Now that Houston's mayor has been re-elected to a third term, what will she do?

Charles Kuffner weighs in here.

Here's a list of items she intends to take to city council, They are more controversial than items discussed earlier this year - the local agenda can be bland prior to elections. No need to stir the pot excessively. Now that the election is over these can be talked about again (perhaps this is an argument against 2 year terms).

- wage theft
- restrictions on payday and auto lenders
- regulations for food trucks
- nondiscrimination ordinance protecting gay and transgendered residents
- reduce chronic homelessness
- Bayou Greenways
- moving the crime lab from HPD to an independent lab
- develop a city-council inmate center and close two existing facilities
- obtain negotiating authority for city's firefighter pension system
- water conservation

All nine constitutional amendments passed

Story in the Texas Tribune.

They are almost always passed. And I have no idea why. That might be worth investigating.

Some random stories about yesterday's election

- Officials report few problems with Voter ID requirement.
- Texas voters have their say at the polls.
- Casinos, pot, secession among US ballot measures.
- Houston suburb votes down $69M HS stadium.
- Texas voters OK massive water plan: What’s next?
- Full Coverage of the 2013 State and Local Elections

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/05/5310043/texas-voters-ok-massive-water.html#storylink=cpy

The most expensive high school sports venue ever built

That's what registered voters in the Katy Independent School District can approve if they pass a bond approving $69 million for the project.

From the Chron:

At $69 million, the 14,000-seat stadium would surpass by almost $10 million one built specifically for the Allen Eagles two years ago. Supporters say it's not a luxury item inspired by the gridiron success of the Katy High School Tigers, who last year won their fourth state championship since 2000. They say it's simply a matter of growth: One stadium cannot handle the scheduling requirements of seven high schools, especially with two or three more to come.

"We didn't do this to be the most expensive or one-up the guy next door," said John Eberlan, a bond project committee member spearheading the publicity effort. "We wanted a good conservative design that will serve the district for years down the road. This is about serving the entire district."

Opponents balk at the cost, regardless of school trustees' insistence that no taxes would need to be raised were the project to pass.

"A $69 million price tag for a second stadium is excessive on the backs of the taxpayers," said Cyndi Lawrence, the head of a Katy tea party organization that opposes the bond project. "I think the people should vote it down and it should go back to the drawing board. We need another committee, an unbiased committee."

The stadium is part of three major capital projects that make up a Katy ISD bond project of just under $100 million. The proposal includes a new agriculture arena along with support facilities and an education center devoted to the so-called STEM subjects of math, science and engineering. But it's the stadium that carries the most cost and has drawn the most controversy - a familiar scenario in countless Texas communities, with accusations of misplaced priorities running up against demands to modernize and expand.

From the Houston Chronicle: Pasadena voters to face redistricting measure

The story is for subscribers only, but it follows the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby v Holder, which my mini 2 2306 students are focusing on. This is one of the first consequences of the removal of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

The city wants to cut back on single members districts and expand at large seats. Since single member districts were instituted in order to enhance minority representation, the cutback is taken to be a way to limit it.

The measure, Proposition One, is among the first litmus tests for the high court's June ruling in a Southern state, and if successful could trigger similar redistricting efforts elsewhere.

Four council members from the older, predominantly Hispanic north end oppose the restructuring. They note that the U.S. Justice Department rejected this exact plan as potentially discriminatory, but now the pre-clearance requirement has been voided and opened the door for reconsideration.

"We are standing our ground against the change," said Cody Wheeler, one of two Hispanics on the council.

Opponents contend Proposition One is a "power grab" by the mayor, who was first elected to the council four decades ago and has served off and on ever since. They say the mayor doesn't like the changes that he's seeing in Harris County's second-largest city, population 150,000, that once gained fame for its refineries and Gilley's bar as featured in "Urban Cowboy," starring John Travolta and Debra Winger.

Just as important as the possible racial aspects to the measure is a deep geographic divide, a kind of civil war between the northern, more Hispanic part of town and the more affluent southern end of the city.

Mayor Johnny Isbell and four council members from the more conservative southern side of town argue that the charter change would provide each citizen with more representation. They say each voter would then be able to elect three council members, instead of just one, to represent them.

Here's the sample ballot from Pasadena with the language of Proposition One.

Texas Redistricting.org weighs in.

For what its worth

This is my ballot for next week's election.

About the 2013 AISD Bond election

Aside from the 9 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution, area voters will only have to decide on whether to approve a $212 million bond proposal by the Alvin Independent School District.

Click here for the announcement of the election - and a description of the bond - in the AISD webpage. It was approved by the board in August:

Contents of the school bond proposal were recommended by the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC), a group of parents, local citizens, and school staff. “The CAC worked long and hard for about six months to figure out the best options to address the fast growth that the district is experiencing,” said David Becker, co-chair of the group.

The recommended package totals $212,445,000 and includes funds for the District’s third high school to accommodate 2,500 students; elementary 16 for 800 students; replacing Longfellow Elementary on the original site to accommodate 800 students, land and design for elementary 17 and 18; a junior high school in Manvel to accommodate 1,000 students; renovation and expansion of Alvin Junior High for 300 more students, land for junior high seven; design and related costs for a Career and Technical Education Facility, and a new Godwin Ag Facility to improve instructional access. Also in the proposal are safety and security projects, including the addition of more secure entrances on older campuses, replacing outdated communication systems and adding surveillance cameras. The proposal also includes land and design for a centralized facility for a district athletic stadium, satellite transportation center and district competition swimming pool (natatorium).

With their focus on meeting the educational needs of students and their commitment to being good stewards of tax dollars, the Board voted to allocate $8.6 million from available fund balance and $3.46 million from current maintenance and operations funds to cover some of the projects recommended by the CAC. “These include items with shorter term use such as band uniforms, buses and technology,” said Tommy King, deputy superintendent for business. Additionally, due to lower construction costs, the District has $28,095,000 of authorized, yet unissued, bond funds available from the 2009 bond referendum which will also be used to fund bond some of the projects.

The Chronicle had a comprehensive story on the matter in August. This followed a previous one on the Citizens Advisory Committee that recommended the bond. The need for a high school on the west side was a major issue in the recent election:

When Nicole Tonini successfully ran in May for Position 5 Alvin school trustee, she said, "Many on this side of the district feel a high school on the west side is long overdue.

"It would be good for this area and also for the east side as it will alleviate growth at Alvin and Manvel high schools," she said.

. . . "The need for a third high school is incredibly crucial," said Paul Ingamells, who served as committee co-chair with David Becker. Ingamells added that the need for the third high school is documented by a third-party demographic company.

"This bond has really got to pass," Ingamells said.

Demographic forecasts indicate Manvel High School will have 2,504 students in the fall. It has a capacity of 2,500. Officials project it could have as many as 3,416 by 2017.

The district has already engaged SWA Architects to begin the design process, said district spokesman Dan Combs. The school's location is at Kirby and Broadway, across from Pearland Town Center. The district purchased the land as part of its 2009 bond initiative.

The third high school site prevents the inclusion of a varsity football stadium and natatorium; so the citizens committee recommends spending $8.9 million to purchase land and build such facilities.

Alvin ISD trustees voted 5-2 on Aug. 8 to call the election.

Tonini voted in favor along with board president Tiffany Wennerstrom, vice president Regan Metoyer and trustees Cheryl Harris and Charles McCauley.

Trustees Mike Lansford and Sue Stringer voted in opposition.

Some of the opposition was due to the way the vote was to be conducted:

Stringer said she is not specifically against the bond, but has concern over the district's practice of using branch polling locations in addition to the usual early voting and Election Day locations.

She believes it is an "attempt to skew the vote."

"Seniors, for example, are not going to be out after dark and could be disenfranchised," she said.

Lansford agrees with concerns over rotating polling locations, saying the additional cost is unnecessary. He adds, "Since the additional 23 sites are not neutral, many people will perceive the school district as stacking the vote in the bond's favor."

Combs said the district has been using branch voting locations for years when it comes to bond elections. He explained this allows for greater participation among residents.

"It means more people are enabled to participate," he said, adding that the practice is also used by neighboring school districts. Residents can also early vote and vote on Election Day. 

Early voting begins in Texas

It actually began yesterday, October 21.

Click here for important 2013 election dates in Texas - this is from votetexas.gov.
Click here for similar information from the Secretary of State's office.

Texas Tribune reports that this election will provide an early indication of the impact of voter ID laws in the state.

Early voting is one of a handful of processes that make it easier for people to vote - Tuesday's can be difficult for working people. The NCSL provides a look at the range of methods used by different states. In addition to early voting, there's absentee voting - either with or without an excuse - and all mail voting.

Click here for detail and the map - suffice to say that the political culture in some states - in addition to the political interests in different states - lead to drives to enhance or restrict access to the polls. Texas historically has tended to restrict access, which leads to the suspicion by some that the intent of voter ID laws is to impact the tendency of certain groups to turn out.

Prop 2 - Texas Constitutional Amendment - 2013

Here's what the ballot wording will look like:

The constitional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational.

The purpose seem to just clean up the Texas Constitution of an extraneous section.

Click here for detail from the Texas Legislative Council.

The Texas Constitution currently requires a constitutional State Medical Education Board and State Medical Education Fund.  The program, created in 1952, did not ultimately serve its intended purpose so the loans from the fund were discontinued in 1988.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board absorbed the State Medical Education Fund as part of its overall duties for scholarships and student loans, making the constitutional board and fund obsolete.  HJR 79 eliminates the constitutional requirement to continue the board and fund.

Supporters Say: This constitutional amendment repeals an obsolete provision in the Texas Constitution. The State Medical Education Fund is operated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, so there is no need to maintain the discontinued program in the constitution.

Opponents Say: No opposition.

Houston's mayoral debate

The six candidates for Houston's mayoral race met last night in a debate. The Chronicle reports that roads, city finances and public transportation were dominant themes.

Prop 1 - Texas Constitutional Amendment - 2013

Click here for detail.

Allows the surviving spouse of a member of the United States military that was killed in action a complete property tax exemption on their residential homestead until the surviving spouse remarries.  The amount of the property tax exemption can be transferred from the home the serviceman and spouse owned at the time of death to another property. 

Sample Ballot for the November 5, 2013 Brazoria County Election

Click here for Brazoria County's elections page.

ACC is in precinct 41, so here's the actual ballot voters registered here will be presented.

It contains the nine Texas constitutional amendments and an up or down vote on a proposed $212 million bond for AISD.

State and Local Elections - 2013

Things are pretty quiet overall on the states and local level here (tough to compete with Syria) but local issues will become more prominent as the 2013 elections start to loom.

Click here for the Texas Secretary of State's page on important 2013 election dates.

It gives us an idea about what to look forward to. Houston has elections coming up, so there's a good course of content for us. We will also follow news about potential candidates for the primary elections scheduled this coming March.

Ballorpedia has a page on Texas' 2013 elections also.

ISD and Municipal Election Results - May 11, 2013

Click here for full results from Brazoria County.

And here for results for Harris County.

Commentary to follow.

From Off the Kuff: A first look at the 2013 elections

An early look at Houston's elections later this year.

The author anticipates at least one challenge to Mayor Parker.