Category Archives: Texas

Houston, Houston Politics, Politics, Texas

Actress Sally Field Steps Up To Support Proposition 1

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As Early Voting comes to a close, the fight for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance is intensifying on both sides.  For supporters of Proposition 1 this week, that means some serious star power.  After meeting with the Houston Unites campaign, Academy Award-winning Actress and long-time Equality advocate Sally Field used her celebrity platform to draw attention to this critical vote.

Here’s the story from Drew Karedes of KHOU 11 news…

HOUSTON – Sally Field says she is compelled to stand up to what she calls evil lies surrounding Houston Equal Right’s Ordinance.

The two-time Oscar winning actress says this is very personal to her because her mother and grandmother were both born here in Houston, and she’s the mother of a gay son.

However, the actress says this goes much deeper than that.

“Why here, why Houston, why me? Because everyone in this country is watching this. This is incredibly important. Eyes are on Houston. This is Texas,” Field said.

She’s a name big enough to grab plenty of attention. Field is hoping Houston voters will listen to her message and vote “Yes” on Proposition 1.

“There are 15 different categories of people it protects. I fit into many of those categories,” she said. “This is my country, this our fight to bring about equality as a right for everyone.”

Also in attendance were State Senator Sylvia Garcia, Council Member Ellen Cohen, and a host of prominent Houstonian women in support of the ordinance.

As to be expected, the celebrity star power in support of Proposition wasn’t welcome by everyone.  Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick wasn’t too pleased…

Spirited as they may be, Lt. Gov. Patrick’s tweets do come with a bit of irony.  As Texas’ second in command, he happens to reside in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas. You know… the same Austin, Texas that imposed its “radical agenda” of equality back in 2004.  One wonders if Patrick lives in a constant state of fear for all of his fellow female legislators and employees as they traverse the big, scary, non-discriminating halls of their offices.

But anyway…

Having voices like Sally Field step up in Support of HERO has so far had the desired effect.  Her name was trending on Twitter for most of yesterday in Houston, and helped to increase national awareness of the truth on Proposition 1.  Let’s hope Houstonians turn that attention into votes.

 

 

Sally Field

Houston, Houston Politics, Texas, Texas Politics, United States

Texas Leftist 2015 Endorsements

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Here’s the Full List of Endorsements for the 2015 Houston Municipal Elections.  The Hyperlinks take you to the full-length endorsement page.  For more information on the candidates, check out the Questionnaire Responses, and be sure to also visit Off the Kuff’s 2015 Elections Page.

 

Houston Mayor
Sylvester Turner

Houston City Controller
Chris Brown

Houston City Council
At-Large Races
Position 1: Tom McCasland
Position 2: David Robinson
Position 3: Doug Peterson
Position 4 Amanda Edwards
Position 5: Philippe Nassif

District Races
District A: Brenda Stardig
District B: Jerry Davis
District C: Ellen Cohen
District D: unopposed (Dwight Boykins)
District E: unopposed (Dave Martin)
District F: Richard Nguyen
District G: Greg Travis
District H: Roland Chavez
District I: Robert Gallegos
Distrcit J: Mike Laster
District K: unopposed (Larry Green)

City of Houston Proposition 1:  Y-E-S!!!!
City of Houston Proposition 2:  No endorsement

 

And just to say one more time…

Like Dallas, Austin, Ft. Worth, New Orleans, hundreds of other cities and 17 states across the county, all Houstonians deserve to live in a city that does not condone discrimination.  Please vote yes to uphold the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.  Don’t believe the lies!!

Early Voting runs now until October 30th, and Election Day is November 4th.

HUEfest Mural

Photo credit:  Gary Paul Smith from Flickr

 

Houston, Houston Politics, Texas

TLCQ 2015 Responses

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For information purposes only, here are all of the TLCQ 2015 Respondents.  Hopefully this will serve to increase the available information for Houstonians as we head into Early Voting next week.

Endorsements soon to follow.

Houston Mayor

 

Houston City Council

 

At Large Position 1

At Large Position 2

At Large Position 3

At Large Position 4

At Large Position 5

 

District B

District C

District G

District H

 

If you live in the city of Houston, this election matters.  Houston is a growing city that will face many challenges over the coming decades.  It is the next Mayor and City Council which will decide how we handle them.  Get informed, and V-O-T-E!!

 

 

(if you like this Texas Leftist post, please consider a donation!  Help us encourage Progressive, common sense ideals in the Lone Star State!!)

Houston, Texas

University of Houston To Host 2016 GOP Primary Debate

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Some big news coming from Houston, as the 2016 Presidential race will soon turn its eyes and ears to one of the Lone Star State’s rising educational stars.  Early next year, the University of Houston will play host to a 2016 Primary Debate for the Republican Party.  Here’s the scoop via UH press release…

The University of Houston has been selected by NBC News and Telemundo to host a Republican presidential candidates’ debate on the UH campus Feb. 26, 2016.

The debate, sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, is slated to be the final GOP debate before the crucial “Super Tuesday” primary contests in Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia on March 1. Alaska, Minnesota and Wyoming also will award delegates on that same day. All candidates who qualify are expected to participate in the debate, which will be presented in partnership with National Review.

“Diversity is more than our demographics at the University of Houston – it’s our commitment to expression, varied viewpoints, and the belief that challenging the status quo produces the strongest innovation,” said University of Houston System Chancellor and UH President Renu Khator. “This debate comes at a pivotal moment in the election cycle. We’re delighted to host a national conversation with real-life impact on our community and country, and welcome an evening of engaging discourse to our campus.”

The debate will be broadcast nationwide on the NBC News and Telemundo networks.

According to the American Presidency Project, UH’s announcement will mark only the 3rd time that a major Presidential or Vice Presidential Debate has been hosted in the state of Texas.  Houston’s Alley Theater played host to a 1976 Vice Presidential debate between Walter Mondale and Bob Dole, and UT Austin hosted candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in early 2008 Democratic Primary contest.  For a state as big and influential as Texas, this is quite the “get” for Khator and the University of Houston.

Earlier this year, other Texas sites were in the running to land a General Election debate, but those sites where given to other locations.

Houston, Texas

Houston Opens Buffalo Bayou Park to Rave Reviews

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Texas, meet your New “Riverwalk”.  

Last weekend against a backdrop of near perfect weather, the city of Houston cut the ribbon on a years-long project, and a dream come true for Mayor Annise Parker and many others in the city.  The newly-renovated Buffalo Bayou Park made its official debut to the world.  And if initial impressions hold up, it may be on its to becoming a world-class destination.

Here’s more on the big reveal from Leo Flores of the Memorial Examiner…

Buffalo Bayou Park is officially opened. After a $58 million renovation, the 160-acre and 2.3 mile green space that stretches along Buffalo Bayou features two pedestrian bridges, a picnic pavilion, one of the city’s largest dog parks, a skate park, and children’s play area.

The park was made possible through a public and private partnership led by Buffalo Bayou Partnership, The City of Houston Parks Department, Harris County Flood Control District and the Kinder Foundation.

[…]

“As Houston’s population grows, so will the desire for the quality of life amenities like parks and green spaces,” said Nancy Kinder, president of the Kinder Foundation.

“As a foundation, we saw an opportunity to work collaboratively to develop the urban jewel that is Buffalo Bayou Park, which will be enjoyed by individuals from all parts of the world.”

The park’s renovation project took just four years to complete, and was open throughout the construction. The vast improvements have taken the park from an empty grassy field to a vibrant green space where families can picnic, exercise, pontoon boat tours and even enjoy live entertainment.

The October 3rd grand opening was actually rescheduled from June 20th, due to the recent Memorial Day flood which heavily affected the park as it neared completion.  But even in that situation, designers were mostly impressed with how well the design coped with the event, and recovered in the weeks that followed.

Not only is the transfiguration gaining attention and envy from our in-state sibling cities, but it’s also garnering some national news coverage, especially from the architecture and design community.  

The 2.3 mile stretch represents the first phase in a series of projects, the next of which will focus on the downtown section of the bayou. If you haven’t been out to see the new Buffalo Bayou yet, be sure to do so in the coming days.  As of October 3rd’s grand opening, users can now rent bicycles, canoes and kayaks at various stations within the park.  Visit the Buffalo Bayou Partnership to learn about all the cool new amenities before you go.

 

Buff4

(photo credit:  Jazztour.ru)

 

 

Buff1

Buff2

Buff3

(photos credit:  Buffalo Bayou Partnership facebook)

HouBuff3

The new Buffalo Bayou Park visitors center is nearing completion, but now open for equipment rentals at Sabine St. and Allen Parkway.

HouBuff

It’s also a great place to catch some stunning skyline views before or after a park visit.  

HouBuff2

HouBuff1

 

 

Texas, Texas Politics

Ted Cruz Spews Islamophobic Comments in Michigan

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Last month, there was a glimmer of hope for Texas Senator Ted Cruz, as he rebuked salacious comments (well, sort of) by another GOP rival Ben Carson, whom said that a Muslim could never be President of the United States.

But those that have watched Cruz closely know that what he says today will likely be very different than the comments of tomorrow. On the campaign trail in Michigan, the Senator’s Islamophobic pandering was back on full display.

Here’s the story from Jonathan Oosting at Michigan Live…

KALAMAZOO, MI — Presidential candidate Ted Cruz said Monday morning in Michigan that it would be “absolutely crazy” to bring more Syrian refugees to the United States, despite a humanitarian crisis that has captured the attention of the world.

The U.S. Senator from Texas spoke to a crowd of roughly 800 guests at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, criticizing President Barack Obama on a number of fronts, including his plans to allow more Syrian refugees into the country.

“What President Obama is proposing to do, bring tens of thousands of Syrian Muslims to America, is nothing short of crazy,” Cruz told the crowd during a question and answer period.

[…]

“It would be the height of foolishness to bring in tens of thousands of people, including jihadists who are coming here to murder innocent Americans,” Cruz said. “…With respect to the refugees, it is a humanitarian crisis, but they ought to be settled in the middle east, in majority Muslim countries.”

Is it even possible to defend the constitution’s freedom religion, and then make comments like these??  In the world of Ted Cruz, apparently so.

In a time where Muslim communities across this country suffer constant discrimination, unfair scrutiny and unspeakable indignation, it’s a real disappointment to hear such irresponsible comments from a statewide elected official.  Nevermind the fact that half a million Texas residents whom happen to be Muslim should expect better of their Senator.

Sadly, Cruz’s carelessness comes the same week that Anti-Islamic rallies  are planned across the United States.  The rallies have are planned to be staged in front of American mosques in places like Kentucky, and possibly even Houston.

The threat is so serious that CAIR— The Council on American- Islamic Relations, released a statement of alert to American Muslim communities.

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/4/15) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged Muslim community leaders to consider instituting additional safety measures in response to hate rallies by possibly armed anti-Muslim extremists targeting mosques nationwide on October 10.

[NOTE: October 9 has also been mentioned online as a date for the hate rallies.]

CAIR also called on all Presidential candidates and other elected officials to not only repudiate Anti-Muslim hate rallies, but also to show support for the community by visiting a mosque this weekend.

No doubt that many of the Senator’s constituents will be looking for a more sensible response.  At this point, no one can be quite sure what they’ll get from Ted Cruz.

Ted Cruz

 

Texas, Texas Politics

Are Texas Workplace Injuries Under-Reported??

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At the height of his influence, former Governor Rick Perry was darting across the country to tout his role in the Texas Miracle.  As other states have continued to slowly climb their way out of the Great Recession, Texas seemed to be blasting off like never before.  Particularly for those wanting to start a business and hire a cheap workforce the Lone Star State has rarely shined brighter than in the early 2010s.

But at some point, we have to ask what allows the state’s workforce to remain so cheap, even as wages remain flat and rising property values put an enormous strain on everyday families.  What is Texas doing to keep our work environment so low-cost??

As Jim Malewitz of the Texas Tribune reveals in a new report, part of that puzzle is what we’re not doing… properly documenting workplace injuries.

On any given day across Texas, truck drivers might crash their vehicles, construction workers tumble from scaffolding or refinery workers inhale nauseating fumes.

But many of their injuries will be documented poorly by employers and insurance companies. Some will go unreported entirely — as if they never happened. As a result, no one really knows how many Texans — or Americans, for that matter — are hurt at work.

What is written down about workplace injuries  — and when it’s written — is more than just scorekeeping. Documentation can largely determine whether workers get medical care covered by insurance companies, or fall into whatever social safety net exists, relying on government aid and public programs to recover and support themselves.

[…]

In its report to the Legislature last year, the state Division of Workers’ Compensation touted a remarkable statistic: Texas workers are filing far fewer claims than they once did — a 31 percent drop over the past decade.

The report offered many possible explanations for a trend that mirrors other states, including more safety awareness at job sites, stepped up watchdog efforts from state and federal regulators and new, safer technology.

But in one clause of one sentence of its report, the division touched on another factor potentially at play: “the possibility of under-reporting workplace injuries and illnesses.”

Make that a probability of under-reporting.  Technological advances aside, blue-collar work across the state has only increased over the last decade as more people continue to move in, and require more homes and businesses to be built and serviced.  More workers with a drop in injury claims?  Something definitely doesn’t add up.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a workplace injury claim in Texas, make sure to visit the Texas Department of Insurance Workers Compensaion page.  And remember all claims must be filed within 30 days of the incident to be eligible.

Let’s hope that more Texas workers can be made aware of their rights, and don’t have to continue suffering in silence.

TxWork

(Photo Credit:  Jones Lawyers)