![CDATA[This is a weekly feature produced by my friend Ginger. Let us know what you think. This week, in news from Dallas-Fort Worth, we have a grab bag: a big DMN expose on toll roads; education stories, including a chance … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114579">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is a weekly feature produced by my friend Ginger. Let us know what you think.</em></p><p>This week, in news from Dallas-Fort Worth, we have a grab bag: a big DMN expose on toll roads; education stories, including a chance to see an author whose book about Southlake schools has just been published; judicial appeals news; runoff news ahead of next week’s voting; Six Degrees of Clarence Thomas; how the DMN thinks Dallas should pay to fix its pension funds; Dallas PD news, including how we’re keeping our chief; the DMN looks for the culprits behind the pro-Palestinian protests; what Ms. Opal Lee has been up to; nude beaches in Texas; and baby birds! And more.</p><p>This week’s post was brought to you by the music of <a href="https://orbitalofficial.com">Orbital</a> whose tour this year is sadly coming nowhere near me.</p><p>Let’s dive into the news:</p><ul><li> The Dallas Morning News has <a href="https://interactives.dallasnews.com/2024/NTTA-tollway-authorities-harsh-toll-fees-Texas-drivers/">a big series exposing the problems with the NTTA and toll roads in Texas in general</a>. Specifically, there are too many of them, particularly in strategic locations with only long drives as alternates, that Texas is harsh on people who don’t pay even when the tolls are assigned in error, and what to do if (when) you get a Zipcash bill in error. The individual stories are pretty horrible but they’re worth a read anyway.</li><li> The Texas Tribune’s <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/15/texas-granbury-isd-school-board-courtney-gore/">story about Crystal Gore</a>, the Granbury ISD board member who got elected on an anti-woke agenda and then read the curriculum, was surprising to me only in that Gore actually believed what she was reading. Or maybe that she bothered to read in the first place. The fallout from her decision not to keep attacking all the DEI, sexualization, critical race theory, etc., that she didn’t find was 100% predictable.</li><li> Two judicial stories from Fort Worth: There was a <a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/supporters-rally-for-crystal-mason-after-da-appeals-ruling-to-overturn-illegal-voting-conviction/3538711/">a rally supporting Crystal Mason</a> Saturday after the Tarrant County DA appealed the ruling overturning her illegal voting conviction. And the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals <a href="https://www.keranews.org/criminal-justice/2024-05-15/aaron-dean-manslaughter-appeal-atatiana-jefferson">refused to review Aaron Dean’s conviction for manslaughter</a> in the killing of Atatiana Jefferson in 2019.</li><li> In not-quite-related news, Governor Abbott <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/16/daniel-perry-pardon-abbott-garrett-foster/">has just pardoned Daniel Perry, who killed Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in Austin</a> in 2020. I have some thoughts about this but the news literally came in as I was writing and my immediate reaction is not fit for print.</li><li> Interested in the latest and greatest about the Collin County runoff races? <a href="https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-05-16/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-collin-countys-primary-runoffs">KERA has you covered</a>. Most of these are Republican runoffs but the Dems have one for SD 30, Drew Springer’s now-open seat.</li><li> Related: The Fort Worth Report has a look at the <a href="https://fortworthreport.org/2024/05/16/paxton-impeachment-vote-remains-central-to-klick-lowe-election-rematch/">Republican runoff for HD 91</a>, which is all about Collin County’s own Ken Paxton.</li><li> DMN’s Watchdog <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2024/05/13/the-unexpected-texas-election-this-month-that-confused-almost-everybody">has a post-election writeup of the Dallas County Appraisal District elections</a> from earlier this month.</li><li> Chief Garcia <a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/05/city-of-dallas-reaches-three-year-agreement-with-police-chief-eddie-garcia/">has committed to stay in Dallas through May 2027</a>, hopefully putting an end to talk that Austin or Houston might try to lure him away.</li><li> Speaking of people who did get lured away, Mayor Johnson is looking for <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-mayor-says-tc-broadnax-shouldnt-get-severance-pay-19380224">a legal way to avoid paying off</a> former City Manager T.C. Broadnax. Honestly I think it should come out of the Mayor’s monies, like his campaign fund, since the Mayor is the one who ran Broadnax off, contrary to the Mayor’s assertion that they got along great and stories about the problems between them were made up by the local media.</li><li> State and local incentives for the <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/05/15/nra-annual-meeting-dallas">NRA’s annual meeting here in Dallas this weekend</a> total about $1 million, of which $138k is Dallas’ contribution. Our tax dollars at work!</li><li> Six Degrees of Clarence Thomas is back. The New Republic would like to know <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/181627/clarence-thomas-rv-loan-democrats-letter">whether Justice Thomas paid off the principal on the loan for that quarter-million-dollar RV</a> but the Justice won’t tell. If the principal on the loan was forgiven, it could be taxable income, which might make Thomas a tax cheat on top of everything else.</li><li> The Guardian has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/16/they-came-for-the-schools-book-review-mike-hixenbaugh">a review of Mike Hixenbaugh’s new book about the trouble in Southlake</a>. If you don’t know his name, you may be familiar with Hixenbaugh’s podcasts for NBC about Grapevine and Southlake. I’m going to be picking up the book and if I have time, I’m going to attend the local event for his book tour, dates for which are listed on <a href="https://www.mikehixenbaugh.com">Hixenbaugh’s website</a>. For the Texans, he’s at Bookpeople in Austin on Saturday, at Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston on Monday night, and in Grapevine at the Convention Center on Tuesday night.</li><li> Related: I have only had time to skim <a href="https://www.texasobserver.org/christian-schoolboards-education-k12/">this piece in the Texas Observer</a> about the “Remnant Alliance”, a bunch of pastors coming for your schools, but I’ve gotten enough from it already to commend it to your attention.</li><li> Also related: <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/05/14/southlake-families-urge-good-faith-negotiations-over-civil-rights-violations/">Southlake families want the district to negotiate with the feds</a> in good faith over civil rights violations. Good luck with that.</li><li> Also related to schools in Texas: a story on how <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/north-texas-schools-conflicting-title-ix-rules-biden-abbott-19340665">North Texas schools are dealing with conflicting Title IX mandates</a> from the feds and the state.</a><li> As Houstonians know, the battle to fix underfunded city pensions is eternal. This week our friends at the DMN have two editorials out on how Dallas should and should not do it. They should <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2024/05/12/will-dallas-real-estate-inventory-help-fix-the-police-and-fire-pension-crisis/">sell off land from the city’s real estate portfolio that’s not being used</a>. They should not <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2024/05/15/dart-is-not-a-piggy-bank-to-solve-dallas-pension-woes/">take money from DART</a>.</li><li> Bigotry in the news locally:<ul><li> The suburb of Rowlett has <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/rowlett-texas-killed-its-dei-commission-19340646">killed its DEI commission</a>.</li><li> It’s still against an unenforceable law <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/denton-mayor-frustrated-after-vote-integrate-cemetery-19363475">bury Black people in a city-owned cemetery in Denton</a> and one of the members of city council voted against changing that law. What made this story noteworthy to me was what the council member said about his vote.</li><li> The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth admitted a trans woman and then a number of its members resigned, and so did the trans woman. The <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article288483151.html">Star-Telegram</a> and the <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2024/05/15/after-fort-worth-womens-club-admitted-a-transgender-woman-resignations-followed/">DMN</a> have the ugly details.</li></ul><li> You may recall there have been two recent deaths in the Tarrant County jail. Relatives in one of the cases have been fighting to get video. In the other case, <a href="https://www.keranews.org/criminal-justice/2024-05-14/tarrant-county-inmate-died-of-fentanyl-trazodone-toxicity-in-custody-last-month">an autopsy determined the inmate died of fentanyl and trazodone poisoning</a>.</li><li> Are you confused by all the news about Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice over the last few weeks? The Dallas Observer <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/nfl-player-rashee-rice-legal-troubles-in-dallas-timeline-19370490">has a timeline of the allegations</a>, including some new-to-me items about trouble from Rice’s SMU days. As I’ve mentioned, what makes Rice’s story worth reporting on is that State Senator Royce West is Rice’s attorney.</li><li> On the immigration beat, the DMN’s finance commentator has a piece on <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/business/commentary/2024/05/08/amid-demographic-shifts-the-countrys-workforce-needs-immigrants/">why the American workforce needs immigrants</a>, which I present with no comment.</li><li> Dallas PD is joining a number of Texas jurisdictions in using <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-police-might-use-facial-recognition-from-controversial-company-19362511">controversial facial recognition software Clearview AI</a>. Axios <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/05/13/dallas-police-department-facial-recognition-software">has a simple breakdown</a> for you. If you’re not familiar with Clearview, the company scrapes social media for images, like your family photos or your Instagram account, which it uses to identify individuals for its clients.</li><li> The DMN digs into the question of <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/05/15/are-outside-agitators-behind-pro-palestinian-gaza-protests-at-texas-colleges/">who’s behind the pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in Dallas and statewide</a>. The answer seems to be mostly students, professors, recent grads, but not the vaunted outside agitators claimed by politicians and pundits. As someone who marched against apartheid and for women’s rights in college, I firmly believe the kids are plenty capable of deciding to march, camp, and otherwise protest on their own.</li><li> Today I learned that <a href="https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-05-16/north-texas-cities-top-census-list-of-growing-boom-towns">five of the top fifteen growing cities in the US are in north Texas</a> and that <a href="https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city-life/celina-texas-population-census-2023/">the top growing city was Celina</a>, one of the northernmost ring suburbs of Dallas</a>.</li><li> In good environmental news in Dallas, <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/05/16/dallas-love-field-carbon-neutral">Love Field is now carbon-neutral</a>.</li><li> In not-so-good environmental news in Dallas, <a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/emerald-ash-borer-dallas-great-trinity-forest/3539555/">the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle, has been found in our Great Trinity Forest</a>. I have a not-yet-year-old ash tree in my front yard, so this is particularly unhappy-making news for me.</li><li> Another thing I learned this week is that <a href="https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/how-medieval-times-became-the-largest-breeder-of-pure-spanish-horses-in-america/">Medieval Times breeds Andalusian horses here in Texas</a>. Now I want to go with my horsey friend to dinner at the restaurant in Dallas to watch the jousting.</li><li> I’m always pleased to report good news about Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth. This week, <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article288461077.html">SMU awarded her an honorary doctorate</a> and is about to make a <a href="https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/opal-lee-trip-japan-juneteenth/3540671/">ten-day trip to Japan</a> to tell her story and the story of the holiday. I hope I’m doing half as much if I make it to 97!</li><li> If you’re a nude beach person, here’s a story for you: <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article288478351.html">2 Texas nude beaches make top 12 U.S. list. Is strutting around in the buff even legal?</a>. The answer is yes, it is, and the two beaches in Texas are Hippie Hollow near Austin and UFO Beach on South Padre Island. No nude beaches in North Texas as far as I know!</li><li> The Amon Carter Museum <a href="https://fortworthreport.org/2024/05/14/amon-carter-museum-exhibition-explores-hollywoods-rise-to-cultural-juggernaut/">has an exhibit opening this weekend</a>: Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood. I’m not going for opening weekend but it’s definitely on my list.</li><li> Last but not least, I have baby bird news: the bald eagles at White Rock Lake have two eaglets! <a href="https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city-life/bald-eagles-white-rock-lake/"">CultureMap</a> and <a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/05/dallas-has-two-new-very-bald-eagle-residents/">D Magazine</a> have the details.</li><p>/</p><ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114579</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>More on the improper use of funds allegations against Mike Miles</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114552</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114552#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 10:01:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[School days]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ana Hernandez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <category><![CDATA[charter schools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Christina Morales]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Colorado]]></category> <category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gene Wu]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HFT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HISD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jackie Anderson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jarvis Johnson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Miles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Morath]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Molly Cook]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Education System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Paul Colbert]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Penny Shaw]]></category> <category><![CDATA[schools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Education Agency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Lege]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Third Future Schools]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114552</guid> <description><![CDATA[Other outlets are on this now. A state lawmaker and Houston teachers are calling for Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles to be investigated after a Spectrum News report revealed that millions in Texas public school tax dollars may … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114552">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/14/hisd-mike-miles-tea-investigation/">Other outlets are on this now</a>.</p><blockquote><p><img decoding="async" src="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GoAwayMiles.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="138" class="alignright size-full wp-image-114532" /></p><p>A state lawmaker and Houston teachers are calling for Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles to be investigated after a <a href="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2024/05/14/disappearing-dollars--texas-public-schools-missing-millions">Spectrum News report</a> revealed that millions in Texas public school tax dollars may have been funneled to a failing school in his Colorado charter school system.</p><p>These findings come less than two weeks after the state-appointed administrator announced a $450 million gap in funding at HISD — resulting in districtwide layoffs for the upcoming school year.</p><p>A Texas Education Agency spokesperson said agency officials are “aware of the report and are reviewing the matter.”</p><p>Miles did not respond to a request from The Texas Tribune for comment on Tuesday.</p><p>[…]</p><p>In a <a href="https://twitter.com/AnaHdzTx/status/1790484570825011328">letter</a> addressed to Morath, State Rep. Ana Hernandez, D-Houston, urged the state agency to conduct an investigation to clarify whether Texas public school tax dollars had been sent out of state.</p><p>“These alleged actions cast doubt on his ability to lead HISD and his commitment to providing the best education for our students,” Hernandez told The Tribune. “Texans deserve transparency, accountability, and responsiveness.”</p><p>Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, accused Miles of using the tax dollars as his own “personal piggy bank,” echoing Hernandez’s request for an immediate investigation.</p><p>“The corruption of this deal stretches beyond just Mike Miles – the board of managers is also complicit in this shadowy scheme by failing to provide oversight and transparency,” she said. “Greg Abbott’s takeover of our schools has failed. Teachers, students and their families deserve better and in response we are demanding the immediate resignation of Mike Miles and the immediate exit of the TEA from HISD.”</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114544">here</a> for the background. I skipped the rehash of the basic story, so go to my earlier post or the <a href="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2024/05/14/disappearing-dollars--texas-public-schools-missing-millions">Spectrum News report</a> and bring yourself up to speed if you need to. </p><p>The <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/houston-isd-mike-miles-charter-school-funds-19457863.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron</a> did get a response from Miles, and also did a Q&A summary/breakdown of the Spectrum piece.</p><blockquote><p>Miles told the Chronicle Tuesday that while he hadn’t served as CEO of Third Future Schools in more than a year, the board and superintendent were conscious to ensure that Texas dollars stayed in Texas and Colorado dollars stayed in Colorado while he was leading the organization.</p><p>“Third Future Schools have been very careful, and they’ve always passed their audits easily,” Miles said Tuesday. “They do audits in Texas. They do audits in Colorado. … so they’re a good organization. They’re very careful about not commingling funds. They follow the law very carefully, and anything else is just to be dismissed out of hand.”</p><p>Here’s what you need to know about the charter school network’s financial practices:</p><p>[…]</p><p><strong>Did either of the Third Future Schools’s other two campuses in Colorado report receiving any funds from Texas?</strong></p><p>The Academy of Advanced Learning, one of Third Future Schools’ two campuses in Colorado, reported that it provided “professional services” for about $2.6 million to the Third Future Schools Texas network, and that Third Future Schools Texas owed then $2 million as of June 2022, according to <a href="https://thirdfuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2022-AAL-Audit-Reissued-10_25.pdf">the 2022 audit</a>. </p><p><a href="https://thirdfuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023_Academy_of_Advanced_Learning_Financial_Statements_FINAL.pdf">The school’s audit</a> in the following year reported that Third Future Schools Texas owed them $2.4 million for “professional services” provided during the 2023 fiscal year. Coperni 3 also reported that Third Future Schools Texas owed them $78,000 for “professional services” and $1,145 for payments made on their behalf during the 2022 year, according <a href="https://thirdfuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2022-Coperni-3-Audit-FY-22-Final.pdf">to its audit</a>. </p><p>Both campuses did not directly report receiving any funds from Third Future Schools Texas in audits before the 2022 fiscal year.</p><p>[…]</p><p><strong>Is it illegal or uncommon for charter schools to pay fees to larger charter organizations or to pay outside entities for services?</strong></p><p><a href="https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.45.htm">Chapter 45 of the Texas Education Code</a> states that public schools, including charter schools, can use state funds that are “not designated for a specific purpose” for any other purposes “necessary in the conduct of the public schools determined by the board of trustees.” </p><p>Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist at the University of Houston Education Research Center, said this language gives school boards broad flexibility to approve spending funds on nearly anything they determine is necessary for the benefit of the students, including purchasing services from other institutions and paying management or network fees.</p><p>“It’s not uncommon for (state) funds to go out of state,” said Templeton, the former director of data services for the Texas Charter Schools Association “I can understand how in the context of this particular conversation, people can be concerned, but no, it’s not an uncommon occurrence.”</p><p>Templeton said the local public school boards in Texas are responsible for approving contracts with organizations like Third Future Schools under what’s known as “1882 partnerships,” that designate how and where state funds can flow, which is then submitted to the TEA.</p><p>The TEA said in a statement Tuesday that it was aware of Spectrum’s report and was reviewing the matter.</p></blockquote><p>So we have what Ms. Templeton says here, and we have what former State Rep. Paul Colbert said in the Spectrum News report, which is that it was “[his] understanding is that it is not legal in Texas for money from a school district in Texas to educate students in other districts in the state let alone in other states”. That’s less specific than what Ms. Templeton says, enough so that I can’t say his statement is in contradiction to hers. We also have a slightly different statement from Ms. Templeton as reported by <a href="https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2024/05/14/487486/report-about-charter-schools-founded-by-houston-isd-superintendent-mike-miles-prompts-calls-for-investigation/">Houston Public Media</a>:</p><blockquote><p>Third Future Schools operated in Odessa through a partnership with Ector County ISD, as permitted by Senate Bill 1882, which was adopted by the Texas Legislature in 2017. So a Texas school sending money to an out-of-state partner is not necessarily illegal, according to Toni Templeton, a senior research scientist for the Education Research Center at the University of Houston.</p><p>“I am not an attorney and I have not seen the specific transactions in question,” Templeton wrote in an email. “However, I have studied school finance for some time and to my knowledge, there are perfectly legal reasons a Texas ISD could send money to an 1882 partner out of state.”</p></blockquote><p>That’s a more qualified statement, one that leaves room for “but in THIS case, THESE transactions are no bueno” or some such. We just don’t know enough yet. </p><p>On Wednesday morning, Miles provided a <a href="https://www.khou.com/article/news/education/report-hisd-superintendent-mike-miles-texas-tax-dollars-colorado/285-d44ac0d1-84a6-402d-ae96-3e550cdb66d9">fuller response</a>.</p><blockquote><p>In a response to the report, Miles said it is either “badly misunderstanding,” or “intentionally misrepresents” Third Future Schools’ finances.</p><p>“I have an obligation to make very clear that during my tenure Third Future Schools was always a responsible steward of every public dollar received, all financial agreements and obligations were approved by local boards of directors, authorizers, and in our Texas schools, the school district with which TFS partnered,” Miles said, in part.</p><p>He said the schools paid administrative fees to the Third Futures Schools’ central office, which is located in Colorado.</p><p>“This is common practice for charters and other independent partnership schools and is not only allowed, but anticipated by Texas’ educational law,” Miles said.</p><p>Read Miles’ full response below:</p><p>“Friends, Partners, and Board Members:</p><p>“I had initially planned not to respond to an article circulating that badly misunderstands, or worse, intentionally misrepresents the financial practices of Third Future Schools. While I have not worked at the Third Future Schools network for more than a year, I find the piece irresponsibly inaccurate, and I cannot let this kind of misinformation go uncorrected.</p><p>“I have an obligation to make very clear that during my tenure Third Future Schools was always a responsible steward of every public dollar received, all financial agreements and obligations were approved by local boards of directors, authorizers, and in our Texas schools, the school district with which TFS partnered. Eight different districts in three states have trusted Third Future Schools with the education of their most underserved students and have overseen TFS’s overall financial health and propriety. Third Future Schools has a consistent track record of clean audits year over year, and I have no reason to believe that is any different now. These baseless claims cheapen the hard work and dedication of thousands of staff and students.</p><p>“The budgets of all Third Future Schools in Texas are attached to the management agreement with the local school district and are part of the approval process. Administrative fees are applied to all schools in all states in order for the central office to oversee and monitor the schools as well as provide network-wide supports (such as finance and human resources) from people and departments in the central office, which is located in Colorado. This is common practice for charters and other independent partnership schools and is not only allowed, but anticipated by Texas’ education law. Spectrum News either intentionally or, through gross incompetence, mischaracterized these common place financial arrangements between charter schools and the charter management organizations that support them.</p><p>“The Spectrum News reporter also worked to undermine the progress we made in Dallas ISD. It appears he is resurrecting old tactics that are not worth more time and attention. I do not intend to comment further on these spurious assertions. I am committed to staying focused on the tremendous challenge of improving Texas’ largest district.</p><p>“We have an obligation to finish the year strong for our students and staff, and that is where I will direct my time and attention. I thank you for your partnership and ask that you do the same as we look ahead to the 24-25 school year and beyond. We’ve accomplished a great deal and there is even more left to do.”</p></blockquote><p>And the <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-mike-miles-responds-charter-financials-19459514.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron</a> gets some more statements.</p><blockquote><p>Third Future Schools, in a statement Wednesday, said that “no Texas funds have ever been diverted to subsidize schools in Colorado,” and that administrative fees applied to all of the network’s 11 schools in Texas, Colorado and Louisiana are paid to a central office in Colorado, and then deposited back into a bank account in the school’s home state. </p><p>On Wednesday afternoon, Morath said that he had referred the complaint to the agency’s complaints team, which is a preliminary step toward a potential investigation.</p><p>He noted, however, that because Third Future operates as a non-profit that signs contracts with local school districts, rather than a charter that receives state funds, the review would focus on Midland, Ector County, and Austin ISDs, the districts where Third Future schools allegedly sent funds to Colorado. </p><p>“School districts have autonomy to engage with vendors to provide educational services,” Morath wrote. “As a vendor of the school district, Third Future Schools would have latitude afforded under its contract with each district to spend its funds in service of the contract.”</p><p>Miles said Wednesday that he would welcome a TEA investigation into the matter.</p></blockquote><p>And some <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/state-representatives-react-resignations-hisd-19459522.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">reactions</a>.</p><blockquote><p>State Rep. Jarvis Johnson <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=843158370968114&set=pcb.843158384301446">wrote to Miles on May 10 to demand his immediate removal</a> after “widespread surprise firings of decorated and high-performing educators.” Johnson called for Miles to submit his resignation and immediately reinstate all terminated principals and teachers.</p><p>Molly Cook, who is scheduled for a <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/houston-whitmire-senate-seat-19437490.php">Democratic primary runoff against Johnson on May 28</a> for Mayor John Whitmire’s former Senate seat, also called for Miles’ immediate resignation and “the immediate exit of the TEA (Texas Education Agency) from HISD” on Facebook. She also called for a third-party investigation alongside the union Houston Federation of Teachers after Spectrum News reported that Miles’ former charter network, Third Future Schools, <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/houston-isd-mike-miles-charter-school-funds-19457863.php">illegally used money from its Texas campuses</a> to subsidize its Colorado schools.</p><p>“Witnessing this level of incompetence and weaponization of power you are displaying is truly all my greatest fears about the takeover coming to fruition,” Johnson wrote to Miles.</p><p>State Rep. Christina Morales, <a href="https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/fyiwebdocs/PDF/house/dist145/m1.pdf">whose district stretches from the northwest to the southeast across Houston</a>, and State Rep. Penny Morales Shaw focused on the potential impact of the shakeup on bilingual and special education.</p><p>Noting she has repeatedly requested data on HISD, Morales <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=861842392420698&set=a.302765771661699">wrote to the Texas Education Agency Tuesday</a> requesting the number of students and teachers in special education and emergent bilingual programs for the past five years.</p><p>“My office has fielded many calls and complaints from parents who feel their children are not being treated appropriately or provided the services to which they are legally entitled.”</p><p>On Saturday, State Rep. Penny Morales Shaw said the job loss and resignations were “unconscionable” while acknowledging that Texas has at-will employment. </p><p>“HISD has a legal obligation to provide certain services to students with special needs or emerging bilingual students, and they are just blatantly violating those laws and those rights that people have,” Morales Shaw said. “So we are crossing over from things that are just immoral and unconscionable to things that are now illegal and that are against— it violates state law. And we’re going to look into that.”</p><p>Calling the takeover a “Republican War on Public Education,” Rep. Gene Wu called for a reevaluation of the layoffs and a plan so that no HISD employee loses their pension or job unnecessarily in a Monday press release.</p><p>“It’s unconscionable that we find our school districts in such dire financial straits when solutions like adequately increasing the per-student funding and providing meaningful raises to our teachers are within reach,” Wu said in the Monday statement.</p></blockquote><p>Good to see some people place a decent portion of the blame for HISD’s financial situation on Greg Abbott, which is something Mike Miles has never done. I’m not even sure he realizes that he could have bought a modicum of good will from the people now calling for his head if he had done that.</p><p>I don’t know yet what to make of everything we’ve seen so far. I’m not taking Mike Miles’ word for anything, but I’m also not sure this isn’t a situation where the real problem is what is allowed. I have no expertise in this, I’m just trying to evaluate what’s in front of me. There’s also the whole lack-of-transparency thing from Miles, coupled with the lack of any oversight on him, and that’s without taking the issues with special education (also one of the things Miles was tasked with fixing) and bilingual education into account. I’m going to say again what I said yesterday, which is that I would like to see more reporting on the question of what happened with this money, and what is and is not allowed. If there’s anything even a little bit shady to be found, then Miles’ ass should be out the door ASAP. I mean, I want him out for other reasons, but as far as this one goes I don’t know enough yet to say that it qualifies. Let’s find out more and see where it takes us.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114552</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Is this an opportunity for cooperative cost savings?</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114528</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114528#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 09:55:44 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Crime and Punishment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local politics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bond referendum]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bonds]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <category><![CDATA[construction]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Election 2022]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County Sheriff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HPD]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114528</guid> <description><![CDATA[Reading through this story about how Harris County is spending the public safety portion of its 2022 bond funds, I have a question. New Harris County law enforcement facilities are one step closer to breaking ground after Commissioners Court earlier … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114528">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Reading through <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/harris-county-public-safety-bond-projects-19438307.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">this story</a> about how Harris County is spending the public safety portion of its 2022 bond funds, I have a question.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harris-county/"><img decoding="async" src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D560BAQHdgu-Jgfr10Q/company-logo_200_200/0/1710364498006/harris_county_logo?e=1723680000&v=beta&t=CSTKVe4T5YDnWiUtmGgM1uQgvodv8DB6k7QoK_TbZ1M" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>New Harris County law enforcement facilities are <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/harris-county-bond-allocation-18450205.php">one step closer</a> to breaking ground after Commissioners Court earlier this week moved forward with a list of projects, including cutting-edge spaces for officers to train for high-water rescues and active shooter incidents.</p><p>The slate of projects is funded by a <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/Harris-County-voters-to-decide-1-2B-bond-17383229.php">$1.2 billion bond package</a> voters approved in November 2022 that earmarked $900 million for roads, $200 million for parks and $100 million for public safety. Now the county has completed a plan to spend the public safety dollars on projects that are expected to improve training for law enforcement agencies not only in Harris County but also around the region. </p><p>[…]</p><p>A $15.2 million precision driving course in the works as well. Though the Houston Police Department has trained on a driving course for decades, Harris County law enforcement agencies do not have a track to practice high-speed pursuits.</p><p>The facility where the county processes all vehicles used in crimes is slated for much-needed upgrades. </p><p>“It looks like a gas station out of the 1960s,” Lee said of the existing space.</p><p>The Sheriff’s Office firearms complex is getting a $3.2 million renovation. Though numerous law enforcement agencies rely on the facility for firearms training, the county never actually finished building it in the first place, Lee said, so the additional funding will allow completion of the project.</p></blockquote><p>There are other items, including an active shooter training facility and a swift water training facility, both of which likely will be used to train officers from other agencies. I highlighted this one because of the mention that HPD already has its own precision driving course. Do both agencies need their own course? Maybe they do – they both have a lot of officers, who drive a lot of cars, and who presumably need a lot of this kind of training. But maybe they don’t? Maybe this is the sort of thing where the two can be combined and save some money? I hope someone is thinking about it. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114528</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Of course there’s a court case that could upend IVF in Texas</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114534</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114534#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 09:50:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Legal matters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[2nd Court of Appeals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[abortion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alabama]]></category> <category><![CDATA[American Society for Reproductive Medicine]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Caroline Antoun]]></category> <category><![CDATA[divorce]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gaby Antoun]]></category> <category><![CDATA[IVF]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Randy Roman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SCOTUS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Supreme Court]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Right to Life]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Lege]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114534</guid> <description><![CDATA[Whether it gets to the Supreme Court or not is the key. The Texas Supreme Court is considering whether to take up a case that could have Alabama-esque impacts on in vitro fertilization in Texas. What began as a Denton … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114534">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/13/texas-supreme-court-frozen-embryos-ivf/">Whether it gets to the Supreme Court or not is the key</a>.</p><blockquote><p>The Texas Supreme Court is considering whether to take up a case that could have Alabama-esque impacts on in vitro fertilization in Texas.</p><p>What began as a Denton divorce has grown into a larger battle over whether a frozen embryo can be defined as a person. The court has not yet said whether it will take up the case, which centers on three frozen embryos created by Caroline and Gaby Antoun.</p><p>Before beginning IVF, the couple signed an agreement saying Gaby Antoun, the husband, would get any remaining frozen embryos in case of a divorce. A trial court and appeals court have upheld the contract, citing long-standing legal precedent that embryos are quasi-property that can be governed by a contract.</p><p>But Caroline Antoun, the wife, argues that Texas’ new abortion laws require frozen embryos to be treated as people and handled through the child custody process instead.</p><p>“Now that Roe is no longer law, the Court has the opportunity to reclassify embryos as unborn children rather than property, and to, after far too long, recognize and protect the rights of those unborn children and their parents,” her lawyers, who declined to comment for this story, wrote in their petition for review to the Texas Supreme Court.</p><p>Patrick Wright, the attorney representing the husband, said this case isn’t about abortion.</p><p>“It’s a case where two people got together and were planning for their family, and they entered into an agreement,” Wright said. “This is a family issue and if — and it’s a big if — the courts are getting involved, they’d be doing essentially the thing that has been complained about for years, which is adding something that’s not there.”</p><p>Earlier this year, the Alabama Supreme Court <a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-supreme-court-from-embryos-161390f0758b04a7638e2ddea20df7ca">ruled</a> that frozen embryos qualify as people under the state’s wrongful death statute, leading fertility clinics to halt their work until the legislature stepped in and granted temporary protections.<br />While the details are different, legal experts and fertility doctors say the results of this Texas case could be similar.</p><p>“Recognizing ‘personhood’ status for a frozen embryo, as requested by Petitioner, would upend IVF in Texas,” the American Society for Reproductive Medicine wrote in an amicus brief. It would “inject untenable uncertainty into whether and on what terms IVF clinics can continue to operate in Texas.”</p><p>[…]</p><p>This issue came before the Texas courts in 2006, when a man named Randy Roman wanted the courts to uphold a signed agreement saying the embryos would be destroyed in case of divorce; his ex-wife wanted to use the embryos to have a child.</p><p>A <a href="https://casetext.com/case/roman-v-roman-7">Texas appeals court noted</a> the “emerging majority view that written embryo agreements … are valid and enforceable,” and found that honoring these contracts “best serves the existing public policy of this State and the interests of the parties.”</p><p>In siding with Randy Roman, the judges invited lawmakers to clarify this issue if they saw fit; in the nearly two decades since, the Legislature has not taken it up. The Texas Supreme Court declined to review Roman v. Roman, so years later, when the Antouns went to the Denton County courthouse, this was the most recent state court precedent.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Caroline Antoun’s lawyers argue that Roman v. Roman was invalidated by the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and the embryos should no longer be treated as property. They cite <a href="https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/html/HB01280I.htm">the new abortion law</a>, which defines an “unborn child” as “an individual living member of the homo sapiens species from fertilization until birth, including the entire embryonic and fetal stages of development.”</p><p>“Because fertilization has occurred, the embryos are unborn children and thus people as Texas defines them,” her lawyers wrote in a brief. “They are unborn children and should be treated as having all the rights and constitutional protections of children.”</p><p>Her lawyers also argued that treating frozen embryos as property was a return to the days of slavery, before “the ownership of persons became an issue relegated to history.”</p><p>“That is, until the Texas Legislature accidentally revived the conception of owning people by legislatively defining life to begin at a time antecedent to pregnancy and gestation via IVF,” they wrote, later saying, “To treat a class of persons, here embryos, as lesser humans by virtue of an immutable trait, is to repeat the mistakes of our forefathers.”</p><p>Gaby Antoun’s lawyers argue that the Dobbs decision did not change anything about the legal status of frozen embryos, nor the contracts that have historically governed them.</p><p>“If they say that you can’t sign these agreements, then we have a problem,” Wright said. “Because now you’re saying that people can’t validly contract to create their families, in their own way, with their own choices, and now the state is imposing on decisions that families are making.”</p><p>The 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth <a href="https://search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia.aspx?MediaVersionID=f9fb1b9f-0250-449a-ad56-4d8e6cfe657b&coa=coa02&DT=Opinion&MediaID=8752b3d2-8d53-45c7-9305-cb9c994ba971">agreed</a>, ruling that Caroline Antoun’s arguments were “a classic example of taking a definition out of its legislatively created context and using it in a context that the legislature did not intend.”</p><p>“Dobbs held that the United States Constitution does not guarantee a right to an abortion,” the judges wrote. “Dobbs did not determine the rights of cryogenically stored embryos outside the human body before uterine implantation. Dobbs is not law ‘applicable’ to this case, and thus its pronouncement did not justify a new trial.”</p><p>Caroline Antoun then appealed to the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court. The court asked each side to brief the case, but has not yet said whether it will take the issue up.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106196">here</a>, <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113564">here</a>, and <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113600">here</a> for a bit of background. Gotta say, having the female litigant being the threat to the future of IVF while the male litigant is fighting to keep it as is was a plot twist I didn’t see coming. All that SCOTx has to do is decline to take up the appeal, at which point the existing precedent remains controlling. They could take up the appeal and uphold the existing precedent, perhaps with some modifications, but I’d rather they take the simpler route. For what it’s worth, while SCOTx is indeed all Republican, so I believe is the Second Court of Appeals. For sure, Google confirms for me that the three judges who ruled in the Antoun case are all Republicans. So maybe, just maybe, this isn’t so dire.</p><p>On the other hand:</p><blockquote><p>Texas Right to Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion group, called for the court to rule that frozen embryos are people and, in case of divorce, should be given all the same rights as living children. They rejected the idea that this would lead to a shutdown of IVF in Texas.</p><p>“Because this case would only set precedent for custody disputes of frozen unborn children in divorce cases, a decision abrogating Roman would have a much smaller impact than the Alabama case,” they wrote in an amicus brief.</p></blockquote><p>Whatever may or may not happen with the Supreme Court, this is hardly the last we will hear of this issue. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114534</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Texas blog roundup for the week of May 13</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114478</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114478#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 09:45:41 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[blog roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[TPA]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114478</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Texas Progressive Alliance is still marveling at Stormy Daniels’ testimony in the Trump trial as it brings you this week’s roundup. Off the Kuff looks at the Q1 2024 finance reports for Democratic Senate and Congressional candidates. SocraticGadfly notes … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114478">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Texas Progressive Alliance is still marveling at Stormy Daniels’ testimony in the Trump trial as it brings you this week’s roundup.</p><p><span id="more-114478"></span></p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/">Off the Kuff</a> looks at the <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114411">Q1 2024 finance reports</a> for Democratic Senate and Congressional candidates.</p><p><a href="https://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com">SocraticGadfly</a> notes how, 20 years of statewide control on, Republican candidates <a href="https://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2024/05/twenty-plus-years-on-texas-rethugs.html">still blame Democrats</a> for issues like K-12 education.</p><p>Neil at the <a href="https://www.neilaquino.com">Houston Democracy Project</a> says Democratic primary runoff candidate Annette Ramirez <a href="https://www.neilaquino.com/houston-democracy-project-blog/tax-assessor-candidate-ramirez-says-will-actively-support-24-dem-slate-hold-her-to-it">pledged to help the HCAD slate and the full Democratic slate</a> if she is the Democratic nominee for Tax Assessor. Let’s hold her to her commitment.</p><p>===========================</p><p>And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.</p><p><a href="https://www.lawdork.com/p/scotus-louisiana-voting-redistricting-request">Law Dork</a> looks at the next Voting Rights Act lawsuit coming to SCOTUS.</p><p>The <a href="https://tsta.org/grading-texas/uncategorized/teacher-appreciation-means-more-than-free-donuts-and-hollow-plaudits-from-politicians">TSTA Blog</a> looks for the real meaning of Teacher Appreciation Week.</p><p><a href="https://texas2036.org/posts/making-texas-the-best-place-to-raise-a-family/">Texas 2036</a> runs some data on raising a family in Texas.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sxsw/2024-05-08/south-by-southwest-is-headed-to-london/">Austin Chronicle</a> reports on SxSW’s expansion to London.</p><p><a href="https://www.reformaustin.org/education/pastors-take-on-voucher-vultures-in-pub-ed-fight/">Reform Austin</a> convers Pastors For Children, a coalition of pastors from nine states dedicated to fighting against efforts to privatize education across the United States.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.houstonpress.com/news/two-montgomery-county-moms-emboldening-public-library-book-restrictions-18035829">Houston Press</a> highlights two book-banning moms in Montgomery County.</p><p><a href="https://danieljcohen.substack.com/p/houston-democrat-voting-guide-may-28">Daniel Cohen</a> provides his endorsements for the Democratic Primary runoffs in Harris County.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114478</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>A “WTF, HISD?” roundup</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114544</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114544#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2024 10:01:39 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[School days]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Board of Managers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <category><![CDATA[charter schools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Colorado]]></category> <category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Greg Abbott]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HISD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Miles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Morath]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Education System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Paul Colbert]]></category> <category><![CDATA[school finance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[school libraries]]></category> <category><![CDATA[schools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Education Agency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Lege]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Third Future Schools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vouchers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114544</guid> <description><![CDATA[Expect more protests later this week. Houston ISD families plan to protest Saturday morning near City Hall as word of forced principal and teacher departures rip through campuses as the end of the first year since state takeover approaches. Community … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114544">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-parents-protest-resignations-job-cuts-19457154.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Expect more protests</a> later this week.</p><blockquote><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GoAwayMiles.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="138" class="alignright size-full wp-image-114532" /></p><p>Houston ISD families <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-parents-protest-job-cuts-principals-teachers-19452840.php">plan to protest</a> Saturday morning near City Hall as word of forced principal and teacher departures rip through campuses as the end of the first year since state takeover approaches.</p><p>Community members are being asked to meet at 10 a.m. Saturday on the sidewalk in front of City Hall, 901 Bagby St. Parents are also organizing to speak at Thursday’s <a href="https://houstonisd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx">Board of Managers meeting</a> and plan to protest at 7 p.m. Friday outside of the district’s Educators of the Year Banquet at the Hilton Americas Hotel, 1600 Lamar St.</p><p>The protests come on the heels of an undisclosed number of teachers and principals being asked to resign due to the district’s view of their performance.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Briargrove Elementary School parents, who have said some of their teachers were told to resign, are organizing City Hall’s Saturday protest. It’s unknown how many teachers are being asked to leave due to the district’s view of their performance.</p><p>Crockett parents are organizing Friday’s protest outside the banquet. The school is slated to become a NES, or New Education System, school. Part of that model <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-new-education-system-expansion-18563996.php">removes librarians and converts the libraries</a> into what the district calls “<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/tea-mike-morath-hisd-discipline-centers-18338286.php">Team Centers</a>.” Crockett will be losing its library as its librarian is up to win Librarian of the Year on Friday, Crockett parent Liz Silva said.</p><p>“Librarians do way more than check out books,” Silva said. “They offer just so much guidance in that area for kids, and we would really hate to lose that space.”</p></blockquote><p>Of course the “Librarian of the Year” will be getting booted. If HISD gave “Nurse of the Year” and “Custodian of the Year” awards, I’m sure those folks would be getting fired, too. Anyone want to bet that the prize being given to the Educator of the Year winners at that banquet on Friday will be a pink slip?</p><p>In re: the announced budget cuts for HISD, the <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/find-something-else-to-cut-hisd-parents-local-leaders-knock-plan-to-slash-wraparound-jobs/">Houston Landing</a> had a story about wraparound specialists:</p><blockquote><p>Over the years, Detra Harris has received helpful resources from her grandchildren’s Houston ISD schools: coats, hygiene kits, bus passes and even dry clothing when her grandson got wet on his walk to class.</p><p>The extra support came from HISD “wraparound specialists,” employees who work in schools to aid students struggling with non-academic issues, such as hunger and homelessness.</p><p>The on-campus specialists have helped students access clothing, food, and mental health services since the program was created roughly five years ago. But now, some families and community organizations are skeptical of how students’ most urgent needs will be met under HISD’s plan to <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/houston-isd-to-cut-more-than-100-staff-who-serve-students-experiencing-homelessness-hunger/">eliminate more than 100 specialists</a>, the result of steep budget cuts.</p><p>The reductions will mean significantly fewer employees on campuses tending to students’ needs, which are often vast in a district where about 80 percent of children are considered economically disadvantaged by the state. Many of the wraparound specialist duties will fall back on teachers and other campus employees, who already have other responsibilities.</p><p>“You wouldn’t have anybody there that can say, ‘This child or this family might be struggling,’” said Harris, whose grandchildren attend Garden Oaks Montessori and Waltrip High School. </p><p>HISD officials have declined to specify how many of the district’s roughly 280 wraparound specialists will be cut, though multiple sources told the Houston Landing that about 170 people attended a virtual meeting last week in which a district administrator told affected employees about the changes.</p><p>[…]</p><p>It isn’t immediately clear how much money HISD will save under its plan for addressing students’ non-academic needs. The district likely would save roughly $10 million in salaries and benefits from cutting 170 wraparound specialists.</p></blockquote><p>Not a lot of savings from this, and one wonders what the real cost will be. One assumes that children who are hungry or cold or otherwise under the kind of stress that people in poverty experience don’t do as well in school as they might if their needs were being met. One assumes these same children will have a harder time of it without those specialists in place. How this aligns with the overall goal of improving HISD’s performance is a mystery only Mike Miles can understand.</p><p>HISD’s current financial situation is of course partially due to the Legislature not appropriating more money to schools, which they tried to do but had their bills vetoed by Greg Abbott because all he cared about was his voucher scheme. Now that school districts all over the state are making similar cuts to their budgets, Abbott is out there bravely saying <a href="https://www.tpr.org/news/2024-05-14/texas-public-schools-face-a-budget-crisis-under-gov-greg-abbott-teachers-and-lawmakers-say">“Don’t blame me!”</a></p><blockquote><p>Texas public schools are struggling with layoffs, closures, and cuts to student services caused by severe underfunding, according to a report released this week by the Texas American Federation of Teachers.</p><p>The report cited data showing Texas ranked <a href="https://www.texasaft.org/uncategorized/texas-earns-a-d-grade-in-new-public-schools-report-barely-escaping-failurevvvvvvvv">41st in the nation for per-pupil education funding</a>, and said more than 91% of kids in Texas public schools attended schools that were inadequately funded.</p><p>During a Monday conference call with reporters, Texas AFT President Zeph Capo said it was disheartening that calls to increase state funding weren’t gaining traction with Gov. Greg Abbott, who wants to create a school voucher program in Texas.</p><p>“That is Governor Abbott’s handiwork,” Capo said. “It’s the failed policy of the legislature that’s left our schools without funding or without a funding increase since 2019.”</p><p>The report came out the same day 39 Democrats in the state House of Representatives called on Abbott to hold a special legislative session for increased public education spending.</p><p>In a letter posted Monday by Texas Rep. Jon Rosenthal, D-Houston, the lawmakers pointed to $5 billion appropriated and unspent for public education, and said it was necessary to stave off a “school budget crisis.”</p><p>“Texas public schools are facing serious budget challenges from inflation, historic underfunding, and unfunded mandates that will drive drastic budget cuts in ISDs across the state,” they said in the letter. “These issues arise from the state’s failure to improve school funding since 2019.”</p><p>Abbott responded later on Monday, criticizing the lawmakers for voting against his <a href="https://www.keranews.org/government/2023-12-04/after-school-voucher-bill-falls-apart-supporters-and-opponents-get-ready-for-future-fights">failed school voucher plan</a> that tied public school funding to education savings accounts.</p><p>“As you surely recall, I worked with Representative Brad Buckley during Special Sessions #3 and #4 last year to design a school choice and public school funding package that would have achieved exactly what you seek,” <a href="https://x.com/bradj_TX/status/1790127876836090196">Abbott said in his response</a>.</p></blockquote><p>You know what I say the answer to all this is, so let’s move on.</p><p><a href="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2024/05/14/disappearing-dollars--texas-public-schools-missing-millions">Spectrum News</a> dropped quite the story about Mike Miles’ charter school finances.</p><blockquote><p>Ten years before he took over at Houston ISD, Miles spent three years as the superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District. When he left Dallas in 2015, Miles started three charter schools in Colorado called Third Future Schools.</p><p>According to both internal school records and the nationally recognized school rating agency School Digger, all three schools have since struggled with performance, enrollment and finances.</p><p>Records provided to us by TFS through open records requests reveal Miles was forced to close one of his schools, Coperni 2, last summer. The K-8 school in Colorado Springs was plagued by declining enrollment. The closure left the school with $5 million in unpaid bond debt. </p><p>The Coperni 2 financial bind was discussed at a Third Future School Board meeting via Zoom last summer after Miles took over at Houston ISD, yet Miles was still at the meeting acting as a consultant.</p><p>According to payment records, Miles earned $40,000 consulting for TFS last year. </p><p>During the meeting, Miles urged his old board of directors to find the money and pay the debt.</p><p>“It’s now becoming untenable,” Miles said at the meeting. “We have to subsidize to the tune of maybe $500,000 per year if it only has 180 kids or so. So, I think the time is right to do what the administration is asking to do.”</p><p>In 2020, around the time his financial troubles were beginning in Colorado, Miles began expanding his charter school network to Texas. First, Midland Sam Houston Elementary, then Ector College Prep in Odessa, then Austin Mendez Middle School. But by the end of the 2023 school year, as he was taking over in Houston, Miles’ three Texas schools were nearly $2.7 million in the red.</p><p>So why were Miles’ new Texas schools losing money? Third Future Schools’ 2023 audit shows of the $25 million public tax dollars being spent on Miles’ three Texas schools, $15 million was spent on teachers and supplies. The other $10 million, about 40% of the budget, was spent on unspecified administrative costs and services.</p><p>Spectrum News made multiple requests over several months for a detailed accounting of those administrative expenses. Third Future Schools never responded. However, included in publicly available financial audit records were the auditor’s notes revealing the deficit was “caused by the liabilities of other Third Future Network schools” outside of Texas and to “Third Future Schools Corporate” in Colorado. </p><p>Again, TFS Colorado officials declined to provide us with an explanation of why so many Texas public school dollars were being transferred to school operations in another state. Spectrum News requested and received from TFS an audio recording of the investors’ call. In the recording, a TFS official confirmed Colorado charter school deficits were being offset, in part, by money coming from their charter schools in Texas.</p><p>“We’ve been supplementing that school with the General Fund,” said Renea Ostermiller, then TFS’s chief of finances. “Whether they are in Colorado or whether they are in Texas or whichever state they are in, (a network fee) is assessed and then if the specific school needs funding, then the network supplements them.”</p><p>Spectrum News obtained copies of two checks for more than $1 million each, sent from Miles’ charter school in Odessa, paid and addressed to Third Future Schools in Aurora, Colorado.</p><p>Our attempts over the past five months to reach Miles for an explanation of the payments and a response to our findings have been unsuccessful. Miles referred us to Third Future Schools Executive Director Zach Craddock. We sent Craddock a 23-question list detailing our findings. Craddock declined to respond.</p><p>We also shared our findings with school finance expert and former Texas state Rep. Paul Colbert. Colbert says Texas public schools should not be spending more money than they take in. He also says TFS operators should not send Texas tax dollars out of state. </p><p>“I was the budget chair of education for eight years and research director for the Senate Education Committee for five years,” said Colbert. “My understanding is that it is not legal in Texas for money from a school district in Texas to educate students in other districts in the state let alone in other states.”</p></blockquote><p>Well, at least his utter lack of transparency and unwillingness to answer questions is consistent. I would very much like to see more news organizations get on this story. See <a href="https://twitter.com/HOUmanitarian/status/1790174747579318723">here</a> and <a href="https://www.houstonpress.com/news/calls-for-a-criminal-investigation-of-superintendent-miles-charters-18107364">here</a> for some more. You think any of this may come up at that <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/superintendent-mike-miles-to-take-questions-from-hisd-students-at-houston-landing-event/">Q&A event</a> Miles is performing at?</p><p>Last but not least:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Is this a Wow! or a Holy crap!?</p><p>— Matt Schwartz (@Schwartz_Land) <a href="https://twitter.com/Schwartz_Land/status/1790470247159378327">2:52 PM – 14 May 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p>I would very much like to know more about what happened there. <a href="https://www.reformaustin.org/education/houston-isd-parents-advocate-for-laid-off-teachers-and-principal/">Reform Austin</a> has more.</p><p><u>UPDATE</u>: The <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/houston-isd-mike-miles-charter-school-funds-19457863.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron</a> has picked up the Spectrum News story and added to it. This post is long enough, I’ll come back to this.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114544</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>4</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Mayor Whitmire unveils his first budget</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114542</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114542#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2024 09:53:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Local politics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HFD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HPD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Whitmire]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[property taxes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Renew Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[revenue cap]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sales taxes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Solid Waste Management Department]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stimulus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sylvester Turner]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114542</guid> <description><![CDATA[Here ya go. Amid Houston’s strained financial outlook, Mayor John Whitmire unveiled a $6.7 billion budget proposal on Tuesday, announcing he does not intend to raise taxes or significantly cut city services during the fiscal year starting in July. The … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114542">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/whitmire-budget-revenue-cap-public-safety-19444738.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Here ya go</a>.</p><blockquote><div style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/images/whitmire250.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="size-full" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Mayor John Whitmire</p></div><p>Amid Houston’s strained financial outlook, Mayor John Whitmire unveiled a $6.7 billion budget proposal on Tuesday, announcing he does not intend to raise taxes or significantly cut city services during the fiscal year starting in July.</p><p>The proposed budget, the first of Whitmire’s tenure, features a 7% increase from last year’s plan. It includes additional costs from the $1.5 billion firefighters’ settlement and likely pay raises for municipal workers. It does not, however, account for the <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/drainage-budget-flooding-court-19418562.php">approximately $100 million fiscal impact</a> from an April court ruling concerning the city’s drainage system.</p><p>Whitmire’s administration <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/property-tax-whitmire-firefighter-budget-19406516.php">previously floated</a> the idea of a property tax hike and a garbage fee to close the existing budget gap of around $160 million and help fund the firefighters’ deal. But the mayor said these measures will not be considered in the upcoming year. Instead, the city plans to use the remaining COVID-19 federal funds to close the deficit, which he said he inherited from former Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration.</p><p>Earlier this year, the mayor asked all city departments, except for police and fire, to identify ways to <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/whitmire-houston-mayor-budget-cuts-18707836.php">cut their spending by 5%</a>. The resulting plan shows $11.7 million in departmental savings, primarily from eliminating vacant positions, according to Finance Director Melissa Dubowski. She and the mayor said they will continue to seek cost-saving opportunities in the coming days.</p><p>“I wasn’t prepared to raise taxes or cut services in the short five months that I’ve been here if we could possibly do it a different way,” Whitmire said during a Tuesday press conference. “I actually said during the campaign we didn’t know the true state of the city finances. And we’re still learning on a daily basis where we can have savings.”</p><p>[…]</p><p>To find more cost-saving measures to cover these major financial liabilities, Whitmire said the city will undertake a comprehensive review of each department in the coming months. He said he will also continue to work with other government entities – including Harris County, Metro and state agencies – to share the costs of running city services.</p><p>“Things are in place to get through 2025 without raising taxes through efficiencies and collaboration,” Whitmire said.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114287">here</a> for more on that drainage fee ruling and its impact. I understand the choice of not raising the property tax rate or implementing the garbage fee now. It’s a choice most Mayors would have made. By not raising extra revenue now, it will have the effect of putting more of a burden on future budgets. Maybe there are things that will happen between now and the unveiling of next year’s budget that will ease that burden anyway – higher sales tax revenues, for instance. Maybe <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114324">cooperation with other government entities</a> will be especially fruitful. Maybe the politics of trying to do those things will be more favorable next year than this year. As someone once said, you pay your money and you take your chances. There’s a series of budget workshops scheduled from May 15 to May 28 at which we will learn more details about all this, so stay tuned.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114542</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>On really playing the Lottery</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114322</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114322#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2024 09:45:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Jackpot!]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dawn Nettles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lottery]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rook TX]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Lottery Commission]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Lege]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114322</guid> <description><![CDATA[Fascinating story. By the April 22 Lotto Texas drawing last year, it had been seven months since a player hit a jackpot. Because the pot keeps growing until someone matches all six numbers, the long drought meant the grand prize … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114322">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/texas-lottery-stack-odds-19398045.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Fascinating story</a>.</p><blockquote><p>By the April 22 Lotto Texas drawing last year, it had been seven months since a player hit a jackpot. Because the pot keeps growing until someone matches all six numbers, the long drought meant the grand prize had swollen to $95 million, the game’s third-largest ever.</p><p>That night’s draw — <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLbWSfGm1dQ&list=PL0dq-GL0mnwtgO5w5BsXE3Wlt-mWqtD3X&index=848">3, 5, 18, 29, 30, 52</a> — matched a single ticket purchased in a small store in Colleyville, outside of Fort Worth. </p><p>Winners have six months to claim their prize, either in payments over 30 years or a lump-sum, typically worth about half. On June 27, the state of Texas issued a check for $57.8 million to a New Jersey-based limited partnership apparently formed to collect the jackpot, called Rook TX.</p><p>The Texas Lottery Commission, whose proceeds mainly fund public education, celebrated the big win — “generating much needed revenue for Texas Schools,” then-Executive Director Gary Grief wrote. “What the Texas lottery is all about.”</p><p>But a <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/texas-lottery-stack-math-19398052.php">statistical analysis</a> of the April 22 Lotto Texas drawing strongly suggests that night’s draw wasn’t what a lottery is about at all. Rather, the numbers indicate Rook TX beat the system.</p><p>Unbeknownst to the millions of players who’d invested their hopes and dreams into the game and its life-changing jackpot, the winner had already been decided.</p><p>Rook TX appears to have engineered a nearly risk-free — and completely legal — multimillion-dollar payday.</p><p>And the state of Texas helped.</p></blockquote><p>Spoiler alert: This apparently anonymous partnership bought a ticket for each possible numeric combination, thus ensuring they would win. This is a logistical problem, as you need to buy almost 26 million tickets to make this work, which just takes time to accomplish, a big cash outlay up front – all those tickets cost a buck apiece – and a big financial risk since all it may take is one other winner splitting the jackpot with you to turn your bet into a loser. It’s easier to accomplish the first part of this task, as you don’t have to walk into a store and buy physical tickets anymore, which makes a scheme like this more attractive to outfits that can handle the cash and thus makes the Lottery overall a bit less of a moneymaker for the state, but no one seems terribly fussed about that.</p><p>How do we know for sure that this Rook TX bought all of the ticket combinations? They won all of the runnerup prizes as well, worth another $2 million in total to them. In other words, they got all of the five-out-of-six, four-out-of-six, and three-out-of-six winners, too. The odds of that happening without playing all the numbers is basically zero.</p><p>That’s the TL;dr of this story, but you should read it all anyway, it’s quite the ride. Also read <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/texas-lottery-stack-math-19398052.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">this story</a> about the math. Note that the advertised jackpot of any lottery is the amount paid out over 20 years. The cash equivalent, which most people take up front, is about 40% smaller – this one paid out at about $58 million, which is why there’s such a risk of splitting with other winners. Like I said, read the rest, and then read this <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/texas-lottery-game-popup-ticket-vendors-19438550.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">followup story</a> that sheds some light on the logistics of this scheme.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114322</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>My interviews and Q&As for the runoffs</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114518</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114518#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2024 10:01:47 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Election 2024]]></category> <category><![CDATA[14th Court of Appeals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Angeanette Thibodeaux]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Annette Ramirez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Charlene Ward Johnson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Constable]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Democratic primary]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Desiree Broadnax]]></category> <category><![CDATA[early voting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[endorsements]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gemayel Haynes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County Tax Assessor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HD139]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HD146]]></category> <category><![CDATA[interviews]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jarvis Johnson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jerome Moore]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jerry Rodriguez]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jerry Zimmerer]]></category> <category><![CDATA[judicial races]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lauren Ashley Simmons]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Molly Cook]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Q&A]]></category> <category><![CDATA[runoff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SD15]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Shawn Thierry]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Lege]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Velda Faulkner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vivian King]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114518</guid> <description><![CDATA[Early voting begins Monday, May 20, for the primary runoffs. Yes, I know, we just finished voting for the HCAD/SD15 special elections, but here we are again, and we’ll have one more after that for the HCAD runoffs. So get … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114518">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EarlyVoting.jpg" alt="" width="254" height="199" class="alignright size-full wp-image-45332" /></p><p>Early voting begins Monday, May 20, for the primary runoffs. Yes, I know, we just finished voting for the HCAD/SD15 special elections, but here we are again, and we’ll have one more after that for the HCAD runoffs. So get your voting shoes on, you will have five (5) days of early voting for these runoffs – just the Monday through the Friday. Make a plan to vote. I’ll have more info about the EV schedule and locations later in the week. </p><p>In the meantime, as a reminder, here are the interviews and judicial Q&As I did for the candidates who are now in the runoffs:</p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112905">Molly Cook</a>, SD15<br /><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112908">Rep. Jarvis Johnson</a>, SD15</p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113351">Charlene Ward Johnson</a>, HD139</p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113253">Lauren Ashley Simmons</a>, HD146</p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112988">Annette Ramirez</a>, Tax Assessor<br /><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113023">Desiree Broadnax</a>, Tax Assessor</p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113319">Justice Jerry Zimmerer</a>, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 3<br /><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112747">Velda Faulkner</a>, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 3</p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113018">Vivian King</a>, 486th Criminal District Court</p><p>I did not do an interview with Rep. Shawn Thierry in HD146, and she has justified that choice by going full villain against transgender folks. May we never have to speak her name again after May 28. I reached out to Angie Thibodeaux for an interview in January but never heard back from her. I sent a Q&A to Gemayel Haynes but did not get a response; you can see the Q&A he did for the 2022 primaries <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=104352">here</a>. There is a runoff for Constable in Precinct 5 but I confess I know little about the candidates there. </p><p>For more information you can still peruse the <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DSz6DqEaL5HzQyhuB4WVDLmzD5yFvEvJwQ3REKq1FOo/edit#gid=0">Erik Manning spreadsheet</a>, which shows the various group endorsements for each candidate. The Chron has their list of primary runoff endorsements <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/2024/texas-primary-runoff-endorsements/">here</a>. Last but very much not least, I encourage you to read <a href="https://danieljcohen.substack.com/p/houston-democrat-voting-guide-may-28">Daniel Cohen’s runoff endorsements</a>, as he goes into quite a bit of detail for most of these races. Let me know if you have any questions.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114518</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Multiple schools protest Mike Miles</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114530</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114530#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2024 09:53:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[School days]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Board of Managers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Election 2026]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Greg Abbott]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HISD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Miles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Morath]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Education System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[schools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Education Agency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Lege]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114530</guid> <description><![CDATA[The people are angry. Roughly 200 parents and students started their day protesting in front of Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, one of many Houston ISD campuses sent into turmoil last week with news that their principal was … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114530">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-parents-protest-job-cuts-principals-teachers-19452840.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">The people are angry</a>. </p><blockquote><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GoAwayMiles.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="138" class="alignright size-full wp-image-114532" /></p><p>Roughly 200 parents and students started their day protesting in front of Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School, one of many Houston ISD campuses <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-confirms-layoffs-2024-25-school-year-19449192.php">sent into turmoil</a> last week with news that their <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-principal-resignations-parents-shocked-19451753.php">principal was asked to resign</a>.</p><p>“Everything going on in the district right now is absolutely ridiculous,” said Karina Gates, a Meyerland alum. “I don’t even understand. How do you fire <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-principal-resignations-parents-shocked-19451753.php">the Principal of the Year</a> from last year? I don’t get it. It’s just politics. And they’re screwing with our kids and their futures, and no, no that’s not going to happen.”</p><p>[…]</p><p>Protesters outside the school held signs blasting state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and calling for the protection of principals and teachers. The district has not disclosed how many principals have been targeted for alleged low performance. </p><p>The district also hasn’t disclosed the breakdown of employees being let go as part of a <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-budget-cuts-19438326.php">$450 million funding gap</a>.</p><p>The district’s Board of Managers <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/houston-isd-board-meeting-employee-cuts-19433902.php">unanimously approved measures</a> Thursday to allow the district to cut dozens of staff and teaching positions, including librarians; counselors; principals; and reading, math and science teachers. Miles <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-confirms-layoffs-2024-25-school-year-19449192.php">said earlier that day</a> teachers and principals received notices based on performance metrics, including instruction and achievement data, but that those cuts were unrelated to the “reduction in force.”</p><p>HISD said in a Monday statement that its decisions regarding principals do not relate to its budget.</p><p>“All contract non-renewals for principals are unrelated to HISD’s overall budget challenges,” spokesperson Jose A. Irizarry wrote. “Instead, these contract decisions are being made – again – with the goal of ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction, every day. In some cases, we hope principals who do not retain their current position for next school year will apply for assistant principal or other roles within HISD that will help the educator grow their instructional leadership.”</p><p>Parent and protest co-organizer Rochelle Cabe noted Sarabia, as well as Neff Elementary School Principal Amanda Wingard who <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-principal-resignations-parents-shocked-19451753.php">confirmed on Facebook</a> the district asked her to resign, were Principals of the Year in 2023.</p><p>“I guess the district believes that in just the period of one year, these people who had years upon years of stellar performance within their careers, have gone from being the best in their organization to fireable,” Cabe said. “And I can’t believe that’s the case. That’s insane.” </p><p>Parents at Browning Elementary School and Crockett Elementary School also protested Monday after the district announced Friday their principals will not return next school year.</p><p>Crockett Elementary School, Browning Elementary School and Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men received written notices announcing principal departures.</p><p>The principal of Frank Black Middle School also announced leaving relatively recently in an April 25 letter, parent Heather Winter said. The Houston Chronicle is still seeking to confirm principal departures, as several principals appear to have resigned prior to this round of terminations.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114467">here</a> and <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114422">here</a> for the background. The <a href="https://www.houstonpress.com/news/protests-on-tap-over-hisd-principal-and-teacher-firings-18094377">Press</a> had more from before the events.</p><blockquote><p>To be fair, any time a new superintendent tries to introduce change in a district, particularly if he or she targets long standing curriculum and personnel decisions, they are in for a bumpy ride. Employment decisions are the trickiest since by law, someone’s personnel file cannot be opened up for public consumption. At the same time, it’s this very lack of transparency that makes school communities less than trusting about the actions an administration has taken.</p><p>In the case of HISD, the criticisms are mounting on any number of fronts.</p><p>“Parental frustration over broken promises made by Superintendent Miles about his plans for HISD following the TEA takeover has been brewing the last few months. Each month hundreds of parents and students have signed up to speak at board meetings about how his non-proven NES policies are destroying what is working within the district and demoralizing our educators,” said 2022-23 Meyerland PTO president Amanda Sorena in a press release.</p><p>[…]</p><p>In Sarabia’s case, Sorena said three data points that went into his termination:</p><p>“1. STAAR score decline (they declined for all schools)</p><p>“2. MOY MAP data (Miles said this would not be a matrix held against principals AND MPVA was without heat in several classrooms on testing day)</p><p>“3. Spot Check Dashboard and not hitting “Campus Goals.” (This one is even more perplexing. The dashboard is not transparent. When it rolled out in the Fall, four MPVA admin were tasked with doing their six Spot Checks a week. Three weeks into the school year, one of those administrators was moved by HISD to another campus. The dashboard was not updated.”</p><p>Sorena wrote that another administrator was not assigned to pick up the work from the one moved to another school. All of the assigned spot checks which she was no longer making were scored as zeroes. Sarabia reported this to the people in charge of this but nothing was ever done to correct it, according to his supporters.</p></blockquote><p>It’s the lack of transparency, the frequent dishonesty, the general treating of us all like idiots, and most of all the lack of accountability and oversight. The main reason there’s so much anger being directed at Mike Miles is because there’s no one else to direct it at. In normal circumstances, people would vent their frustrations at the Board of Trustees, but they have no power and the appointed Board of Managers has been nothing more than a rubber stamp. People have very good reasons to be angry about this. And very little reason to think any of the anger they display will be heard or considered. The one thing that we all can do is vote out Greg Abbott in 2026. Stay mad until then, y’all. The <a href="https://www.houstonpress.com/news/crowds-outside-crockett-elementary-protest-principals-removal-18100591">Press</a> has more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114530</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>City of Houston also gets a federal solar grant</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114520</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114520#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2024 09:45:04 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Elsewhere in Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[climate change]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Department of Energy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jennifer Granholm]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joe Biden]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Whitmire]]></category> <category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stimulus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sylvester Turner]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114520</guid> <description><![CDATA[Nice. Houston has received $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance its sustainable energy goals, which Mayor John Whitmire has yet to define for his new administration. The department announced Wednesday that it has selected the city … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114520">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/energy-department-whitmire-solar-panels-19433735.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Nice</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-26-million-37-state-local-and-tribal"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/styles/full_article_width/public/2023-04/Homeowner_F.png?itok=4krhzaze" width="205" height="166" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>Houston has received $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance its sustainable energy goals, which Mayor John Whitmire has yet to define for his new administration.</p><p>The department <a href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-26-million-37-state-local-and-tribal">announced Wednesday</a> that it has selected the city of Houston as one of 27 local governments to receive energy grants totaling $27 million. Port Arthur and Temple are the only other two Texas cities on the list. The two smaller towns secured more moderate amounts of $118,760 and $140,420, respectively. </p><p>The $2 million was allocated to Houston to support four key green energy initiatives: installing solar panels and battery storage at a municipal facility, upgrading municipal buildings to lower energy consumption, creating a loan fund for sustainability projects and revising energy codes to enhance efficiency in future developments.</p><p>“Energy efficient upgrades are a surefire way to bring down costs and shore up resiliency for communities across the nation,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in a Wednesday statement. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is equipping local governments with funds to transform clean energy plans into real actions.”</p><p>The goal of the award is to help Houston advance its existing <a href="https://greenhoustontx.gov/climateactionplan/#:~:text=A%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20provides,negative%20outcomes%20of%20climate%20change.">Climate Action Plan</a>, according to the announcement. The plan, unveiled by former Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2020, consists of <a href="http://greenhoustontx.gov/climateactionplan/">a series of long-range goals</a> to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat the adverse effects of climate change.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Mary Benton, the mayor’s spokeswoman, on Thursday said the administration is excited to have more resources to advance Houston’s current goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The city’s Climate Action Plan and Resilience Plan are scheduled to be revised in 2025, Benton said.</p></blockquote><p>This was from earlier in May. It appears to be from a different pot of money than the <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114271">Solar for All grant</a> that Harris County got. Which is good, the more of this there is the better. We’ll see what this Mayor’s plans are for the Climate Action Plan. At least he didn’t feel the need to put it under immediate review.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114520</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Lawsuit over Alabama AG’s threats against abortion travel can proceed</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114445</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114445#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2024 10:01:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Legal matters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[abortion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ACLU]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Alabama]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SCOTUS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steve Marshall]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Yellowhammer Fund]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114445</guid> <description><![CDATA[Of interest. A federal judge smacked down a series of threats by Alabama’s Republican attorney general to prosecute groups that help women obtain out-of-state abortions, wading into a debate over access to the procedure that has lingered since the Supreme … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114445">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/07/politics/alabama-prosecute-out-of-state-abortion/index.html">Of interest</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/YellowFund"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1501348126464032770/vJEGJYoz_400x400.jpg" width="200" height="200" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>A federal judge smacked down a series of threats by Alabama’s Republican attorney general to prosecute groups that help women <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67649369/48/yellowhammer-fund-v-marshall-lead/">obtain out-of-state abortions</a>, wading into a debate over access to the procedure that has lingered since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.</p><p>The plaintiffs, including a group called the Yellowhammer Fund that helps women obtain out-of-state abortions, sued Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall after he suggested prosecution might be possible for groups that “aid and abet abortions,” including by helping women travel out of state.</p><p>That issue has been closely watched by advocates on both sides of the abortion debate as red states across the country ban or severely limit access to the procedure in the wake of the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abortion-roe-wade/index.html">Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe</a>. That has forced many women seeking an abortion in a clinical setting to cross state lines.</p><p>“The right to interstate travel is one of our most fundamental constitutional rights,” US District Judge Myron Thompson <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67649369/48/yellowhammer-fund-v-marshall-lead/">wrote in a preliminary ruling</a> late Monday.</p><p>“Alabama can no more restrict people from going to, say, California to engage in what is lawful there than California can restrict people from coming to Alabama to do what is lawful here,” Thompson wrote.</p><p>The suits were brought not by women seeking an out-of-state abortion but rather by groups that intend to help them. Thompson, appointed to the bench by President Jimmy Carter, wrote that a patient’s right to travel was “inextricably bound up” with those groups. Collectively, he wrote, the groups receive as many as 95 inquiries each week asking about the availability of out-of-state abortions.</p><p>“The Constitution protects the right to cross state lines and engage in lawful conduct in other states, including receiving an abortion,” Thomson wrote in a decision that will allow the lawsuit to proceed. “Travel is valuable precisely because it allows us to pursue opportunities available elsewhere.”</p><p>[…]</p><p>“I think we will see statements like these increase as attorneys general and other state actors try to extend their own abortion politics and policies across state lines,” said Temple University Beasley School of Law Dean Rachel Rebouché. “This is the world Dobbs created – one of intense interstate conflict.”</p><p>The Supreme Court’s majority opinion in Dobbs didn’t deal with out-of-state travel. But Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative who joined the court’s <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">5-4 majority to overturn Roe</a>, wrote separately to suggest that the question wasn’t an “especially difficult” one to decide.</p><p>“As I see it, some of the other abortion-related legal questions raised by today’s decision are not especially difficult as a constitutional matter,” Kavanaugh wrote. “For example, may a state bar a resident of that State from traveling to another state to obtain an abortion? In my view, the answer is no based on the constitutional right to interstate travel.”</p></blockquote><p>This has obvious implications for Texas, both for the <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106693">abortion funds</a> that <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=108999">operate here</a> as well as for the women who are <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114414">being</a> <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=109195">harassed</a> by loser ex-partners and their fanatic lawyers. There’s a 100% chance that this gets to SCOTUS in one form or another, so it would be nice for a bunch of lower courts to apply Justice Kavanaugh’s “not especially difficult” standard to these cases along the way. A lot will happen between now and then but this is a good start. <a href="https://www.lawdork.com/p/alabama-right-to-travel-abortion-dismiss-denial">Law Dork</a> has a deep dive into the opinion, while <a href="https://www.al.com/politics/2024/05/judge-skewers-alabama-attorney-general-in-ruling-allowing-abortion-travel-lawsuit-to-proceed.html">AL.com</a> and the <a href="https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/court-allows-alabama-abortion-support-lawsuit-to-move-forward">ACLU</a>, who represented the plaintiffs</a>, have more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114445</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Details of Rep. Nehls’ ethics investigation released</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114491</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114491#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2024 09:53:25 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Show Business for Ugly People]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD22]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD28]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Congress]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ethics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FEC]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Henry Cuellar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Troy Nehls]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114491</guid> <description><![CDATA[Still not sure how serious it all is. But at least now we know what it’s about. U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond, is being investigated by his peers over allegations that he used campaign funds for his personal use, according … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114491">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/10/troy-nehls-texas-ethics-investigation-campaign-funds/">Still not sure how serious it all is</a>. But at least now we know what it’s about.</p><blockquote><div style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://www.texastribune.org/directory/troy-nehls/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d59cbd4dbf8d38563d40a2c0bbec372/Troy%20Nehls.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="size-full" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rep. Troy Nehls</p></div><p>U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond, is being investigated by his peers over allegations that he used campaign funds for his personal use, according to an Office of Congressional Ethics report released Friday.</p><p>The Ethics Committee <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/26/troy-nehls-house-ethics-investigation-texas/">announced it was investigating</a> Nehls in March, but the details of the investigation were confidential. Nehls acknowledged in a statement at the time that the investigation was related to his campaign finances and said he would cooperate with the Ethics Committee.</p><p>Nehls’ campaign paid more than $25,000 in rent to a company called Liberty 1776 from 2019 to 2022, according to records with the Federal Election Commission. The company is registered to Nehls, who is listed in state records as the sole operator and proprietor. Nehl’s attorney responded that the business is in fact linked to his campaign.</p><p>The report said the Office of Congressional Ethics could not determine a legitimate campaign use for the payments to Liberty 1776. It is illegal to use campaign finances for purposes not related to running for office.</p><p>The campaign lists a different address than the company’s for its campaign headquarters, though the report notes that address does not appear to be currently used by the campaign. It was most recently an Islamic school and previously a bar, according to the report.</p><p>Liberty 1776 was registered in November 2019, according to the Texas Secretary of State — less than a month before it received the first rent payment from the campaign. The company is currently listed as inactive by the Secretary of State.</p><p>The Office of Congressional Ethics wrote and turned over the report to the House Ethics Committee in December of last year. The Ethics Committee made the report public Friday as it announced it would continue investigating the case.</p><p>In a January response to the report, an <a href="https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/Representative%20Nehls%27%20Response.pdf">attorney for Nehls wrote</a> that the payments to Liberty 1776 were legitimate rent payments for the campaign’s headquarters and events. The campaign set up Liberty 1776 to rent the space listed as its campaign headquarters as a limited liability company to “offer the typical liability protections important for such engagements” since the venue was expected to host large events.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113934">here</a> and <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114022">here</a> for the background. It all sounds shady and not at all like something that could be the result of carelessness or misinterpretation, but it also doesn’t sound like something that might put a person in legal peril. It’s one thing to break rules and another to break the law, and so far at least I’m not seeing anything to suggest that is the case. Maybe there’s more to come, I don’t know. As before, I’ll keep an eye on it. The <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/troy-nehls-campaign-ethics-19451423.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron</a> has more.</p><p>(Yes, I know, I haven’t said a thing about the whole <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/09/henry-cuellar-political-consultants-plea-deal-guilty/">Henry Cuellar situation</a>, in which not only has actual lawbreaking been alleged but two of Cuellar’s consultants have already pleaded guilty to various charges. That’s one part due to the chaotic nature of how I do all this, and one part my extreme desire to not want to think about Henry Cuellar if I don’t have to. If and when he ever takes a plea or ends up in a courtroom I’ll pay attention to it. Until then, consider it acknowledged.)</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114491</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>The Swift Warehouse renovation</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114341</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114341#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2024 09:45:08 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Elsewhere in Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bike trails]]></category> <category><![CDATA[construction]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Heights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[MKT Trail]]></category> <category><![CDATA[National Register of Historic Places]]></category> <category><![CDATA[preservation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Swift Warehouse]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114341</guid> <description><![CDATA[I’m always a sucker for stories about historic warehouse renovations, so of course I’m going to note this. A Houston development team known for turning run-down, defunct buildings into hip, bustling projects is planning to transform a historic warehouse complex … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114341">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I’m always a sucker for stories about <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/swift-building-redevelopment-heights-houston-19408803.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">historic warehouse renovations</a>, so of course I’m going to note this.</p><blockquote><div style="width: 220px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/swift-building-redevelopment-heights-houston-19408803.php"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/37/14/70/24956449/13/960x0.webp" width="210" height="140" class="size-full" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle staff photographer</p></div><p>A Houston development team known for turning run-down, defunct buildings into hip, bustling projects is planning to transform a historic warehouse complex into a 4.47-acre mixed-use project in the Heights. </p><p>Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate are planning to launch construction later this year on an ambitious reimagining of the former Swift and Co. refinery complex at 621 Waverly, along the Heights Hike-and-Bike Trail. The development is next to M-K-T, the mixed-use project Triten and Radom <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Heights-warehouses-to-see-new-life-as-urban-13400147.php">redeveloped during the pandemic</a>.</p><p>Dubbed <a href="https://www.theswiftbldg.com/">the Swift Building</a>, the project will include more than 60,000 square feet of renovated space for retail, small offices and up to six restaurants — all with patios overlooking the popular hike-and-bike trail. As they did at <a href="https://www.themkt.com/">M-K-T</a>, the developers plan to revamp the green space between their property and the trail, adding fresh landscaping and pathways inviting pedestrians into the project. </p><p>Swift, M-K-T and Heights Mercantile a half mile away are transforming deteriorating, forgotten spaces near the trail into a corridor of cultural hubs in one of Houston’s most popular neighborhoods. </p><p>“Swift is a natural extension of our shared vision for M-K-T. Rather than tear down an important symbol of Houston’s — and the Heights’ — past, we instead want to embrace its character and repurpose it into a truly unique community amenity and experience,” said Scott Arnoldy, founder of Triten Real Estate Partners.</p><p>Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2024 and wrap up in 2025, with restaurants likely moving in the next year.</p><p>[…]</p><p>The Swift complex started as a cottonseed oil refinery in 1917, but by the early 1950s Swift and Co. announced plans to convert the site into what was said to be the largest meatpacking facility in the South at the time, capable of processing 1 million pounds of meat weekly, according to National Register of Historic Places documents.</p><p>In one building where meat factory workers used to render fat, 25-foot-tall ceilings are held up by large concrete columns, creating a grand sense of scale that would otherwise be too costly to replicate today, Radom said. In another building once used for cold storage, thick mustard-colored insulation covers brick that developers intend to expose. Broken windows and graffiti-covered walls will be restored throughout. Discarded pieces of insulation littering a roof will be cleaned, and that space will be converted into a rooftop cocktail lounge.</p></blockquote><p>Sounds very cool, and I imagine the view from the rooftop will be awesome. I’ve seen this building a bunch of times as I bike along the MKT Trail, and I’d always wondered about it, partly because it was clearly an artifact and partly because it was easy to imagine it being brought back to life. After I saw this story in the Chron, I took a couple of photos of it the next time I was on the MKT trail:</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kuff/53716970200/in/dateposted-public/" title="Swift Warehouse 1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53716970200_332eec3b3d.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="Swift Warehouse 1"/></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kuff/53716970210/in/dateposted-public/" title="Swift Warehouse 2"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53716970210_aeaa538803.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="Swift Warehouse 2"/></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p><p>I’m delighted to see it happen. I’m sure I’ll swing by with the ol’ camera again as it progresses.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114341</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Weekend link dump for May 12</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114392</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114392#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2024 18:58:22 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[linkdump]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114392</guid> <description><![CDATA[“Someone from @piersmorgan’s staff asked if I would like to come onto Pier’s show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, to talk about the state of his attire. Since he invited feedback, I thought I’d do a thread comparing his style to menswear … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114392">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>“Someone from @piersmorgan’s staff asked if I would like to come onto Pier’s show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, to talk about the state of his attire. Since he invited feedback, I thought I’d do a thread comparing his style to <a href="https://twitter.com/dieworkwear/status/1785413336366293002">menswear icon Kermit the Frog</a>.”</p><p>“Urban arborists say <a href="https://grist.org/agriculture/climate-change-tree-urban-city-arborists-heat-drought-native-species/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us">planting for the future is urgently needed</a> and could prevent a decline in leafy cover just when the world needs it most.”</p><p>“TikTok’s <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/food/2024/05/raw-milk-influencers-h5n1-bird-flu-virus-social-media/">Raw Milk Influencers</a> Are Going to Give Us All Bird Flu”.</p><p>“I wanted to investigate the lifespan of most physical media products to figure out just how long those products would last. The unsatisfying answer I found was: <a href="https://gizmodo.com/how-long-will-your-blu-ray-collection-last-1851379157">It all depends</a>. Here’s a quick look at what can (and cannot) be definitively said about the longevity of your home media library.”</p><p>“My read of these studies is this: The current media portrayals of polyamory capture only a fraction of the complex, widespread, and diverse social arrangements that exist beyond monogamy. When you look at the data, <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2024/05/polyamory-nonmonogomy-dating-relationships-sex.html?via=rss">a bigger, richer, more robust picture comes into view</a> of how sex and love actually unfold in our culture. Society’s view of monogamy as the ultimate romantic ideal has overshadowed other relationship structures, which have existed and will continue to exist regardless of monogamy’s dominance in social norms. In fact, if we want to talk about fads, it’s worth noting that the sexual exclusivity expected in modern American monogamy may itself be a relatively recent norm in human history.”</p><p>Meet <a href="https://ourgame.mlblogs.com/pioneers-larry-lester-7d917d33c7a7">Larry Lester</a>, one of the pioneers of Negro League history.</p><p><a href="https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/5/6/2239214/-Tim-Scott-s-the-latest-VP-wannabe-to-say-he-ll-only-accept-a-Trump-win?pm_campaign=blog&pm_medium=rss&pm_source=main">What an absolute tool</a>.</p><p>“Jeffrey Clark betrayed his oath to support the Constitution of the United States of America. <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24628521-2024-04-29-disciplinary-counsels-proposed-findings-of-fact-and-conclusions-1">He is not fit to be a member</a> of the District of Columbia Bar.”</p><p>“Digital photography ravaged the business of taking and licensing commercial photos. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-last-stock-photographers-await-their-fate-under-generative-ai-822d1e6a">Some fear AI will kill it off</a> entirely.”</p><p>“After lying low for years in the aftermath of January 6, exclusive reporting shows, <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/extremist-militias-are-coordinating-on-facebook/">militia extremist groups and profiles have been quietly reorganizing and ramping up recruitment and rhetoric on Facebook</a>.” Maybe we should do something about that. Also, and especially, maybe Facebook should do something about that.</p><p>“Seventeen sexual and reproductive health researchers are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/28/junk-science-papers-abortion-cases">calling for four peer-reviewed studies by anti-abortion researchers to be retracted or amended</a>. The papers, critics contend, are “fatally flawed” and muddy the scientific consensus for courts and lawmakers who lack the scientific training to understand their methodological problems.”</p><p><a href="https://boingboing.net/2024/05/06/exploding-pressure-cooker-doesnt-stop-tv-pitchman-from-pretending-that-nothing-is-wrong.html">Julia Child would never</a>. Also, ouch.</p><p><a href="https://variety.com/2024/tv/people-news/jeannie-epper-dead-wonder-woman-stunt-double-1235992864/">RIP, Jeannie Epper</a>, pioneering stuntwoman who doubled for Lynda Carter in <em>Wonder Woman</em>.</p><p>“Unlike Trump, I’ve belonged to the GOP my entire life. This November, <a href="https://www.ajc.com/opinion/geoff-duncan-why-im-voting-for-biden-and-other-republicans-should-too/LFLE5YWCBBA6VDGJAJKMNPCDKQ/">I am voting for a decent person I disagree with on policy over a criminal defendant</a> without a moral compass.”</p><p><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/05/new-york-crisis-pregnancy-pro-life-abortion-reversal-letitia-james-lawsuit/">“Crisis pregnancy centers”</a> are the worst.</p><p>“Donald Trump might not be in this mess if he <a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/05/stormy-daniels-donald-trump-hush-money-trial-cheap-micromanager.html?via=rss">wasn’t such a cheapskate</a> and micromanager.”</p><p>“I had previously assumed that Trump would have a good shot at getting off with probation if he’s only convicted in the Manhattan case. He <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/05/07/trump-gag-order-violations-sentencing-00156373">seems to want to test</a> that proposition.”</p><p>“Marvel Will Release <a href="https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/marvel-tv-shows-movies-reduced-bob-iger-disney-1235994149/">No More Than Three Movies and Two Shows Per Year</a>, Bob Iger Says”.</p><p>“TikTok and its Chinese parent company <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-3b4c1fa44c89d4568d26f1c7caf303ec">filed a lawsuit Tuesday</a> challenging a new American law that would ban the popular video-sharing app in the U.S. unless it’s sold to an approved buyer, saying it unfairly singles out the platform and is an unprecedented attack on free speech.”</p><p>Congratulations to University of Houston Professor <a href="https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/education/books-libraries/2024/05/07/486835/university-of-houston-professor-wins-2024-pulitzer-prize-for-memoir/">Cristina Rivera Garza</a> for her Pulitzer Prize.</p><p>“Gisele Bündchen is <a href="https://www.tvinsider.com/1134919/gisele-bundchen-tom-brady-netflix-roast/">said to be furious</a> about jokes made about her marriage to Tom Brady during the NFL legend’s Netflix roast which took place this past Sunday.”</p><p>And the <a href="https://boingboing.net/2024/05/08/rfk-jr-says-doctors-found-dead-worm-in-his-partially-eaten-brain.html">worms</a> ate into his brain…</p><p>Everything you wanted to know about <a href="https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what-must-prosecutors-prove-in-trump-s-ny-trial">what prosecutors must prove in Trump’s NY trial</a> but were afraid to ask.</p><p>“After being embroiled in a sex-abuse scandal, the Boy Scouts are <a href="https://www.tpr.org/economy-and-labor/2024-05-07/after-years-of-scandal-boy-scouts-of-america-changes-its-name-to-scouting-america">changing their name</a>. The 114-year old organization known as BSA or Boy Scouts of America will be rebranding as Scouting America early next year.”</p><p><a href="https://theathletic.com/5478528/2024/05/08/nba-tnt-nbc-tv-deal-david-zaslav/?source=pulsenewsletter&campaign=9762612&userId=14739098">David Zaslov</a> continues to be an idiot. Film at 11.</p><p><a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/05/08/pete-mccloskey-former-south-bay-congressman-combat-veteran-and-environmental-leader-dies-at-96/">RIP, Pete McCloskey</a>, former liberal Republican Congressman from California and <a href="https://www.gocomics.com/doonesbury/1972/08/25">Nixon critic</a> who co-founded Earth Day. </p><p><a href="https://variety.com/2024/film/news/roger-corman-dead-producer-independent-b-movie-1235999591/">RIP, Roger Corman</a>, legendary B-movie producer whose most famous work was the original <em>Little Shop of Horrors</em>.</p><p><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/05/steve-bannon-just-inched-a-bit-closer-to-prison/">Lock him up</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114392</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Lawsuit filed over Humble ISD’s lack of single member districts</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114470</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114470#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2024 10:15:27 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Legal matters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[School days]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Humble ISD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Judith Bautista]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Martina Dixon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[single member districts]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Spring Branch]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Voting Rights Act]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114470</guid> <description><![CDATA[Add another to the pile. A former Humble ISD Spanish teacher sued the district Thursday, alleging trustees and administrators violated the Voting Rights Act by holding all at-large elections for the school board. The lawsuit, filed by Brewer Storefront, the … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114470">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/lawsuit-accuses-humble-isd-violating-voting-19449090.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Add another to the pile</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/HumbleISD"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1153751100224393232/AEscQjL6_400x400.png" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>A former Humble ISD Spanish teacher sued the district Thursday, alleging trustees and administrators <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/humble-angleton-isd-s-accused-violating-voting-19031931.php">violated the Voting Rights Act</a> by holding all at-large elections for the school board. </p><p>The lawsuit, filed by Brewer Storefront, the advocacy arm of Dallas-based Brewer, Attorneys and Counselors, states that Humble ISD has a 70% minority student population, yet a majority white board. It also claims that the district has a geographically significant Hispanic population that would allow for at least one Hispanic-majority single member district to be drawn for increased representation. While the board does have two black trustees, the board does not have a Hispanic trustee. </p><p>The firm called the 48,000-student district’s elections system a “relic of the district’s past.”</p><p>“Even though Humble ISD’s population has significantly grown and diversified since 1919, the district’s political leadership has failed to adjust to these demographic or socio-economic changes,” the lawsuit reads. The district, spanning northern Harris and Montgomery counties is the sixth fastest growing district in Texas and began as a one-room schoolhouse.</p><p>The lawsuit comes after Brewer Storefront <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/humble-angleton-isd-s-accused-violating-voting-19031931.php">sent letters to 11 Texas school districts</a> in March as part of a statewide initiative to secure voting rights among Texas’ minority populations. The firm sent letters of warning to Humble ISD, Lufkin ISD and Angleton ISDs, asking that the districts consider at least one single member district to allow for minority representation. </p><p>After the district decided to “‘refuse the opportunity to avoid litigation'” according to the law firm’s release, the plaintiff decided to propel the cause with legal action. </p><p>The founder of the firm, William Brewer, said the plaintiff was taking the action in May because “time is of the essence when people are being denied the right to fairly participate in the political process,” he said, adding that the board “indicated no meaningful willingness to bring the electoral system into compliance with the Voting Rights Act.”</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113740">here</a> for a Houston Landing story on how At Large-only school boards in the Houston area are failing to represent significant portions of their population. There’s a copy of the lawsuit in <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/former-teacher-sues-humble-isd-alleging-board-elections-disadvantaged-latino-voters/">this Landing story</a>, which adds more details.</p><blockquote><p>Two Houston-area districts, Pearland ISD and Spring Branch ISD, currently face Voting Rights Act lawsuits for their at-large election system. Both of the lawsuits are <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/future-of-spring-branch-isd-voting-rights-act-lawsuit-uncertain-frustrating-advocates/">held up in federal court</a>, pending a decision on whether it’s legal for private citizens to bring Voting Rights Act lawsuits against governing bodies. </p><p>Earlier this year, a majority of <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/humble-isd-trustees-shelve-proposal-that-would-produce-more-geographic-diversity-on-board/">Humble ISD trustees swiftly squashed</a> Trustee Martina Lemond-Dixon’s proposal to discuss a voluntary switch to a hybrid single-member district election model, which could have delivered more diversity — and avoided the lawsuit filed today. </p><p>The lawsuit also states that the lack of Hispanic representation on Humble’s school board is to blame for the district’s “achievement gap” between white and minority students. State data shows that 66 percent of all-white students in the district met grade-level standards in all subjects in the 2022-23 school year, compared to 34 percent of Black students and 43 percent of Hispanic students. </p><p>“Experience tells us that one of the best ways to decrease the performance gaps … is to get parents from all parts of the community involved,” William Brewer, the attorney, told the Landing in late March. </p><p>Humble ISD also faced backlash last year when Humble ISD administrators <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/humble-kingwood/article/humble-isd-sarape-stole-graduation-18132195.php">confiscated Latino students’ Spanish National Honor Society stoles at graduation</a> — which led Bautista to resign from her teaching position, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit alleges the instance was indicative of discrimination exacerbated by the district’s lack of Hispanic representation.</p><p>Thursday’s lawsuit comes during a rocky period in Humble ISD. In late April, a Title IX investigation found that former athletic director Troy Kite, who is married to Superintendent Elizabeth Fagan, created a “hostile” environment by routinely making sexual comments to colleagues. </p><p>The investigation temporarily threw <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/humble-isd-superintendent-avoids-vote-on-her-future-amid-investigation-into-husband/">Fagen’s job into jeopardy</a> and exposed a divide among trustees, who have described the board’s relationship as “broken.”</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=101693">here</a> for more on the Spring Branch ISD lawsuit. I missed the filing in Angleton ISD. There’s plenty more where these came from. I’ll keep an eye on them.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114470</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Harris County sues TCEQ over concrete plant permit</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114497</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114497#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2024 10:05:44 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Legal matters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[air quality]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Christian Menefee]]></category> <category><![CDATA[concrete]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Environmental Protection Agency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County Attorney]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris Health System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Kashmere Gardens]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[LBJ Hospital]]></category> <category><![CDATA[pollution]]></category> <category><![CDATA[TCEQ]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Coastal Materials]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Trinity Gardens]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114497</guid> <description><![CDATA[A good fight to pick. Harris County sued the Texas Commission on Environment Quality on Wednesday for approving a permit for a concrete crushing plant located near Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston’s Kashmere Gardens. The lawsuit – filed in … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114497">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonlanding.org/harris-county-sues-tceq-over-kashmere-gardens-concrete-facility-amid-air-quality-concerns/">A good fight to pick</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harris-county/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D560BAQHdgu-Jgfr10Q/company-logo_200_200/0/1710364498006/harris_county_logo?e=1723680000&v=beta&t=CSTKVe4T5YDnWiUtmGgM1uQgvodv8DB6k7QoK_TbZ1M" width="200" height="200" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>Harris County sued the Texas Commission on Environment Quality on Wednesday for approving a permit for a concrete crushing plant located near Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston’s Kashmere Gardens. </p><p>The lawsuit – filed in behalf of Harris Health, Trinity Gardens and Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood councils – argues that the plant, which is operated by Texas Coastal Materials, will be less than 440 yards from a chapel within the hospital and that the facility doesn’t comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the harmful particulate matter that the facility emits into the air. </p><p>“What we’ve seen traditionally is an unwillingness from state officials to address the pressing needs of these communities,” said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee. “If you look at the folks in Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, there’s been substantial community pushback to this proposal to this concrete crushing site and you have yet to see anyone in the state taking this pushback seriously.” </p><p>In a statement, TCEQ said it does not comment on pending litigation.</p><p>Texas Coastal Materials applied for an air quality standard permit last summer, but residents did not discover the new application until September.</p><p>The company published a required notice about its plant in El Perico Spanish newspaper and in the Highlands Star/Crosby Courier – a non-Houston publication 30 miles from the proposed plant – in August. There was no notice in a Houston paper until October. </p><p>The proposed concrete crushing plant also comes just as Houston voters <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/harris-health-bond-issue-to-renovate-expand-lbj-hospital-and-clinics/">approved a $2.5 billion bond project</a> to expand LBJ Hospital and Clinics last November. </p><p>After months of community opposition, public meetings and letters of complaint, the TCEQ approved the permit in January 2024. </p><p>Concrete crushing plants break up large pieces of concrete, asphalt and rock into smaller pieces, producing dust that is small enough for people to breathe. This dust can cause lung damage, respiratory problems and cancer. </p><p>The Harris County Attorney’s office, along with Lone Star Legal Aid, filed a motion to overturn the permit, but received no reply. Community activists and leaders also <a href="https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2024/02/16/477810/community-leaders-urge-greg-abbott-to-reverse-permit-for-concrete-crushing-plant-near-lbj-hospital/">called on Governor Greg Abbott</a> to overturn the decision, with no response. </p><p>“We’re at this lawsuit stage because all our other options are exhausted,” Menefee said. “It’s all really accumulated to us going to the courts to get opposition, but the main point here is that every step of the way there has been substantial community and public official pushback.”</p><p>The county’s lawsuit alleges that the standard air quality permit that all concrete facilities need is deficient. The standard permit has not been updated by TCEQ since March 2008. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has updated its National Ambient Air Quality Standards four times since then.</p><p>Most recently, in February this year, the agency lowered the annual standards for PM 2.5 – the smallest level of particulate matter – from 12 to 9 µg/m3, meaning the facilities have to follow a more stringent environmental protocol. </p><p>In response to public comments, the TCEQ said it evaluated the permit before the new standards went into effect, but they would re-evaluate and take necessary steps to ensure compliance with them.</p></blockquote><p>A copy of the lawsuit, which was filed in Travis County in a state district court, is <a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/50cc5a01901/b14ed9c8-d43f-4952-8f0c-429330179bcf.pdf?rdr=true">here</a>; I got it in a press release from the County Attorney’s office. There’s a lot about this permit that’s shady – the lack of notice to the residents and the seemingly deliberate use of outdated standards being the obvious examples. All par for the course with the TCEQ, so the question is whether or not they will face any constraints from the courts. It may be awhile before we find out, but if we can at least keep the construction from starting in the meantime, that will be a win for the affected residents. The <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/harris-county-sues-tceq-concrete-crusher-near-lbj-19446648.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron</a> has more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114497</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>A longer look at why we don’t have hockey in Houston</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114243</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114243#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 12 May 2024 09:56:09 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Other sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[downtown]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gary Bettman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[hockey]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston Aeros]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NHL]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Phoenix Coyotes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Rockets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Tilman Fertitta]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Toyota Center]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114243</guid> <description><![CDATA[Some fascinating stuff here. “I think it’s surprising that if you look at the growth of the NHL and you see that Atlanta and Houston aren’t represented, that is sort of shocking given the size of those markets,” said Neil … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114243">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/general/article/houston-nhl-shut-out-arena-ownership-issues-19401721.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Some fascinating stuff here</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://www.nhl.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size50/v1697743790/prd/assets/nhl/logos/nhl_2568x1144.png" width="256" height="144" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>“I think it’s surprising that if you look at the growth of the NHL and you see that Atlanta and Houston aren’t represented, that is sort of shocking given the size of those markets,” said Neil Smith, former general manager of the New York Rangers.</p><p>“I think (Houston has) got everything, but it doesn’t have an owner. That’s the only thing. I think it has everything you want in a major market with a building that’s got the revenue sources you need to support a major league team. I think it would be a great place.”</p><p>In December 1990, then-Quebec Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut said “San Diego, Miami, Houston, Seattle, Atlanta. The NHL believes our future is in these cities.”</p><p>In the years since, 17 markets have gotten new teams via expansion or relocation. But not Houston.</p><p>“Other (Sun Belt) markets like Dallas, Tampa Bay, Florida and even Carolina, those teams are all good, and their markets are great, but they don’t honestly compare to Houston,” former Aeros and NHL enforcer John Scott <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/article/Former-Aero-John-Scott-eager-to-help-his-beloved-12393292.php">told the Chronicle in 2017</a>. “I don’t know why there hasn’t been discussion of a team in Houston, because it’s kind of a no-brainer. If Dallas can support a team, Houston can obviously support a team.”</p><p>While Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/general/article/houston-nhl-tilman-fertitta-working-on-it-19396296.php">expressed more interest</a> of late <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/general/article/tilman-fertitta-houston-nhl-team-18679917.php">in bringing an NHL team to Toyota Center</a>, Houston has been passed by another market with the Arizona Coyotes’ move to Salt Lake City for next season made official Thursday.</p><p>[…]</p><p>When he bought the Rockets in October 2017, Fertitta said he “<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/New-Rockets-owner-would-consider-NHL-team-if-12267657.php">would put an NHL team here tomorrow</a>.” Last fall, Rockets president of business operations Gretchen Sheirr said <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/houston-rockets-nhl-ready-ice-toyota-center-18410402.php">making Toyota Center “hockey ready”</a> was part of the building’s future renovations.</p><p>While he’s been open to adding an NHL team, Fertitta — <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/tilman-fertitta-washington-commanders-sale-billion-17894928.php">who bid $5.5 billion for the NFL’s Washington Commanders last year</a> — has included caveats through the years such as “whatever we do has to make sense” and “it’s got to be good for both of us.”</p><p>This week, Fertitta <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/04/15/nhl-arizona-coyotes-sale-move-fertitta-houston.html">told the Houston Business Journal</a> that he was not allowed to bid for the Coyotes because “the NHL views Houston as an expansion target, removing the ability for us to purchase and relocate an existing team.” He added that he was still committed to bringing pro hockey to Houston in a partnership with real estate developer Ira Mitzner, the CEO of the Houston-based RIDA Development Corporation.</p><p>But given how quickly Smith moved to acquire an NHL franchise after buying the Jazz in December 2020, Fertitta’s interest in landing a team has been questioned by hockey insiders.</p><p>“Tilman Fertitta being interested in a hockey team, it’s almost passive aggressive, because does he really want a hockey team?” said John Shannon, a veteran Canadian analyst and sports television producer who also worked four seasons in the NHL office. “Maybe he does. He doesn’t want to pay what (commissioner Gary Bettman) wants him to pay, I’m sure, if it came to fruition. But he doesn’t want the competition for an arena, for sure.</p><p>“If Ryan Smith in Salt Lake City owned the Rockets, this might be a different discussion because he’s a huge hockey fan and wants a hockey team. … I don’t think there’s a huge advocate in Houston at this point other than Fertitta, who’s trying to probably make the best business move, as opposed to being a passionate hockey fan.”</p><p>[…]</p><p>While Houston might lack an outspoken in-market advocate, it does have an influential champion who has Bettman’s ear.</p><p>Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, longtime chairman of the NHL’s board of governors, <a href="https://985thesportshub.com/episodes/bruins-owner-jeremy-jacobs-interview/">said in October 2018</a> that “clearly the one area that is missing is Houston, because that’s a great city.”</p><p>“Oh, Mr. Jacobs carries a lot of juice, absolutely,” Shannon said. “He’s one of Gary Bettman’s closest confidants.”</p><p>Former NHL player Nick Kypreos, a longtime analyst and radio host for Canadian cable network Sportsnet, said Jacobs’ influence shouldn’t be taken lightly.</p><p>“I think he carries a lot of weight, and if he’s in the corner of Houston, it’s just another reason to take Houston seriously,” Kypreos said.</p><p>But Jacobs’ support goes only so far.</p><p>“Until there’s a building to play in, they’re not going to Houston,” Dallas Stars chairman Jim Lites said. “I think Houston would be absolutely the best expansion market in the United States, but until the guy who controls the building there wants to have an NHL team, it isn’t going to happen.</p><p>“I’ve had people come to me and ask me about (who) would be interested in acquiring an expansion team or transferring a franchise there, and I know Gary doesn’t stand in its way. But he won’t give a franchise away just to get one there, nor should he.”</p></blockquote><p>See <a hhref="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114122">here</a> for the most recent entry in this saga. The bottom line is that if Tilman Fertitta, who controls the arena in which the hockey would be played, really wanted an NHL team, he’d be very likely to get one. If that’s what you want for Houston, now you know who to direct your pleas to.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114243</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>5</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Election 3 of 4 for SD15 is up next</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114453</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114453#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 09:56:45 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Election 2024]]></category> <category><![CDATA[campaign finance reports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Democratic primary]]></category> <category><![CDATA[early voting]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jarvis Johnson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Molly Cook]]></category> <category><![CDATA[runoff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SD15]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[special election]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[turnout]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114453</guid> <description><![CDATA[Early voting for the primary runoffs starts May 20, which is to say a week from Monday. Are we not excited? Few voters paid attention to Saturday’s state Senate District 15 special election that saw emergency room nurse Molly Cook … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114453">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonlanding.org/the-gloves-are-off-sd-15-primary-runoff-could-heat-up-after-sleepy-special-election/">Early voting for the primary runoffs starts May 20</a>, which is to say a week from Monday. Are we not excited?</p><blockquote><div style="width: 150px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://www.mollyfortexas.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1481407140753555464/stnEzTC6_400x400.jpg" width="140" height="140" class="size-full" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Molly Cook</p></div><p>Few voters paid attention to Saturday’s state Senate District 15 special election that saw emergency room nurse Molly Cook prevail over state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, a result the veteran Democrat blames on himself. </p><p>He and his supporters got complacent, Johnson admitted Monday.</p><p>Now, the four-term state rep has less than three weeks to reverse Saturday’s defeat. The pair face off again in a May 28 Democratic primary runoff.</p><p>“It’s time to take the gloves off,” Johnson said, taking aim at Cook. “Obviously, your tricks have worked. Your lies invigorated your people. It engaged them and enraged them and they went to the polls.”</p><p>[…]</p><p>Johnson blamed his defeat on “poli-tricks,” pointing the finger at a series of mailers sent to voters by the Cook campaign that claimed Johnson is not trustworthy enough to defend Democratic values in the Senate.</p><p>One of the mailers claims Johnson has “caved to Greg Abbott too many times” and details perceived shortcomings in Johnson’s record on the issues of gun control, abortion rights, healthcare expansion and public school funding. </p><p>He also said he expects further political attacks in the weeks leading up to the primary runoff, specifically targeting his family life. </p><p>“I underestimated the impact,” Johnson said. “Sometimes when you tell a lie enough, in some peoples’ heads, it becomes the truth.”</p><p>Cook denied Johnson’s claim that her campaign is planning to roll out any negative campaigning about his family. A primary race is the most appropriate time for a “thoughtful and deliberate review” of Johnson’s record of service in the House, she added.</p><p>[…]</p><p>For months, Johnson has been framing himself as the race’s frontrunner, touting a long record of service on Houston City Council and in the state House of Representatives. He largely has avoided engaging in direct back-and-forth with Cook apart from an April 17 debate. </p><p>Now, he promises to confront the negative campaigning head on, teeing up what could be a contentious final few weeks leading to the runoff. </p><p>Cook, for her part, said she intends to continue the strategy that delivered Saturday’s victory and the title of senator-elect, striking a tone as the new frontrunner in declining to respond to Johnson’s comments. </p><p>“We are not taking a single thing for granted,” Cook said. “The district has placed a lot of trust in us, but that means they also trust me to go out and win on May 28.”</p><p>The win may give Cook a small boost in fundraising and enthusiasm among her supporters, although it is unlikely to have a large impact on the runoff, said Michael Adams, a professor of public affairs at Texas Southern University. </p><p>Johnson’s strategy prior to the special election was to present himself in the mold of Whitmire, a moderate Democrat known for dealmaking in a Republican-controlled Senate, Adams said.</p><p>“He started running a more centrist campaign thinking he could draw from the well of Whitmire’s supporters, and that wasn’t the case,” Adams said.</p><p>Adams also credited Cook’s multiple strong campaigns in the district, first running in 2022 running against Whitmire in the Democratic primary, for boosting her name ID despite not previously holding elected office.</p></blockquote><p>I think there’s something to Johnson’s statement that he “got complacent” for the special election, which to be fair had mostly low stakes. I’m aware of quite a bit of canvassing done by the Cook campaign – which, again to be fair, is what you’d expect the candidate that trailed by 15 points in the previous election to do – as well as quite a bit of mail, including a number of attack mailers. Johnson’s campaign sent some mail, including some hits on Cook, as well, just not as much. I have no doubt that this sprint to the finish line will be loud and messy.</p><p>How loud and messy it gets will depend in part on how much each campaign has to spend. The most recent campaign finance reports we have – for <a href="https://prd.tecprd.ethicsefile.com/public/cf/2024/pdfs/ScrubbedReport_100953862.PDF">Johnson</a> and for <a href="https://prd.tecprd.ethicsefile.com/public/cf/2024/pdfs/ScrubbedReport_100951953.PDF">Cook</a> – are the 8 day reports for the special election. Here’s where they stand:</p><pre><span style="font-family: courier;">Candidate Raised Spent Loan On Hand==============================================Cook 291,236 239,404 0 88,079Johnson 227,983 108,336 35,000 94,491</span></pre><p>There will be an 8 day report for the primary runoff, which should drop on May 20, so we’ll see how busy they’ve been in the meantime. I agree with Professor Adams that the win on the 4th gives Cook a bit of momentum but not that much. It’s a different race and a different electorate, and while turnout won’t be as high as it was in March (49,603 total votes out of 53,083 cast ballots) it will be higher than it just was in the special. Cook needs her supporters and she needs to win over some of the folks who voted for a different candidate before. Johnson in theory just needs his own voters. The HD139 runoff should help Johnson; there’s no analogous race that ought to boost Cook. We’ll see how it goes. </p><p>As a reminder, my interview from the primary with Molly Cook is <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112905">here</a> and my interview with Jarvis Johnson is <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112908">here</a>. Go listen to them (again) and get ready to vote soon. Early voting for this one is strictly a five day Monday-to-Friday affair, so make sure you get right on it.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114453</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>More on the coming HISD cuts</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114467</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114467#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 09:47:22 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[School days]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Board of Managers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Greg Abbott]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HISD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mike Miles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Education System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[schools]]></category> <category><![CDATA[stimulus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Lege]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vouchers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114467</guid> <description><![CDATA[I repeat, this is going to suck. An undisclosed number of Houston ISD teachers and principals received notices this week that they will be out of a job, state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said Thursday. Miles said principals have begun making … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114467">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I repeat, <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-confirms-layoffs-2024-25-school-year-19449192.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">this is going to suck</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonISD"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1702732277610893312/IyuntodY_400x400.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a></p><p>An undisclosed number of Houston ISD teachers and principals received notices this week that they will be out of a job, state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said Thursday.</p><p>Miles said principals have <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/houston-isd-may-board-meeting-19433892.php">begun making decisions</a> about which teachers to hire back based on certain data points, such as spot observations, performance on the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System professionalism domain and performance on the <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/houston-isd-nwea-map-test-results-2024-18620232.php">Measures of Academic Progress Growth</a> assessment and other student achievement data.</p><p>“We are using data maybe for the first time,” Miles said during a media conference. “At this time of year, when principals assess whether or not a teacher will return, they’re looking not just at the anecdotal information, but they’re also looking at data of all sorts to assess. So that’s what principals have been doing. They’ve been looking at data.”</p><p>Miles said he did not know the specific number of teachers or principals who would not be keeping their jobs, but the district would have that information in a few weeks. Multiple teachers reported receiving notices this week to attend a Zoom call to discuss their “future employment for the district” Friday, although the exact nature of the call was not made clear.</p><p>Miles said although several teachers will not have their contracts renewed, the district was not cutting the number of teacher positions. He said the district has been hiring people to replace the teachers who would not be renewed, and HISD students would still have an effective teacher and approximately the same class size ratios during the upcoming academic year. </p><p>“Last Saturday, at the job fair, we had about 1,500 to 2,000 teachers apply for about 800 positions. Several hundred where offers were made,” Miles said. “I don’t know the exact number, but it’s … maybe 500 positions in the NES schools out of 5,000 that still are vacant, and those will be filled by the end of May.”</p><p>Miles said executive directors and division superintendents were also reviewing instructional, achievement and leadership data for principals and making decisions this week “based on several things” about who would be keeping their positions next year. </p><p>Along with nonrenewals of teachers and principals, Miles said Thursday that almost every department, including custodians and maintenance workers, have to cut positions, although he said he didn’t know the exact number of employees who had learned they were being cut in recent weeks.</p><p>“The budget and financial situation has been complicated this year, because of the end of our COVID relief aid, or ESSER, dollars,” Miles said. “So as a result of ESSER dollars, the district had placed a lot of money into recurrent expenses, and that meant we have not only to balance the budget, but we have to find a way to pay for the positions that were funded by ESSER.”</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114422">here</a> for the background. Bullet point time…</p><p>– I see no reason to believe anything Mike Miles says. I’m sure some of what he’s saying will be true, but his overall track record is way too full of untruths that you can’t count on any single thing he says to be one of them. What an absolute disaster he’s been.</p><p>– There will be <a href="https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/31476#calendar35636/20240509/event/656667">one, count ’em, one</a> public meeting at which the 2024-25 budget will be discussed. Some info on what the Board will be considering is <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/houston-isd-may-board-meeting-19433892.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">here</a> and <a href="https://www.houstonpress.com/news/a-glimpse-of-hisds-central-office-2024-25-budget-plans-18058991">here</a>. Good luck with that.</p><p>– HISD was always going to face a budget crunch this coming year, in part because of expiring stimulus funds, in part because of the extra cost of the NES program )which Miles has never been clear about), and of course in part of the Legislature’s failure to give school districts any extra money because they were hostage to Greg Abbott’s voucher mania. School districts everywhere have had to make big cuts because of the Republican failure to fund public education. Not that Mike Miles has had anything to say about it.</p><p>– So, um, how does that <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114132">bond issue</a> fit in with this budget? Maybe not for this year, but going forward there will be costs associated with the bonds.</p><p>I just have no trust in Miles, and there’s no oversight on him. This is going to suck, suck, suck. The <a href="https://www.houstonpress.com/news/hisd-busy-bidding-goodbye-to-many-of-its-teachers-18081733">Press</a> has more.</p><p><u>UPDATE</u>: How does any of <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-principal-resignations-parents-shocked-19451753.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">this</a> make sense?</p><blockquote><p>Houston ISD alerted dozens of teachers and principals of both performance-based job cuts and budget-forced reductions this week, prompting parents across the state’s largest school system to plan another round of protests as the tumultuous school year under state takeover nears an end. </p><p>Among the dozens of teachers and principals asked to leave: both the HISD Elementary and Middle School Principals of the Year in HISD in 2023. </p><p>Neff Elementary Principal Amanda Wingard confirmed in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amanda.wingard/posts/10161921975643694">Facebook post Thursday</a> that the school district asked her to resign.</p><p>“I have loved Neff and the Sharpstown community for the last 35 years,” wrote Wingard, who was <a href="https://blogs.houstonisd.org/news/2023/02/24/principals-of-the-year-honored-with-surprise-celebrations-at-their-campuses/#:~:text=This%20year's%20honorees%2C%20Principals%20Amanda,by%20their%20students%20and%20colleagues.">honored at a banquet a year ago for her leadership</a>.</p><p>Alongside her is 2022-23 Middle School Principal of the Year, Auden Sarabia, who told his staff at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts this week that he was asked to resign or go before the Board of Managers, a teacher and parents confirmed. Saraba has worked for HISD for 18 years.</p><p>Crockett Elementary Principal Alexis Clark is also not returning to her visual and performing arts magnet campus near the Heights.</p><p>“I’m heartbroken. We’re all heartbroken. I’ve done my best to protect my kids — they’re young — from what’s happening,” said Liz Silva, PTO fundraising chair and incoming president. “Can’t really avoid the topic anymore with them.” </p><p>Clark has been a staunch advocate for the campus, which is set to become one of appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ 40 <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/hisd-new-education-system-expansion-18563996.php">new New Education System schools next year</a>. Silva and other parents received “a very cold email” Friday from the school district saying that Clark would not return for the upcoming school year. <strong>The district email did not state a reason for the change.</strong></p></blockquote><p>Emphasis mine. That is straight up cowardice. But it’s what happens when you have a completely unaccountable overlord in charge. Nobody who cares about HISD has any power over it right now. </p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114467</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>9</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>We sure Ken Paxton isn’t investing in VPNs?</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113920</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113920#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 09:36:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Legal matters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Technology, science, and math]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Attorney General]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aylo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Free Speech Coalition]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Hammy Media]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ken Paxton]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Multi Media]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pornhub]]></category> <category><![CDATA[pornography]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VPN]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113920</guid> <description><![CDATA[I mean… When she saw that Pornhub was disabling access in Texas, Express VPN privacy advocate Lauren Hendry Parsons’s reaction was rooted in what she’s seen the past few years. “Honestly, all I thought was, here we go again,” Parsons … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113920">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/searches-vpn-services-spike-texas-pornhub-blocked-19364806.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">I mean</a>…</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://www.freespeechcoalition.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-full" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f28c184953ab91a0dc0daed/1717f008-aac2-4f87-a06e-7504bcd54a4b/Cropped+FSC+Abbr+with+Full+Text+Full+Color+Gradient.png?format=1500w" width="300" height="133" /></a></p><p>When she saw that Pornhub was <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/pornhub-blocked-texas-age-verification-19021482.php">disabling access in Texas</a>, Express VPN privacy advocate Lauren Hendry Parsons’s reaction was rooted in what she’s seen the past few years.</p><p>“Honestly, all I thought was, here we go again,” Parsons said.</p><p>Texas was the latest state to see Pornhub pull access to its content for people logging on from people in the state. But there is a workaround for people looking to access that content: VPNs.</p><p>A VPN is a virtual private network that hides a user’s IP address, which means the location of the user also is hidden and they can operate their device as if they aren’t in the location they are currently residing.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Parsons, who is based in London, said Express VPN wants to encourage thoughtful solutions for ways to protect people’s rights on the internet.</p><p>She said the situation over age verification reminds her of music festivals. At music festivals she has attended, security check IDs before people enter the venue. People of age to drink then receive a wristband, and they never have to have their IDs checked again during the event.</p><p>Parsons says trying to translate a system like that, where your ID gets you a signifier and then your ID information is removed while the signifier stays, could work in the digital world.</p><p>“If you were asking me to boil it down to one thing, it would be privacy by design,” Parsons said. “Whatever the solution is — whether it’s device based, whether it’s website based, whether it’s an ID, whether it’s something independent — it’s about baking in something that does not diminish people’s digital privacy rights.”</p></blockquote><p>If he keeps <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113583">filing</a> these <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113878">lawsuits,</a>, I’ll have to keep asking these questions. It’s not like he’s being transparent about his finances, after all.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=113920</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Dispatches from Dallas, May 11 edition</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114493</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114493#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 11 May 2024 09:25:26 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dallas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[guest post]]></category> <category><![CDATA[linkdump]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114493</guid> <description><![CDATA[This is a weekly feature produced by my friend Ginger. Let us know what you think. This week, in news from Dallas-Fort Worth, we have election results; the anniversary of the Allen Premium Outlets shooting; various events at Commissioners’ Court … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114493">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is a weekly feature produced by my friend Ginger. Let us know what you think.</em></p><p>This week, in news from Dallas-Fort Worth, we have election results; the anniversary of the Allen Premium Outlets shooting; various events at Commissioners’ Court in Tarrant County; the legal troubles of pro athletes in Dallas; Dallas City Manager issues; followups on some previous stories; Habsburg supporters meet in Plano; women’s soccer comes to Fair Park; book reviews by the DMN’s architecture critic; a heartwarming story about college kids helping shelter animals; and more.</p><p>This week’s post was brought to you by the music of the Decemberists, who we’re going to see next week at the Majestic.</p><p>We’ll start off with election news. The big Dallas bond proposal passed (<a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/04/dallas-125-billion-bond-package-for-city-upgrades-appears-to-have-voter-approval/">DMN</a> ; <a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/05/dallas-voters-approve-a-1-25-billion-bond/">D Magazine</a>; and <a href="https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city-life/bond-proposals-election-results/">CultureMap</a>, which is a bit sniffy about the ease of passage). A point of particular celebration is the arts package, which gets special notice in both <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-arts-spaces-to-receive-75-million-in-repairs-19304862">the Dallas Observer</a> and <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2024/05/05/art-advocates-celebrate-as-voters-appear-to-approve-752-million-for-cultural-facilities/">the DMN</a>. </p><p>But into every blithe approval in Dallas a little disapproval from the state government must fall. In this case, because Ken Paxton has to sign off on the loans for the bond, <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-bond-could-be-impacted-by-ken-paxton-bank-bans-19223821"> we have to find lenders who will comply with the state’s rules</a>, specifically, the state’s anti-ESG (environment, social and governance) laws. Since we have a smaller pool of lenders to work with, we’ll get less competitive terms. Bottom line: Dallas taxpayers will pay more in the long run to support Ken Paxton’s goals. You know what we have to do to solve this problem.</p><p><a href="https://franklinstrong.substack.com/p/what-a-difference-2-years-makes-recapping">Franklin Strong</a> has a good review of the statewide races for school boards. Locally, we had good results in Arlington, Denton, Frisco, and Midlothian; mixed or neutral results in Grapevine-Colleyville, Mansfield, and Mesquite; and the bad guys won in Keller ISD. I strongly suggest you click through and read Strong’s analysis if you’re interested in these school board races. And if you’re interested in politics in Texas, you should be, because this is where they’re road-testing candidates and tactics. Related to this, here’s <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/society/sex-ed-educate-us/">a Nation article about EducateUS</a>, a group founded to counter anti-sex-ed, book-banning groups like Moms for Liberty. This story doesn’t discuss Texas, but it’s about how we fight back against right-wing haters, which we have plenty of here.</p><p>We also had those Appraisal District elections. <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/first-dallas-county-property-tax-appraisal-board-members-elected-19303139"">The Dallas Observer has more information</a> about the DCAD races than I heard from any single source before the election, in this story about the victors. For the TCAD winners I had to check out <a href="https://fortworthreport.org/2024/05/04/tarrant-appraisal-district-board-election-offers-historic-first-for-county-voters/">the Fort Worth Report</a>; I didn’t see a story from the Star-Telegram about the victory. It’s unsurprising that all the Tim O’Hare candidates won in Tarrant County because <a href="https://fortworthreport.org/2024/05/02/new-political-action-committee-pours-70k-into-tarrant-appraisal-district-race/">a new political action committee dumped about $70k</a> into the three races. I strongly suggest you click through on that one if you’re interested in Fort Worth/Tarrant County politics, because the story gets into both where that money comes from and Tim O’Hare’s fingerprints on the race. It also makes the point that these positions, like school district trustee positions, are stepping stones to future political offices.</p><p>The best source for overall results in the Metroplex continues to be <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/election-results/">the DMN’s election page</a> and for Tarrant County/Fort Worth area news, <a href="https://fortworthreport.org/election-central/">the Fort Worth Report’s election page</a>. It gives me no pleasure to say that the Star-Telegram is falling down on its civic responsibility to report the results. It looks like they had a live page on election night but now they just refer you to the county’s web site.</p><p>Meanwhile, in case you thought we were done with elections, there are runoffs coming on May 28. The Texas Tribune has <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/09/katrina-pierson-trump-texas-house-justin-holland/">an analysis of what’s going on in the HD 33 (Rockwall) Republican primary runoff</a>. There’s not a lot out there about the Dallas County Sheriff runoff in the Democratic Party but I did find <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-county-sheriff-marian-brown-former-sheriff-lupe-valdez-debate-before-primary-runoff/">this story about a debate between Sheriff Brown and former Sheriff Valdez</a> that said a whole lot of nothing. And the big race outside of Dallas is of course Dade Phelan in Beaumont, where <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/07/outside-interests-pour-millions-of-dollars-into-gop-primary-featuring-texas-house-speaker/">the DMN is covering all the folks dumping money into that race</a>.</p><p>And there’s always November to look forward to both nationally and statewide. The Dallas Observer is telling us about <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/colin-allred-appeals-to-texans-through-bipartisanship-before-election-19325457">Colin Allred’s appeal to bipartisanship</a> as a way to get through to voters in November. On the presidential election front, both <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/07/texas-oil-gas-political-donations-august-pfluger/">the Texas Tribune</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/trump-oil-industry-campaign-money/">the Washington Post</a> have stories about Trump’s appeal to the oil industry and their donations to him and other Republican candidates. The WaPo story characterizes Trump’s pitch for $1 billion from oil executives as “remarkably blunt and transactional”.</p><p>And last, but definitely not least, you may or may not have heard about the AI shenanigans in the HD 21 (Dade Phelan) race, but a local state rep <a href="https://fortworthreport.org/2024/05/06/southlake-state-rep-leads-charge-to-craft-ai-policies-for-texas-agencies/">has been put in charge of the new House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies</a>. Click through to check out the fake mailer apparently “made with AI” that features Phelan hugging Nancy Pelosi. <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2024/05/02/political-cyberattacks-campaign-security-texas">Axios</a> has more, and like the folks at Axios, I’m not sure how much you can do with the kind of folks who will just plain lie by making fake photos or making lying robocalls. They’re going to break the law no matter what the law says.</p><p>In other news:</p><ul><li> This week saw the first anniversary of the mass shooting in Allen, where eight people were killed at the Allen Premium Outlets on May 6, 2023. There was <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/allen-paid-its-respects-to-those-killed-a-year-ago-19311438">a memorial service Monday night</a>. (See also: <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2024/05/06/allen-tx-mall-shooting-anniversary/">the DMN</a> and <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article288330925.html">the Star-Telegram</a> for more anniversary coverage.) The DMN also answers a question I often have about these tragedies: <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2024/05/06/donors-gave-more-than-37-million-after-allen-mall-shooting-where-did-the-money-go/">where does the money raised go?</a>. In this case people and charities have given $3.7 million to the survivors of the deceased, to the wounded, and to first responders and other bystanders for mental health care.</li><li> Not related at all: AG Ken Paxton <a href="https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-05-01/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-seeks-to-block-gun-show-loophole-closure-days-before-allen-mass-shooting-anniversary">is suing the Biden administration to stop the closure of the “gun show loophole”</a>. The shooter in Allen bought his weapons from a private dealer and didn’t have to undergo a background check because of the loophole.</li><li> Also not related: Here’s a DMN editorial on school shootings called <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2024/04/30/texas-cant-stop-school-shootings-just-by-hardening-buildings/">Texas can’t stop school shootings just by hardening buildings</a>. Their concern also applies to malls and anywhere else that people gather. The DMN is right to say, “We have to send our children out into the world, and we cannot enclose them in a protective bubble. We’ll continue to fail them as long as we focus on hardening schools while leaving untouched this country’s culture of violence and a gun-rights absolutism that enable each other in a nasty loop.”</a><li> As <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114334">our host has noted</a>, the Tarrant County DA is going back after Crystal Mason, whose conviction for illegal voting was recently overturned. He <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article288383615.html">briefed the Tarrant County commissioners</a> on his decision to continue the case. DA Sorrells, a Republican elected in 2023, is a part of Tim O’Hare’s election integrity unit. He’s quoted: “I want would be illegal voters to know that we’re watching … We’ll follow the law and we would prosecute illegal voting.”</li><li> While we’re talking about the Tarrant County Commissioners, <a href="https://fortworthreport.org/2024/05/07/supporters-of-county-judge-tim-ohare-commissioner-alisa-simmons-clash-at-commissioners-meeting/">here’s the next round of Tim O’Hare v Alisa Simmons</a> at a heated commissioners’ meeting that resulted in one speaker being removed from the room by deputies for speaking over time.</li><li> We don’t have to <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2024/05/07/no-north-texans-dont-need-to-be-worried-about-bird-flu-right-now-health-experts-says/">worry about bird flu in North Texas</a> yet, the experts say. If you’re interested in the science of the transmission of bird flu, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/HEALTH-BIRDFLU/lgpdndoyrpo/">this Reuters article with good graphics has you covered</a>. The gist: don’t hang out with infected birds and don’t drink raw (unpasteurized) milk.</li><li> You’ll be shocked to learn that the Department of Education found that <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article288425701.html">Southlake schools violated the civil rights of students</a> on the basis of race, gender and sexual orientation. This means things like calling Black students the n-word. No comment from the Superintendent or the board.</li><li> Hillcrest High School <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/05/02/hillcrest-high-working-with-holocaust-museum-after-antisemitism-complaint-disd-says/">is going to be working with the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum</a> to provide training about antisemitism after a Jewish student filed a federal human rights complaint. This time the kids were calling the student “dirty”, praising Hitler, and making swastika drawings.</a><li> At the beginning of the school year, FWISD pulled 118 books from its school libraries. Now that we’re at the end of the year, <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article288422173.html">they’ve announced they’re bringing back 90</a>, or just over three-quarters. Too late for this year’s students but at least next year’s students will probably get to read Sherman Alexie, Kurt Vonnegut, Toni Morrison, and Margaret Atwood, among others.</li><li> You may remember the Sherman ISD superintendent who got in trouble last year for gender-policing a production of the musical Oklahoma! and had been suspended since early March. This story has come to the expected conclusion: <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2024/05/01/is-sherman-superintendent-out-after-oklahoma-fallout-trustees-to-consider-separation/">the board approved a voluntary separation agreement with the superintendent</a>. It wasn’t just his handling of Oklahoma!, which seems to have been merely the last and best-publicized straw in a difficult tenure.</li><li> Changes at City Hall in Dallas: <a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/05/less-than-a-week-in-dallas-interim-city-manager-makes-changes-at-city-hall/">Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has already shaken up the city’s org chart</a>, making one interim director permanent and hiring another. She’s going to have another job, maybe two, to fill in the near future now that <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/10/dallas-assistant-city-manager-robert-perez-to-become-topekas-city-manager/">Assistant City Manager Robert Perez is moving to Topeka</a> and his colleague Majed Al-Ghafry is on the short list for city manager in De Soto. We may also be about to lose our police chief because the city charter <a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/05/can-dallas-keep-austin-and-houston-from-prying-away-its-police-chief/">doesn’t allow the city of Dallas to make a contract with the chief</a> so he’s at-will. (The city charter changes on the ballot in November don’t address this concern.) There’s also a survey about <a href="https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/city-life/city-manager-survey-broadnax/">what Dallasites want in the next City Manager</a> that I haven’t looked at yet but plan to read and take. And, just for grins, here’s the DMN’s Sharon Grigsby on Johnson v Broadnax: <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2024/04/30/dallas-mayor-eric-johnson-we-see-your-charade-of-a-fond-farewell-for-the-city-manager/">Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, I see your charade of a fond farewell for the city manager</a>. I don’t agree with everything she has to say, but also, don’t piss on my boot and tell me it’s raining, Mayor.</li><li> You may remember from two weeks ago that Tarrant County had two more deaths in its jail. Here’s the latest, which is <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article288440625.html">Republican commissioner Manny Ramirez wants more transparency from the Sheriff’s office</a> but unlike the family of one of the deceased, who died after being pepper-sprayed, he’s not calling for the release of video from the incident. The Star-Telegram also has <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article288433233.html ">a reality check</a> on whether releasing the video would compromise the investigation into the death, which boils down to the ACLU says no and the CEO of a “research, training and consulting firm that focuses on police use of force” says it might. They report, you decide.</li><li> Also on the subject of county jails, you may remember that two weeks ago, we discussed a case where Dallas County kept a prisoner too long and had to settle for $100k. This week there’s another story <a href="https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-05-08/dallas-county-paid-160-000-to-two-men-kept-in-jail-long-after-they-served-their-time">about that case and another one</a> with another five-figure settlement. The DMN has an editorial on this titled <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2024/05/05/dallas-county-jail-population-is-swelling-and-its-for-the-dumbest-reason/">Dallas County Jail population is swelling and it’s for the dumbest reason</a>. They’re not wrong. Sheriff Brown and County Judge Jenkins need to get this fixed.</li><li> A second follow-up on old news: <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/26/frederick-frazier-charges-dismissed-impersonating-public-servant-texas/">State Rep Frederick Frazier (HD 61) served his deferred adjudication for impersonating a public servant</a> to remove some of his opponent’s campaign signs back in 2022. The charges have now been dismissed and Frazier is no longer under supervision. I can’t help but compare the outcome of this case to Crystal Mason’s.</li><li> Another matter we’re revisiting this week is the matter of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. This time <a href="https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/rashee-rice-under-investigation-alleged-nightclub-assault-dallas-police-say/287-a8798eda-31c0-4e44-94ba-c96e8067163e">he allegedly lured a photographer to a restaurant in the Harwood district and assaulted him</a>. Again, this case is notable because Royce West is Rice’s lawyer. Similarly, I’d like to note that another football-related criminal case has come to an end <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/cowboys/2024/05/02/dallas-police-wont-charge-cowboys-qb-dak-prescott-in-sexual-assault-case/">now that DPD has found insufficient evidence to prosecute Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott</a> in a 2017 sexual assault case.</li><li> In some good sports news, Dallas <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/05/08/dallas-approves-deal-to-bring-new-womens-pro-soccer-team-to-cotton-bowl-stadium/">is getting a new women’s pro soccer team that will play at the Cotton Bowl</a>. <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2024/05/09/new-dallas-womens-soccer-team-unveils-name-logo-ahead-of-cotton-bowl-stadium-debut/">Dallas Trinity FC of the USL Super League will start playing in mid-August</a> and while I am interested, I would like to wait for cooler weather to sit in the bleachers, thanks. Taxpayers are on the hook for $592k over two years.</li><li> Related: Is the CEO of Fair Park in or out? <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2024/05/05/decision-reversed-fair-park-ceo-put-on-45-day-paid-leave-as-board-evaluates-performance/">It looks like he’s on paid leave for 45 days while the board evaluates his performance</a> right now, so we’ll see.</li><li> Not related, but interesting: <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2024/04/29/how-did-dallas-get-wnbas-wings-to-move-downtown/">How did Dallas get WNBA’s Wings to move downtown?</a>. The DMN has the scoop.</li><li> I was going to report on <a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/05/a-seeming-end-for-now-to-the-seemingly-unending-saga-of-one-open-records-request/">this D Magazine saga of an open records request</a> originally made in November 2022, but before I got to show y’all the history in the first article about it, DPD decided to hand over the records. Funny that.</li><li> The Boy Scouts of America are no more. The Irving-based group is rebranding as Scouting America and <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/2024/05/09/irving-based-boy-scouts-of-america-is-renaming-itself-scouting-america-heres-a-q-and-a/">the DMN has a Q&A</a> that touches on the reasons behind the rename, the history of sexual abuse in scouting, and the tetchy relationship with the Girl Scouts.</li><li> I haven’t had a lot to add to Six Degrees of Clarence Thomas in a while, but I haven’t forgotten it. Neither has the Pulitzer Prize Board, which <a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/propublica-work-joshua-kaplan-justin-elliott-brett-murphy-alex-mierjeski-and-kirsten-berg">awarded the Pulitzer for Public Service to the ProPublica team that broke the story</a>. Congratulations!</li><li> In local environmental news, it’s cheers for Floral Farms, the former home of Shingle Mountain, where they <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/environment/2024/05/02/floral-farms-residents-celebrate-step-toward-recovery-from-environmental-hazard/">are getting zoning changes to protect the neighborhood from industrial pollution</a>. But it’s jeers for Denton, <a href="https://www.keranews.org/health-wellness/2024-05-01/what-to-know-denton-starts-inspecting-14-000-water-lines-for-lead-copper-contamination">where 14,000 water lines need inspection for lead and copper contamination</a>.</li><li> Also jeers to whoever is responsible for the mess that is the new Development Services Department’s offices, which failed a city inspection <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-botched-renovations-of-its-new-permitting-office-19253415">as reported in the Dallas Observer</a>.</li><li> D Magazine has a piece on <a href="https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2024/05/in-dallas-even-the-sidewalks-are-for-sale/">the new advertising kiosks the city wants to put in</a> on Dallas sidewalks. One of the OG kiosks is on a sidewalk near my home; it makes it hard to walk there (it’s on a walking route my spouse and I take). We’ll be glad to see the back of it in 2026. The new ones don’t sound as bad but they don’t sound good either. Nobody seems to like the idea of having more kiosks; <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2024/04/29/digital-kiosks-would-create-obstacles-for-a-walkable-dallas/">here’s a DMN op-ed</a> from a bunch of movers and shakers in Uptown, Downtown, and the Arts District who don’t like the idea either. We’ll see whether the city decides to go ahead anyway.</li><li> The crime is what’s legal: the Star-Telegram has <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/article287946120.html">this piece on the developer who gave $35k in donations to Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and another Republican commissioner</a> a few months before they voted for a $200 million project he was developing. The story details a lot of dodgy dealings by the developer in question in other parts of the Metroplex that should have put up some red flags. As usual, the only way to stop O’Hare and his cronies is to vote them out.</li><li> When I opened up <a href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/rogue-police-training-group-instructs-lewisville-collin-county-police-19207313">this article about police training in Lewisville and Collin County while writing this post</a>, I was pleased to see an update that the city and county were no longer going to be working with Street Cop Training. The original article sure makes their training sound both illegal and bait for lawsuits from citizens whose rights were violated. Kudos to the Dallas Observer for exposing the training so that it was canceled.</li><li> I thought this piece <a href="https://thebaffler.com/latest/feeling-blessed-hooks">on a Habsburg gathering in Plano</a> was going to be funny, and it was, but it was also disturbing. Apparently there’s a full on Carlist counterrevolutionary group based in Irving; they’re pre-fascist Catholic authoritarians who think France and Spain should still be governed by Bourbon/Habsburg monarchs. Texas is of interest because it’s part of Spain’s patrimony. If you’re interested in reading up on these guys, you can find out more on <a href="https://caminorealdetejas.com/About-Us/">their website</a>, but it may be enough to tell you that the most prominent Habsburg is working for Viktor Orbán.</li><li> In happier historical news, Opal Lee <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/biden-opal-lee-presidential-medal-of-freedom-ceremony-grandmother-of-juneteenth/">received the Presidential Medal of Freedom</a> for her efforts in establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. Congratulations!</li><li> The DMN’s architecture critic Mark Lamster has two reviews for books I now want to read. One is <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/architecture/2024/04/25/new-book-argues-for-removal-of-i-345-in-dallas/">City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America’s Highways, by Megan Kimble</a>, which argues for getting rid of the I-345 spur. The other is <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/architecture/2024/05/06/these-10-buildings-define-texas-architecture/">Home, Heat, Money, God: Texas and Modern Architecture, by Kathryn E. O’Rourke with photography by Ben Koush</a>. The buildings Lamster shows in his review only make me want to see more.</li><li> Here’s a story about <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article288027780.html">old time crime in Fort Worth</a>: spooning and mashing, which would get you fined or tossed into jail a hundred years and change ago.</li><li> And I have no zoo babies for you, but I do have a heartwarming story about <a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2024/05/07/dallas-animal-services-gets-help-with-overcrowding-thanks-to-smu-students-fostering-pets/">SMU students who are helping with overcrowding at Dallas Animal Services by fostering animals</a>. Also, I am telling myself we do not need another kitten after looking at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dallasanimalservices/?hl=en">Animal Services’ Instagram</a>.</li></ul>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114493</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>More on the Finner departure</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114461</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114461#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 10:01:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Crime and Punishment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Art Acevedo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[FBI]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston City Council]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HPD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Whitmire]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Larry Satterwaite]]></category> <category><![CDATA[police]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sylvester Turner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas Rangers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Troy Finner]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114461</guid> <description><![CDATA[That email was the final straw. After months of controversy surrounding the Houston Police Department’s practice of suspending cases due to short staffing, the revelation Tuesday that Chief Troy Finner was on an email discussing one such case in 2018 … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114461">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>That email was <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/police-dropped-cases-whitmire-finner-19446239.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">the final straw</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hpdcareer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1259911913162575873/Ld1X1dz7_400x400.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>After months of controversy surrounding the Houston Police Department’s practice of <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/houston-police-drop-cases-lack-personnel-know-18707851.php">suspending cases due to short staffing</a>, the revelation Tuesday that Chief <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/troy-finner-2018-email-dropped-cases-retirement-19445998.php">Troy Finner</a> was on an email discussing one such case in 2018 was the “<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/finner-suspended-cases-hpd-investigation-ending-19351481.php">final straw</a>”, Mayor John Whitmire said.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Whitmire said the most important factor in the shakeup was the effect the ongoing controversy has had on rank-and-file officers. </p><p>“It had become… disruptive to the department,” Whitmire said. “I talked to many officers at every level of the department; this had become the dominant focus of so much of HPD’s staff.”</p><p>During Wednesday’s City Council discussions about efforts to combat hot spots of criminal activities, Whitmire said HPD’s investigation into suspended cases, which the email concerning Finner has recently complicated, continues to get in the way of the department focusing on its main duty – fighting crime.</p><p>“Part of the consideration is that the current investigation and suspended cases had become such a distraction that I was convinced that the department had lost some of its focus to address hot spots and response time,” Whitmire said.</p><p>The department announced last week that it had finished the internal investigation and would release its findings soon. </p><p>However, a new letter involving Executive Assistant Chief Chandra Hatcher forced the department to reopen the investigation last week, Whitmire said. KPRC reported that Hatcher, a member of Finner’s inner circle, initially requested the department launch its investigation, citing information from a command meeting she said she attended in 2021. Documents obtained by the station <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2024/02/27/timeline-houston-police-departments-mishandling-of-sexual-assault-cases/">raised doubt that Hatcher</a> was at that meeting.</p><p>Whitmire said the Hatcher letter and the Finner email, taken together, created major setbacks for the department that eventually led to Finner’s retirement.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114450">here</a> for the background. I haven’t followed every in and out of this story so I’m not familiar with the Assistant Chief Hatcher situation. I said in the previous entry that I didn’t think the email revelation needed to be “I think it’s time you leave” moment, but it’s perfectly reasonable that it was, especially in conjunction with that. I care more about what the Mayor’s committee learns about this whole thing, and I care even more about better oversight of HPD, including better metrics on their clearance rates. If we don’t get that out of all this, then we’ve wasted our time.</p><p>Meanwhile, the <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/troy-finner-retire-houston-police-whitmire-scandal-19446235.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron editorial board</a> has a few parting words.</p><blockquote><p>Finner’s failure to [build trust within the community] muddies his otherwise strong legacy and has now brought an early end to his 34-year HPD career. For a time, it looked as though Finner, who was widely liked and respected among leaders and rank and file alike, might survive the Houston Police Department’s mushrooming scandal involving homicides, rapes and other cases that went uninvestigated for years. </p><p>[…]</p><p>When Mayor Sylvester Turner tapped Finner to take over for Acevedo, he already had inherited a department under the microscope for strained police-community relations. There was the botched, no-knock drug raid stemming from a fake 911 call in 2019 that ended with residents Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle dead and a rogue police officer charged with murder. Then there was the murder of George Floyd — a former Houston resident — at the hands of police officers in Minnesota, that compounded the calls for police reform. </p><p>Finner was tasked with accomplishing what Acevedo failed to do — not just talking a good game on improving police accountability, but actually implementing significant changes. Finner, a native Houstonian who rose up through the ranks, known for his authenticity and straight-forward approach, seemed to be the perfect pick. When he took over, Turner’s handpicked Task Force on Policing Reform had issued 104 proposals for improving transparency and police oversight. By last year, <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/hpd-houston-police-reform-john-whitmire-task-force-george-floyd/">90% of the recommendations had been implemented</a>, including releasing officers’ body-camera footage within 30 days of a police shooting, which Acevedo notably declined to do. </p><p>Once the public became aware of the spike in crime across the nation during the pandemic, attention shifted to making Houston safer. On that front, Finner implemented a data-based approach to target parts of the city rife with violence and drugs and pushed Turner to earmark additional funds for overtime pay and new officers.</p><p>Those strategies appeared to pay off with a sharp decline in homicides and violent crime. With Finner’s retirement, Houston has lost a dedicated public servant with a strong record on reducing crime and we wish his time as chief did not have to end this way. Yet Finner acknowledged the thousands of suspended cases have raised serious questions about HPD’s clearance rates. Even <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/hpd-dropped-cases-crime-statistics-personnel-19420524.php">criminologists and crime data experts say</a> it may take months or years to ascertain whether HPD’s statistics are trustworthy. </p><p>With so many lingering questions, Finner stepping down was the right call. There are simply too many inconsistencies about his own involvement in the scandal for him to continue to be the face of the department. Even if Finner simply got his dates mixed up on when he first discovered the “lack of personnel” classification or simply focused on when he knew of its widespread use, it is still unclear why his raising the alarm didn’t stop that practice immediately. The <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/houston-police-scandal-chief-reach-19444643.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral#thisisunacceptable_1715188312921">Chronicle’s own investigation</a> makes clear that, even after Finner’s verbal directive, investigators started applying the code even more than they had previously. It’s unclear whether this code was being used because of managerial incompetence or laziness. And it’s still unclear how many new crimes were committed because of old cases that could’ve been resolved if they hadn’t been shelved.</p><p>We still believe all of these open questions warrant an investigation from an outside agency such as the Texas Rangers or FBI. Removing Finner doesn’t resolve the need for Whitmire to push for it.</p></blockquote><p>I don’t know how much we could trust an investigation by any agency <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/abbott-houston-police-cases-18753518.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">under Greg Abbott’s thumb</a>, but letting the FBI in for a look around would be fine. Whatever the case, good luck to interim Chief Satterwaite and whoever Mayor Whitmire picks as the permanent person. You’re going to need it.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114461</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Feds investigating Katy ISD</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114459</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114459#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 09:53:06 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[School days]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gay rights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Katy ISD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Students Engaged in Advancing Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Title IX]]></category> <category><![CDATA[transgender rights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[US Department of Education]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114459</guid> <description><![CDATA[Good. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation Monday into Katy Independent School District to determine if its controversial gender identity policy discriminates against students, according to records obtained by the Houston Landing. The investigation … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114459">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonlanding.org/exclusive-federal-officials-investigating-whether-katy-isds-gender-policy-is-discriminatory/">Good</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/katyisd"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1450643039/KatyISD_400x400.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation Monday into Katy Independent School District to determine if its controversial <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/katy-isd-gender-identity-bathroom-policy-texas/">gender identity policy</a> discriminates against students, according to records obtained by the Houston Landing.</p><p>The investigation comes after the <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/under-katy-isd-gender-policy-student-identities-disclosed-to-parents-19-times-since-august/">Landing reported in November 2023</a> that Katy ISD <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/under-katy-isd-gender-policy-student-identities-disclosed-to-parents-19-times-since-august/">revealed the gender identities of 19 students</a> to their parents in the two months after the policy passed. Several weeks later, student advocacy organization <a href="https://www.studentsengaged.org/home">Students Engaged in Advancing Texas</a> used the report’s findings in a federal Title IX complaint alleging Katy ISD discriminated against these students on the basis of sex.</p><p>Katy’s conservative-majority school board was one of the first in greater Houston to pass a policy that requires staff to disclose students’ gender identity to parents and allow employees to reject students’ requests to use different pronouns, among other protocols. </p><p>Trustees <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/katy-isd-gender-identity-bathroom-policy-texas/">narrowly passed the policy</a>, 4-3, in August 2023 during a heated seven-hour meeting where nearly 100 community members pleaded with the board to reject it. </p><p>The Office for Civil Rights, or OCR, enforces federal Title IX law, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally-funded education programs or activities. The OCR has informed Katy ISD and requested information and documentation for the investigation, records show.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=111243">here</a> and <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=112669">here</a> for some background, and <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/this-school-district-has-failed-him-trans-katy-teen-drops-out-after-gender-policy-passes/">here</a> for the story of a now-former Katy ISD student who was adversely affected by this policy. As the <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/08/katy-isd-lgbtq-policy-investigation/">Trib</a> notes, Katy ISD is not the first Texas school district to be subject to a federal investigation of this kind, but it’s still pretty rare. Also good to know that the complaint process can get results. I have no idea how long this may take, but as the story notes the goal is to get Katy ISD back into compliance with federal regulations. That could happen quickly if they choose to reverse their existing policy, but if they don’t then it could go on for months. I hope they choose to comply, but I’m not counting on it. As with so many other things, it’s going to take winning some elections there for some real change to happen. The <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/katy/article/katy-isd-department-education-transgender-lawsuit-19446508.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron</a> has more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114459</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>ERCOT and the AI demand boom</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114220</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114220#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 09:45:05 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Technology, science, and math]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The great state of Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[artificial intelligence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[climate change]]></category> <category><![CDATA[coal]]></category> <category><![CDATA[cryptomining]]></category> <category><![CDATA[data centers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ERCOT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[International Energy Agency]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jennifer Granholm]]></category> <category><![CDATA[natural gas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[renewable energy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[wind energy]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114220</guid> <description><![CDATA[Once again we ask, can our grid keep up? The rapid expansion of data centers, fueled by the rise of artificial intelligence platforms and the increasing digitization of the economy, is driving a surge in electricity demand in Texas and … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114220">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Once again we ask, <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/ai-data-centers-power-demand-19393986.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">can our grid keep up</a>?</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/ERCOT_ISO"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GNGfkvbXoAAoDvU?format=jpg&name=medium" width="300" height="157" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>The rapid expansion of data centers, fueled by the <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/electric-power/101623-power-of-ai-wild-predictions-of-power-demand-from-ai-put-industry-on-edge">rise of artificial intelligence platforms</a> and the increasing digitization of the economy, is driving a surge in <a href="https://www.datacentermap.com/usa/texas/">electricity demand in Texas</a> and across the country that could soon be pushing the limits of what power grids can handle.</p><p>Grid operators such as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are rushing to adjust their demand forecasts amid <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/investing-in-the-rising-data-center-economy">projections by consulting firm McKinsey</a> and the International Energy Agency that power load for data centers, which already consume 4% of the power on the U.S. grid, will double by the end of the decade.</p><p>In a recent podcast interview, <a href="https://www.douglewin.com/p/the-name-of-the-game-is-flexibility">ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas</a> said the rapid speed at which data centers such as the <a href="https://datacenters.atmeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Texas-Temple.pdf">$800 million facility Meta is building in Temple</a> were coming online was “unheard of in terms of grid planning time scales.”</p><p>“Historically, you’ve always been able to have years to contemplate a massive manufacturing facility coming online,” he said on the Energy Capital podcast. “Now we’re seeing 500- and 700-megawatt data centers being built in a year.”</p><p><a href="https://www.ercot.com/files/docs/2024/04/08/2024_RTP_Load_Review_Update_April_2024_RPG.pdf">ERCOT reported earlier this month that peak power loads</a> on its system would rise 6% by 2030 to 94.3 gigawatts — with the caveat there was an additional 62 gigawatts of additional load asking to connect to the grid. It didn’t detail where those load requests were coming from, and ERCOT declined to make officials available for this story.</p><p>But Doug Lewin, an energy consultant in Austin, said data centers, along with new manufacturing facilities such as the semiconductor plants being built around Austin, crypto currency mining operations and growth in oil production in West Texas, were responsible for much of the new load requests.</p><p>“Some of (the 62 gigawatts) will come, some of it won’t,” he said. “But even if it’s just one third of that, in five to six years time that’s shocking.”</p><p>Those same conversations are happening in power grids across the country, as Google, Amazon, Microsoft and other tech giants race to build out computing infrastructure to accommodate not only new artificial intelligence applications but a society that is increasingly dependent on cloud computing systems.</p><p>Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/biden-energy-ai-nuclear-power">earlier this month called rising power demand</a> from AI and data centers a “problem” and said in an interview with Axios that conversations with tech companies needed to “accelerate, because this demand for power is only going up.”</p></blockquote><p>I personally would seek to prioritize just about anything ahead of cryptomining, but that’s not our reality. To be sure, AI and the data centers being built to support it are creating demand that outstrips supply nationwide, as this <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/what-next-tbd/2024/04/americas-electrical-problem">recent episode of What Next TBD</a> discussed. Texas is probably better positioned than many states to keep up because we have a lot of solar and wind capacity that we can bring online in the near future. The problem is that in many places the heightened demand for power is causing a resurgence in coal and gas plants, which is exactly what we don’t need as we try to stave off the worst effects of climate change. It’s a tough problem but we need to find a way forward.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114220</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>HPD Chief Finner retires</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114450</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114450#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 10:01:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Crime and Punishment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston City Council]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HPD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Whitmire]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Larry Satterwaite]]></category> <category><![CDATA[police]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Troy Finner]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114450</guid> <description><![CDATA[This came suddenly. Troy Finner has stepped down as chief of the Houston Police Department, Mayor John Whitmire announced in a late-night, four-paragraph email to city employees Tuesday. “I have accepted the retirement of Troy Finner as Chief of Police, … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114450">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/hpd-chief-troy-finner-retirement-whitmire-email-19445507.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">This came suddenly</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hpdcareer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1259911913162575873/Ld1X1dz7_400x400.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>Troy Finner has stepped down as chief of the Houston Police Department, Mayor John Whitmire announced in a late-night, four-paragraph email to city employees Tuesday.</p><p>“I have accepted the retirement of Troy Finner as Chief of Police, and have appointed Larry Satterwhite acting Chief of Police effective 10:31 p.m. tonight,” Whitmire wrote. “This decision comes with full confidence in acting Chief Satterwhite’s abilities to lead and uphold the high standards of the department.”</p><p>Finner’s sudden retirement comes amid the monthslong internal police investigation into the department’s use of a internal code — “SL” — to mark criminal cases and incident reports as suspended due to a lack of personnel.</p><p>Finner announced the investigation into the internal code in February and has delivered periodic updates on the investigation and reviews of the suspended cases as it progressed. Last week, <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/houston-police-dropped-cases-investigation-done-19431713.php">Finner announced that the internal investigation had concluded</a>, but the police department had yet to release any information on its findings.</p><p>Similarly, an independent investigative group organized by Whitmire to conduct its own review of the police department has yet to make any disclosures about its findings.</p><p>On Tuesday, <a href="https://abc13.com/post/hpd-chief-troy-finner-houston-police-department-suspended-lack-of-staff-cases-not-investigated/14780167/">multiple Houston TV stations reported a new development</a> in the scandal: an email written by Finner in 2018 referring to the suspended case issue. Finner had previously said that he first became aware of the code in 2021.</p><p>In a <a href="https://twitter.com/houstonpolice/status/1787981448965738832">statement posted by the department on X</a> at 6:02 p.m., Finner said he didn’t remember sending the older email and appeared to dismiss its significance.</p></blockquote><p>The <a href="https://abc13.com/post/hpd-chief-troy-finner-houston-police-department-suspended-lack-of-staff-cases-not-investigated/14780167/">linked article</a> on the “new development” shows one email about the “SL” code, to which Finner replies that it’s unacceptable and the emailer should look into it. There may be more than this, but this by itself doesn’t strike me as anything earth-shaking. It’s one email, not a long chain, and Finner directed someone else to take action, he didn’t promise any action on his part. If the issue here is that he said he first heard of this in 2021 and this is a contradiction of that, I can understand why he might have forgotten about it. But again, there may be more than just this, so I’ll hold off on further comment for now.</p><p>Now-former Chief Finner still has <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/houston-city-council-finner-reaction-19446071.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">a lot of support on Council</a>, which perhaps puts a little pressure on his interim and future successors. I don’t have a strong opinion on Finner other than to note that he was a definite improvement on Art Acevedo. I still want to see what that internal report says and what the <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113792">Mayoral committee</a> finds. I hope Finner isn’t getting out ahead of some other show dropping, and (modulo that) I wish him well in whatever comes next. <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/houston-police-chief-troy-finner-to-resign-amid-suspended-cases-scandal/">Houston Landing</a> has more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114450</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>6</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>All but one of the Astroworld wrongful death lawsuits have been settled</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114457</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114457#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 09:55:11 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Legal matters]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Astroworld]]></category> <category><![CDATA[First Court of Appeals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County Sports & Convention Corp]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HFD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HPD]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Larry Satterwaite]]></category> <category><![CDATA[lawsuit]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Live Nation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Reliant Stadium]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Travis Scott]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114457</guid> <description><![CDATA[A big day in court yesterday. Nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits filed after a deadly crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld music festival have been settled, including one that was set to go to trial this week, an … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114457">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.tpr.org/news/2024-05-08/9-of-10-wrongful-death-lawsuits-over-astroworld-concert-crowd-surge-have-been-settled-lawyer-says">A big day in court yesterday</a>.</p><blockquote><p>Nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits filed after a deadly crowd surge at the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/astroworld-festival-deaths-travis-scott-entertainment-houston-music-5628f631f335ea5d182852ba0116d2cc">2021 Astroworld music festival</a> have been settled, including one that was set to go to trial this week, an attorney said Wednesday.</p><p>Jury selection had been set to begin Tuesday in the wrongful death suit filed by the family of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-scott-entertainment-sports-science-dance-48f62331950fff34787741f169614ccc">Madison Dubiski</a>, a 23-year-old Houston resident who was one of 10 people killed during the crowd crush at the Nov. 5, 2021, concert by rap superstar <a href="https://apnews.com/article/astroworld-travis-scott-festival-deaths-lawsuits-deposition-49ef2af5f436bdd4bb4853ac6631710f">Travis Scott</a>.</p><p>But Neal Manne, an attorney for Live Nation, the festival’s promoter and one of those being sued along with Scott, said during a court hearing Wednesday that only one wrongful death lawsuit remained pending and the other nine have been settled, including the one filed by Dubiski’s family.</p><p>Noah Wexler, an attorney for Dubiski’s family, confirmed during the court hearing that their case “is resolved in its entirety.”</p><p>Terms of the settlements were confidential and attorneys declined to comment after the court hearing because of a gag order in the case.</p><p>The one wrongful death lawsuit that remains pending was filed by the family of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-scott-entertainment-dallas-music-music-festivals-32b4e4504ea0266861f006aee18ee830">9-year-old Ezra Blount</a>, the youngest person killed during the concert. Attorneys in the litigation were set to meet next week to discuss when the lawsuit filed by Blount’s family could be set for trial.</p><p>“This case is ready for trial,” Scott West, an attorney for Blount’s family, said in court.</p><p>But Manne said he and the lawyers for other defendants being sued were not ready.</p><p>State District Judge Kristen Hawkins said she planned to discuss the Blount case at next week’s hearing along with potential trials related to the injury cases filed after the deadly concert.</p><p>Hawkins said that if the Blount family’s lawsuit is not settled, she is inclined to schedule that as the next trial instead of an injury case.</p><p>[…]</p><p>At least four wrongful death lawsuits had previously been settled and announced in court records. But Wednesday was the first time that lawyers in the litigation had given an update that nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits had been resolved.</p></blockquote><p>See <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114396">here</a> for the previous update. I’m glad these cases have been resolved – it won’t surprise me if the last one gets settled as well – and I hope the settlement brings all of the families some peace. There are still <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=107696">a huge number of lawsuits</a> filed by people who were injured at the concert, including some with <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=103229">eye-watering damages claims</a>, though in the end I expect the vast majority of them to settle as well. Assuming the suit survives a motion to dismiss, it’s usually the prudent thing for all to do. <a href="https://houstonlanding.org/nine-of-10-astroworld-festival-wrongful-death-lawsuits-settled-on-eve-of-trial/">Houston Landing</a> and the <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/astroworld-festival-nine-lawsuit-settled-19446272.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">Chron</a> have more.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114457</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>We need to pay more attention to the I-10 construction proposals</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114401</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114401#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 09:50:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Planes, Trains, and Automobiles]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BRT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[construction]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Heights]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[HOV lanes]]></category> <category><![CDATA[I-10]]></category> <category><![CDATA[I-45]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Inner Katy line]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Metro]]></category> <category><![CDATA[No Higher No Wider I-10]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[TxDOT]]></category> <category><![CDATA[White Oak Bayou]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114401</guid> <description><![CDATA[By which I mostly mean I need to pay more attention to them, because they sound terrible. Between the shrill of large trucks barreling down Interstate 10 – when only the whoosh of cars dominates the din – Matt Tetlow … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114401">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By which I mostly mean I need to pay more attention to them, because <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/i10-txdot-metro-busway-no-higher-wider-19410203.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">they sound terrible</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://nohighernowideri10.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://nohighernowideri10.com/logo.jpeg" width="196" height="196" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>Between the shrill of large trucks barreling down Interstate 10 – when only the whoosh of cars dominates the din – Matt Tetlow tries to overcome the noise to talk about how Houston can avoid having the freeway cut into its center.</p><p>Tetlow and others are encouraging a redesign of the planned I-10 widening that limits the freeway to the space it now occupies and potentially tops it with open space or development.</p><p>“People are going through, clearly, but what about the people along it,” Tetlow said, standing in Cottage Grove Park, steps from the wall dividing the buried freeway from the neighborhood. “What we’re saying is this can be a lot more a part of the community, connect the community, if we put a cap on it.”</p><p>The proposal, which has the support of local civic clubs and some local elected officials, is among a handful of proposals related to <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/2024/houston-road-construction-projects/">planned work along I-10</a>, the region’s primary east-west road.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Among the planned projects:</p><ul><li>Elevating the <a href="https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings/houston/2023/i10-011624.html">freeway east of Heights Boulevard to Interstate 45</a> so it is less susceptible to flooding from White Oak Bayou.</li><li>Adding a <a href="https://www.ridemetro.org/about/metronext/metrorapid/metrorapid-inner-katy-corridor-project">dedicated elevated busway</a> south of the freeway along the frontage road to connect the Northwest Transit Center at North Post Oak to downtown Houston in order to speed up transit and commuter bus trips.</li><li>Extending the <a href="https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/houston/i10-inner-katy-voss-road-to-i45.html">Katy Managed Lanes along the freeway from Voss eastward to I-45</a> to connect carpools and toll-paying drivers faster to the central business district.</li></ul><p>In February, the Texas Department of Transportation presented two options for the managed lanes. One, which many attendees said would be ruinous for the area, adds two managed lanes in each direction level with the existing freeway and widens the state’s right of way. That option claims 52 homes and 30 businesses north of the freeway.</p><p>The second, and more palatable to many, option would add the managed lanes on an elevated roadway in the center of the freeway. That keeps the freeway in the same footprint, but poses noise, pollution and light concerns for the neighborhood.</p><p>In an email, TxDOT spokeswoman Kristina Hadley said public comments are still being compiled from the meetings, with officials planning more rounds of public meetings before the $682 million-plus project could proceed. Construction could take four years or more.</p><p>Late in design – by transportation planning timelines – Tetlow and others are amassing support for a rethink of some I-10 project redesigns that would incorporate covering the freeway from Memorial Park to Patterson, where it is already below city streets. The design, backers say, allows TxDOT to build most, if not all, of the capacity additions it is planning, but in what proponents call a better way.</p><p>“We’re not saying do not build it, but build it where it is already and give us something that is not higher or wider and divide the community,” said Joseph Panzarella, who along with Tetlow and others helped organize the No Higher No Wider I-10 plan.</p><p>The goal, the duo said, is to work with TxDOT to remake the freeway so it serves the needs of drivers and neighbors alike. The current plan, they and others argue, is tilted too much in favor of through-travel.</p><p>“When you hear someone from TxDOT say they want the freeway to be better, what is obvious is they mean better for commuters,” Tetlow said. “What we want is something that is also better for the community, and the cap design kind of delivers that.”</p><p>I-10 is already depressed below city streets from near Memorial Park, where it flows under Washington Avenue, to east of Patterson, where it elevates to span atop Yale Street and Heights Boulevard.</p><p>The No Higher plan challenges TxDOT to rebuild the freeway, frontage roads and whatever managed lanes possible in the existing space, without elevation, and provide a chance for the neighborhood to cap the freeway.</p><p>Capping the freeway gives the neighborhood, and by extension the city, space for everything from parks to trails to affordable housing, Tetlow said – all priorities for the area.</p></blockquote><p>I have <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106433">talked</a> <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=106844">about</a> <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113166">this</a> before, mostly the elevating the segment near I-45 portion of it. I learned about <a href="https://nohighernowideri10.com/">No Higher No Wider I-10</a> through this story, and I’m glad they exist. I hope they work with the Stop I-45 folks and take some lessons from their experiences. What they propose makes a lot of sense but is well outside what TxDOT normally does, and as we know TxDOT doesn’t like to do things it doesn’t normally do. The story also indicates later on that TxDOT has “not discussed the No Higher plan formally with anyone involved”, so there’s a lot of work to be done here. But these guys are quite right that what we all should want is a project that’s better for the whole community, not just the commuters. Getting to that point, that’s the tricky part. Go check out <a href="https://nohighernowideri10.com/">No Higher No Wider I-10</a> and see what you can do.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114401</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Texas blog roundup for the week of April 6</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114399</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114399#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2024 09:45:13 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog stuff]]></category> <category><![CDATA[blog roundup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[TPA]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114399</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates Sen.-elect Molly Cook as it brings you this week’s roundup. Off the Kuff looks at former Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s potential primary challenge in 2026 to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. SocraticGadfly has presidential campaign … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114399">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates Sen.-elect Molly Cook as it brings you this week’s roundup.</p><p><span id="more-114399"></span></p><p><a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/">Off the Kuff</a> looks at former Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114374">potential primary challenge in 2026</a> to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.</p><p><a href="https://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com">SocraticGadfly</a> has presidential campaign updates on <a href="https://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2024/05/presidential-politics-may-2-trump-says.html">Trump</a> and his Libertarian Party invite, <a href="https://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2024/05/presidential-politics-may-2-steins-semi.html">Stein</a> and an endorsement, and <a href="https://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2024/05/presidential-politics-may-2-biden-lies.html">Biden</a> and things Gazan.</p><p><a href="http://doscentavos.net/">Stace</a>, offers his <a href="https://doscentavos.net/2024/05/03/thoughts-on-viernes-05032024/">Thoughts on Viernes</a> regarding the politics of the first flood disaster of 2024 and his search for leaders who will defend student protesters.</p><p>Neil at the <a href="https://www.neilaquino.com">Houston Democracy Project</a> said Mayor Whitmire should <a href="https://www.neilaquino.com/houston-democracy-project-blog/whitmire-could-use-relationships-with-state-to-restore-hisd-wraparound-funds-33-billion-state-surplus">use his often-cited connections with State of Texas officials</a> to get the money to restore HISD wraparound services. </p><p>=====================</p><p>And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.</p><p><a href="https://theeyewall.com/hurricane-season-begins-in-a-month-so-whats-new-this-year/">The Eyewall</a> has a look at the new ways that hurricane data will be collected and presented this season.</p><p><a href="https://www.lawdork.com/p/texas-louisiana-title-ix-challenges">Law Dork</a> explains that of course Texas and Louisiana took their anti-LGBTQ+ Title IX challenges to their friendliest judges.</p><p><a href="https://stevevladeck.substack.com/p/78-writing-a-rule-for-the-ages?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1174827&post_id=144072661&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=110bi&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email">Steve Vladeck</a> dives into the Trump immunity argument before SCOTUS.</p><p><a href="https://inthepinktexas.substack.com/p/deep-fake-is-the-new-sick-burn">In the Pink Texas</a> shows us a real deepfake.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-history-alliance-tsha/">Observer</a> stands up for Texas history.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114399</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>April 2024 campaign finance reports – Senate and Congress</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114411</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114411#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 10:01:58 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Election 2024]]></category> <category><![CDATA[campaign finance reports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD03]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD06]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD07]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD15]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD18]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD24]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD32]]></category> <category><![CDATA[CD38]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Colin Allred]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Congress]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Democratic primary]]></category> <category><![CDATA[fundraising]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Love]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Julie Johnson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lizzie FLetcher]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Melissa McDonough]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Michelle Vallejo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pervez Agwan]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sam Eppler]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sandeep Srivastava]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Senate]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sheila Jackson Lee]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ted Cruz]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114411</guid> <description><![CDATA[With the primaries settled and there being no runoffs of interest for Senate and Congress, we can combine the two sets of reports into a single post. The January reports for Senate are here the October 2023 reports are here, … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114411">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/BagOfMoney.jpg" alt="" width="198" height="254" class="alignright size-full wp-image-48508" /></p><p>With the primaries settled and there being no runoffs of interest for Senate and Congress, we can combine the two sets of reports into a single post. The January reports for Senate are <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113272">here</a> the October 2023 reports are <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=111903">here</a>, the July 2023 reports <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=110711">here</a>, and the April 2023 reports<a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=109639">here</a>. The January reports for Congress are <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113277">here</a>, and the October 2023 reports are <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=111908">here</a>. The earlier reports had both Senate and Congress, as the fields were small enough then to do them together.</p><p><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S4TX00722/">Colin Allred</a> – Senate</p><p><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H2TX03274/">Sandeep Srivastava</a> – CD03<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4TX06224/">John Love</a> – CD06<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H8TX07140/">Lizzie Fletcher</a> – CD07<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4TX07081/">Pervez Agwan</a> – CD07<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H2TX15203/">Michelle Vallejo</a> – CD15<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4TX18054/">Sheila Jackson Lee</a> – CD18<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4TX18138/">Amanda Edwards</a> – CD18<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H2TX24197/">Sam Eppler</a> – CD24<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4TX32089/">Julie Johnson</a> – CD32<br /><a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4TX38011/">Melissa McDonough</a> – CD38</p><pre><span style="font-family: courier;">Dist Name Raised Spent Loans On Hand============================================================Sen Allred 27,910,142 17,436,707 0 10,473,435 03 Srivastava 294,485 234,696 543,233 63,38106 Love 57,668 52,895 0 5,42507 Fletcher 1,721,000 1,723,385 0 1,319,32207 Agwan 1,554,838 1,407,463 0 147,37515 Vallejo 920,341 473,699 100,000 458,35818 Jackson Lee 529,880 834,744 0 66,44618 Edwards 1,625,850 1,597,683 0 28,16724 Eppler 441,405 352,336 0 89,06932 Johnson 1,329,471 1,229,325 0 100,146 38 McDonough 105,177 100,803 90,395 6,154</span></pre><p>That Colin Allred sure is raising a lot of money, isn’t he? I approve. Keep up the good work. We’re going to need a lot of that money spent here.</p><p>Rep. Lizzie Fletcher spent something like $1.1 million in Q1 to defend her seat in the primary. Given the result, that was money well spent. Pervez Agwan had been spending his cash all along, and as such only dropped $400K in Q1. He was doing some “help me retire my debts” fundraising after the election, but I haven’t seen or heard anything from him since. I could write a much longer treatise about brash newcomers who make a lot of noise and spend a lot of money to win a seat somewhere and then vanish from view after they lose, but I’ll save that for another time.</p><p>Amanda Edwards also spent about a million bucks last quarter, while Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee spent about $600K, which I bet she wished she’d had a little earlier than that. I expect her to build her campaign treasury back up, though probably not that quickly. I doubt she draws a serious challenger in the near future anyway.</p><p>Sandeep Srivastava and Sam Eppler have both raised a decent amount of money, and have also spent it nearly as quickly. Both had primaries to win so to some extent that’s understandable, but I’d like to see them get a bit ahead of their burn rate. To whatever extent there are winnable seats for Dems, those two and CD15 are highest on the list. Michelle Vallejo has national backing so I’m not worried about her, but I’d sure like to see some more firepower for those two.</p><p>Not much else to say. I don’t think we’re falling back to 2012 levels of boringness for these reports, but we’re definitely in a more fallow period. Maybe things will pick up in Q2. Let me know what you think.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114411</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>The Mayor and the Land Commissioner are buds</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114443</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114443#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 09:53:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Local politics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dawn Buckingham]]></category> <category><![CDATA[flooding]]></category> <category><![CDATA[George P. Bush]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Harris County]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Houston]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Hurricane Harvey]]></category> <category><![CDATA[John Whitmire]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Land Commissioner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sylvester Turner]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114443</guid> <description><![CDATA[I have three things to say about this. On Mayor John Whitmire’s first day in office, he got a call from Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. Her message? “We want to work with the City of Houston,” Whitmire recounted at an … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114443">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have three things to say about <a href="https://houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/whitmire-buckingham-glo-hurricane-relief-19431393.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral">this</a>.</p><blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/TXGLO"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1515361120059539462/JIRokIIy_400x400.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-full" /></a></p><p>On Mayor John Whitmire’s first day in office, he got a call from Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham.</p><p>Her message? “We want to work with the City of Houston,” Whitmire recounted at an <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/hud-harvey-affordable-housing-program-19408815.php">April 17 council meeting</a>.</p><p>Whitmire shared the contents of the call at the start of Buckingham’s visit to City Hall – a trip largely framed as a relationship reset, and one the land commissioner was quick to note herself.</p><p>“It is wonderful to actually be invited here, as last time I tried outreach I was disinvited,” Buckingham told council members.</p><p>After years of verbal and legal battles between the former mayor and the former land commissioner, Whitmire and Buckingham seem poised to usher in a new era of cooperation between their new offices. As experts predict an <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-weather/article/texas-hurricane-outlook-2024-season-atlantic-19385121.php">active hurricane season</a> in the Gulf, the potential for better relations between the city and state agency could be well-timed. </p><p>Whenever disaster strikes in Texas – whether it be wildfire, winter storm or hurricane – it’s the state’s General Land Office that has primarily retained responsibility for divvying out the federal funds to cities and counties that apply for relief across the state. The agency is also in charge of making sure the cities and counties they grant funds to are spending it correctly.</p><p>But despite the rhetorical reset, Houston remains on the outs when it comes to the Hurricane Harvey funds. The city still is not set to see a single dollar from <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/GLO-awards-Harris-County-750-million-in-Harvey-17405491.php">$4.3 billion in federal funds</a> approved for flood mitigation after the 2017 storm.</p><p>Houston’s history with the GLO <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/houston-mayor-turner-puts-finishing-touches-legacy-18549343.php">has been rocky</a> since Harvey. After the storm, the GLO, then led by George P. Bush, was charged with distributing federal funds for home repair and flood mitigation. </p><p>Bush’s office, at the time, argued that Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration was mishandling the housing funds it had been given and determined not to provide the city with any funds for flood mitigation. The city argued the GLO made the process of applying for and receiving funds difficult and called the state agency an overbearing partner.</p><p>Since then, Buckingham has taken over the GLO office and Whitmire has taken over the mayor’s office. The two have a longstanding relationship as former colleagues who worked together in the Texas Senate, and the new mayor said that will only continue in the days to come.</p><p>“There will be strong collaboration with the GLO and our state partners,” Whitmire told the Chronicle.</p></blockquote><p>1. Mayor Whitmire ran on his strong connections with state government and how that would benefit Houston with him as Mayor. This is an example of that in practice and it is good to see. I hope we don’t need it this year, but we will certainly need it sooner or later.</p><p>2. That said, I don’t think it’s a lot to ask for one branch of government to cooperate with another as a matter of course and without having to depend on whether or not this person likes that person. What George P. Bush did as Land Commissioner to Houston (and Harris County) was despicable and shameless, done for his own failed political ambition, and has been actively harmful to Houston and its residents for almost seven years now. I’m glad that Dawn Buckingham and John Whitmire have a solid relationship. The city of Houston will indeed benefit from it. It should never have come to that, is what I’m saying. And by the way, Houston is still out a crap-ton of money that the GLO should have provided us. Let me know when you plan to make that right, Dawn.</p><p>3. Any plans to invite Judge Hidalgo to City Hall, Mr. Mayor? Sorry, not sorry.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=114443</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Our chief export these days is forced birth zealotry</title> <link>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113678</link> <comments>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113678#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Kuffner]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 09:45:45 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[The great state of Texas]]></category> <category><![CDATA[abortion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Clovis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Comstock Act]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mark Lee Dickson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mifepristone]]></category> <category><![CDATA[New Mexico]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SCOTUS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Texas]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113678</guid> <description><![CDATA[Maybe New Mexico should build a border wall. Abortion rights opponents in Texas dictated terms and pressured officials in New Mexico municipalities to pass ordinances restricting clinics, according to public records — potentially as part of a bigger legal strategy. … <a href="http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=113678">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">→</span></a>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Maybe New Mexico should <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/04/texas-new-mexico-abortion/">build a border wall</a>.</p><blockquote><p>Abortion rights opponents in Texas dictated terms and pressured officials in New Mexico municipalities to pass ordinances restricting clinics, according to public records — potentially as part of a bigger legal strategy.</p><p>Emails show former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell and Mark Lee Dickson, founder of the “Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn” initiative, succeeded in influencing local governments in rural parts of the state — despite warnings and hesitation from local officials.</p><p>In late 2022 and early 2023, the New Mexico cities of Clovis and Hobbs passed ordinances saying people have no right to violate the Comstock Act of 1873, a previously obscure federal statute that <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/anti-abortion-legal-strategy-revives-comstock-moral-purity-laws-late-1800s">bans</a> the mailing of abortion pills or abortion-related materials. They were later joined by Eunice and Edgewood, and Roosevelt and Lea Counties.</p><p>There are some variations among the six ordinances: Lea County’s ordinance specifies financial penalties for violations; the Roosevelt County and Edgewood ordinances allow a private citizen to sue and win monetary damages; and the Clovis, Hobbs and Eunice ordinances impose new licensing requirements on abortion clinics.</p><p>Emails obtained via public records requests show Mitchell and Dickson approaching local New Mexico governments to pitch versions of the ordinances.</p><p>A legal nonprofit called Democracy Forward brought the emails to light, and Source New Mexico independently verified the records through interviews with local officials and our own records requests.</p><p>The emails also show influence and control: Mitchell required any changes to the Clovis ordinance be approved by him, he was <a href="https://www.cityofeunice.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05222023-235">providing</a> free legal advice to Eunice about amending the ordinance, and Dickson directed the language of the Hobbs ordinance.</p><p>Hobbs Mayor Ed Cobb said in a phone interview that it’s “not unusual for us to be provided information,” adding that the city has taken input from outside attorneys on other ordinances in the past.</p><p>“That doesn’t necessarily mean that we copy and paste it, but it’s not prohibited,” Cobb said.</p><p>The ordinances now face a <a href="https://sourcenm.com/2023/12/14/n-m-supreme-court-hears-arguments-on-local-anti-abortion-ordinances/">challenge</a> at the New Mexico Supreme Court, because they throw up regulatory roadblocks for abortion clinics by barring them from having drugs for medication abortions shipped from other states through the mail. And a 2023 statute gives the state — not local governments — the final say on reproductive health care.</p><p>New Mexico’s Democratic Attorney General Raúl Torrez is prosecuting the case against the local governments. He’s asking the justices to nullify the ordinances, and to go even further by setting legal precedent to ensure abortion rights under the New Mexico Constitution.</p></blockquote><p>This was from a couple of weeks ago, so there may have been some updates, I haven’t looked. Mitchell is the attorney behind the mifepristone lawsuit, though that’s only one of his many forays into <a href="https://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?p=114414">forced birtherism</a>. If there’s a terrible lawsuit out there being pushed by wingnuts, he’s probably involved. Dickson is the guy behind the various abortion “sanctuary city” ordinances who is now also focused on “travel bans” in localities along the highways from Texas into New Mexico. Their explicit goal, as Mitchell says in this story, is to get a case about the Comstock Act before the Supreme Court, with the idea being that SCOTUS would declare that Comstock is the law of the land and that it fully bans all abortion-related activities, and probably lots more things as well. Obviously, they’re the life of any party.</p><p>That was part one of a two-part series. <a href="https://sourcenm.com/2024/03/05/experts-react-to-emails-showing-clovis-and-hobbs-officials-handing-over-their-lawmaking-authority/">Here’s part two</a>.</p><blockquote><p>Documents show the N.M. cities of Hobbs, Clovis, Eunice and Edgewood working with former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell and Mark Lee Dickson, founder of the “Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn” initiative.</p><p>The documents also include engagement letters for Lea and Roosevelt Counties from Mitchell after the New Mexico attorney general challenged the ordinances in court, but the letters are not signed by anyone at the counties. Still, both counties’ votes to pass the ordinances are listed on Dickson’s website, presented as examples of his movement’s reach.</p><p>The emails were initially requested under the state’s Inspection of Public Records Act by Democracy Forward, a legal nonprofit. Source NM independently verified the records through interviews with local officials and our own records requests with the local governments. </p><p>Records show Mitchell and Dickson pitching the measures, directing their language, overseeing changes, and in exchange for adopting them, offering to defend the local New Mexico governments in court for free.</p><p>In a phone interview on Monday afternoon, Dickson declined to say how he and Mitchell can afford to do this work pro bono, and declined to identify who, if anyone, is paying them for their time.</p><p>“The Lord takes care of all the behind the scenes,” he said, adding that there are a lot of people on board who understand these ordinances as a stepping stone to ending abortion in America. Among the volunteers, he highlighted the <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/anti-abortion-activists-fighting-to-change-election-law">Thomas More Society</a>, a Chicago-based anti-abortion rights law firm.</p><p>[…]</p><p>Two local legal experts said it’s highly unusual for someone from outside of New Mexico to come in and dictate the terms of a draft ordinance. In fact, it’s “never happened before,” said Frank Coppler, a Santa Fe-based lawyer who practices municipal law.</p><p>“It’s not just unusual. I’ve never heard of it before, and I believe I’ve kept track of this kind of municipal law for the last 50 years,” he said.</p><p>Coppler is one of a pool of several attorneys working on contract to represent Edgewood. He said he advised the town’s elected commissioners last year not to adopt Mitchell’s ordinance, but they didn’t follow his advice.</p><p>Municipal councils and commissions “can’t delegate their legislative power to somebody else. That notion is crazy,” he said. “Because they’re elected to be the legislators — not a lawyer from Texas, not a lawyer from New Mexico.”</p><p>Verónica Gonzales is an associate law professor at the University of New Mexico whose professional work often relies on interpreting language in local government charters and ordinances. </p><p>She agreed that legislative authority rests solely with commissions or councils, which aren’t required to seek input from anyone else necessarily. They can, of course, hire third-party attorneys to review something they’re working on, or run it past their city attorney. What’s strange in the case of Clovis, for example, is that this appears to have worked the other way around, according to the records, with Mitchell providing the first drafts and approving changes for commissioners along the way, she said.</p><p>“It signals to me, as a lawyer, that those individuals are really trying to exert pressure and influence in this community.”</p></blockquote><p>Pretty sure if the money is followed, it will take you to some even darker places. I am confident that the New Mexico Supreme Court will rule against these jokers. The real question is what SCOTUS will do. We ought to have a plan for that.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>http://www.offthekuff.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=113678</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> <!--Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. 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