Local Senator kills campaign finance reform bills

May 29, 2025

In 2009 I researched the spending habits of all Senators and House members. The report is called Don’t Mess With Texas Ethics. You can read that here.

According to The Texas Tribune every bill filed to address the unlimited money in Texas elections and the Texas Ethics Commission’s (TEC) ability to enforce the campaign finance laws have failed. Even the bill filed to address the Sunset Commission’s recommendations to improve the TEC failed. So Texas will continue to be the land of the lawless. The Tribune’s article is detailed. Take a moment to read it.

Our Senator “Money” Mayes Middleton was quoted in the article concerning reforming the Ethics Commission:

“It’s about prioritizing real misconduct over technical infractions, ending the weaponization of the complaint process, and shining a light where dark corners have persisted for too long.”

That is a load of crap. Middleton is the king of unlimited money in politics. He personally funded his campaign for his House seat spending millions to beat a sitting Republican in the primary. He has donated millions of his campaign money to various campaigns hidden behind advertising companies. These donations are difficult to find. Middleton did his best to kill the ethics bills.

Since running for office in 2018 Middleton has raised over $6,930,462 Million with 83%, $5,736,392, coming from his own pocket. He spent over $2 Million of his own money to win his House seat in Galveston in a campaign that required only $500,000 if it was competitive. (It wasn’t) He has spent over $7 Million on campaigns across the state including:

Some of his biggest donations include $300,000 to Louie Gohmert who unsuccessfully ran for Texas Attorney General against Ken Paxton in the Republican Primary. He donated over $60,000 to Galveston’s State Representative Terri Wilson. Wilson raised over 87% of her entire campaign donations from out of district PACs and individuals. He donated a few thousand dollars to the leader of conservative values, State Representative Tony Tinderholt, who has been married 5 times. He donated $186,000 to Carrie Isaac of Dripping Springs.

So I find it rich that Middleton would be making any comments concerning money, donations, and ethics. Middleton will be giving up his Senate seat to run for Texas Attorney General…..a race financed by his own money.

Leave a Comment » | Political | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Texas House District 129. Why the Bay Area Should Be Concerned

May 27, 2025

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to understand this. Take a minute to read.

Texas is divided into 150 House Districts with about 193,000 citizens in each. The districts are created or modified every ten years after the census. There is one Representative per House District. Texas also has 31 Senate Districts. We can cover that later.

House District 129 (HD129) covers the Bay Area between Friendswood and Seabrook up to the border of Galveston County and extending upwards to almost Beltway 8. HD129 is mostly in Harris County and covers parts of Pearland, League City and Friendswood. Take a look at the map below. You can see the pdf version here and the street by street version here.

HD129 is considered a “gerrymandered” district. It was created in such a way that a Republican candidate will always win by 17 points or more. As an example in 2008 a Democrat raised over $450,000, knocked on over 20,000 doors, and made over 25,000 phone calls and was running against a relatively unknown and unethical incumbent. She still lost by 17 points. Other candidates since then have tried but have also failed. That’s what gerrymandering does. If you think that is bad, wait till I talk about Congressional District 36. It’s a 70/30 district!

Currently the district is represented by Dennis Paul, although I use “represented” loosely. Paul is considered “Furniture” by Texas Monthly. It means he does little except being in the way, like furniture. When you stub your little toe in the dark of night on a piece of furniture your spouse moved, that is Dennis Paul. He is now running for Texas Senate District 11, our district. Former CCISD Trustee, Scott Bowen, after a humiliating loss in his reelection bid, is now running to replace Paul. Bowen has a history of recruiting horrible candidates to run for CCISD. 4 out of 6 failed ending his goal of taking over the CCISD Board.

If you haven’t been concerned about HD129 you might want to start. After over 20 years of complete Republican rule of the Governorship, the House, the Senate, and every State wide race, HD129 is on the verge of losing NASA to Elon Musk. We have the highest homeowner insurance in the State. Our electricity grid is still fragile. Our public schools have been used and abused for decades and both of our elected officials cosponsored the voucher bills.

The Texas House has a super majority with the Republican Party in charge. We, in HD129, can afford to take a stand, make a statement, and lose just one seat. For your wallet, for your schools, and to stick it to the man, you might want to consider doing something different in November of 2026.

Leave a Comment » | Political | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Greg Abbott’s Mexican MAGAt runs for San Antonio Mayor

May 24, 2025

I grew up in San Antonio. Thomas Jefferson ’74. I moved to the Bay Area in 1981 but still love my hometown.

Greg Abbott is attempting a takeover of the city of San Antonio by financing his Mexican MAGAt, Rolando Pablos, for Mayor. Pablos is running against Gina Ortiz Jones. This is a non partisan race but it is pretty clear which side Pablos is on. He is firmly embedded in the MAGA side of the Republic Party and as Ortiz has said, will do the bidding of Greg Abbott, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump. Count on it. Pablos served as Secretary of State for just two years before stepping down in 2018.

Greg Abbott has $60 Million in his campaign account and by law can donated as much money as he wants to a third party that can do what republicans do best, lie. This is what Abbott will do because he knows lying works. Like Trump he can lie and get away with it.

Recently the San Antonio Express endorsed Pablos claiming he would be better for business. Don’t be fooled. Again. Remember many voters believed Trump would be better for business, jobs, and your retirement account. Then just 4 months later they got screwed as did everyone else.

This election is about taking control away from the citizens of San Antonio. Pablos will be Greg Abbott’s bitch. (my apologies to bitches) He will do what Greg and Donald wants. He will bring chaos to the city. This is what they do. As his opponent said “Rolando’s plan is to do whatever Greg Abbott tells him to do.” (short video here)

Don’t fall for it. Again.

Leave a Comment » | Political | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Ouch! Local State Representative has billed killed on the House Floor (video)

May 20, 2025

This is our State Representative. He is now running for Senate.

Representative Dennis Paul filed House Bill 1091 which would shorten the time for accepting mail in ballots. State Representative John Bucy who was appointed to the Elections Committee as a freshman legislator asked very specific questions when Paul’s bill was laid out in the Committee. Paul’s answers came back to embarrass him on the House Floor.

As he did in the Committee Paul continued his claim that his bill would actually give voters MORE time to send in a ballot by mail when in fact it actually shortened it. After an embarrassing questioning by Bucy on the House floor, Bucy called for a point of order and requested no further consideration due to the bill analysis being “substantially and materially misleading”. The Chair agreed. The bill died. (You can read the official details here)

This is one of the many reasons why Dennis Paul was listed as “furniture” by Texas Monthly. After 10 years his time in the House is been uneventful. Our district deserves better…..but not Scott Bowen.

Leave a Comment » | Political | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Former DA Kim Ogg, It’s Time to Move On

May 19, 2025

I didn’t know the Houston Press still existed. Decades ago, when they were still in print, they ran a front page story on how I became a consumer advocate. It was a very detailed article and focused on my problem with Ryland Homes. (god rest their sorry ass) I really appreciated the article.

Today they focused on former District Attorney Kim Ogg and it makes her seem petty, vindictive, and still irrelevant. In 2024 she was absolutely trampled in the Democratic Primary losing 75/25 in the early vote totals. Her opponent went on to win the DAs race.

Ogg has been criticized for harassing her enemies including Judge Lina Hidalgo and her staff. Her extensive investigation, involving the Texas Rangers, ended in an ill called press conference including someone with a trombone playing WOMP WOMP in the background. (not really)

A number of cases have since been throw out with the DA claiming the cases lacked necessary evidence to convict. Based upon her past experience it’s probably true. A DA wouldn’t throw out a case after so many resources were spent on it. I just don’t see that happening. Now Ogg wants federal intervention and after sucking up to the republican party she just might get it from the weaponized arm of the department of justice.

I was a big supporter of Ogg for her reelection in 2020 and I’ve been critical of Ogg for her petty arguments with Judge Hidalgo. I’ve been critical of Hidalgo for not taking the high road and whining too much. The resolution prior to the primary passed by a handful of far lefties of the Harris County Democratic Party against Ogg was a waste of time and effort and unnecessary. But if made them feel like they did something productive then more power to them.

Take a few minutes to read the story. It is detailed, pointed, and Ogg deserves every fuckin bit of it.

Leave a Comment » | Political | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Movie Review: The Amateur

May 17, 2025

Watch it? Rent it? Skip it?

Skip it. That was such a huge waste of a free movie ticket. The Amateur is about a pencil neck, computer geek working for the CIA who becomes an International CIA Agent overnight in order to find and kill those who killed his wife. Sounds stupid? You’re right. It is. It was.

Somehow over a 2 hour period Rami Malek, an academy award winner, is transformed into a bullet proof CIA spy using his skills he learned from Lawrence Fishburne over a period of a few days and the help of YouTube videos (seriously). Jon Berthnal has a couple of very regrettable appearances, seriously, just a couple. Needless to say Rami learns how to hack into every building, access every camera, to evade the highly trained CIA agents sent to find him. He is bulletproof. Literally escaping a Seal team with automatic weapons. Ugh. It is just so cringe worthy.

I feel more stupider just writing this. This was crap. Just total crap. A waste of 2 hours and a free movie ticket. Don’t waste your time or money watching this stupidity. Go watch something better like The Substance.

LOL.

Leave a Comment » | Consumer | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Comments Requested in Support of Insurance Bill

May 16, 2025

As I mentioned a few days ago:

Progressive Insurance sent out a message to home owners and insurance agents in the Bay Area urging them to contact elected officials concerning an insurance bill. Just an FYI: Progressive will NOT write policies in the Bay Area.

The agents have responded. You can read their comments in opposition of the bill here. They pretty much reflect the talking points provided by Progressive. So take a few minutes to write to the Committee in support of this bill. Here are my talking points:

  • This bill requires the insurance industry to justify rate increases over 10%. If they can’t justify their increases they should not be able to increase.
  • This bill is the least our elected officials can do for those affected by the rising cost of home insurance. Literally.
  • This bill will NOT address the problem of our out of control insurance premiums
  • Justifying an increase in rates will NOT lower premiums since premiums are calculated based upon the rates and other factors
  • Our issue in the Bay Area is the extreme premiums and deductibles.

Your comments would be appreciated 
On Monday 5/19/25  the House Insurance Committee will hear Senate Bill 1643. This bill will require insurance companies to justify to the Texas Department of Insurance any rate increase above 10%. It DOES NOT regulate the rate, it simply requires a justification.

The Industry has sent out emails to their insurance agents to write comments opposing this bill and they have. You can also send in comments. It is easy. The form is online here. Do the following:

  • Fill out your personal information
  • Select SB 1643 by Schwertner
  • Enter your comments including your support for the bill
  • Submit your comments

Again thank you for your interest in this issue!

Leave a Comment » | Consumer | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Christian Congressman of Galveston Jokes About Killing Immigrants

May 15, 2025

And we wonder why a 21 year old white wing nut killed 23 human beings at an El Paso Walmart?

Randy Weber, the Congressman of Galveston County who has never met a constituent face to face, thought it was real funny to joke about killing immigrants. And it’s on video. This is the kind of talk that gets people killed including 23 shoppers in El Paso, 10 in Santa Fe High School, and 19 children in Uvalde. He thinks it’s funny. He thinks it is cute.

Randy claims to be a Christian, a “republican” Christian. Republican Christians are different kind of Christians. They talk a great game about Christian values, loving thy neighbor, telling the truth, yada yada yada. In real life they tolerate liars, cheaters, racists, sympathizing with NAZIs, and porking porn stars, paying them off and getting indicted and convicted on 34 felony counts. That is Randy Weber.

Randy gives real Christians a bad name. I guess he is a CHINO. Christian In Name Only. May god damn him to hell.

Leave a Comment » | Political | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Insurance Company Asks for Help from Bay Area Homeowners (LOL)

May 14, 2025

Progressive Insurance sent out a message to home owners and insurance agents in the Bay Area urging them to contact elected officials concerning an insurance bill. Just an FYI: Progressive will NOT write policies in the Bay Area.

Senate Bill 1643 will require an insurance company to justify their rate increases of more than 10% prior to using the new rates. Back in 2003 the Legislature removed the prior approval of rate increases and implemented a “File and Use” system allowing the insurance industry to raise rates, file them with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), and immediately use the new rates. The rates could be challenged by TDI but they rarely do.

Needless to say the insurance industry is whining like a two year old, sending out emails to their agents and homeowners doing what they have been doing for the last 20 years, complain about turning into California with rate regulations. If they lived in the Bay Area they would realize that we ARE California! Rates have skyrocketed and deductibles are through the roof. Many companies including Progressive, will NOT write policies in the area. Their great “Free Market” lets them Flee the Market and they have. All the bill requires is justification for raising rates above 10%. If you can’t justify it, you shouldn’t be using it. It’s not regulating squat.

The hearing for the bill was scheduled in the House Insurance Committee has been canceled.

1 Comment | Consumer | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

Look who is running for local State Representative

May 12, 2025

We all knew it was coming. The darling of the republic party, Scott Bowen.

After a devastating loss in his reelection bid for CCISD Trustee Scott Bowen has decided to run for State Representative. It’s a logical choice. Congressman Brian Babin’s seat is being saved for his son. Current State Representative Dennis Paul is running for State Senator. Current State Senator Money Mayes Middleton is running for Texas Attorney General. This leaves the State Representative seat open for Bowen.

This district was built for a do nothing republican because they don’t have to do anything to win besides put their name on the ballot. It’s so gerrymandered a Democrat can never win. Back in 2008 the State Representative, John Davis, was caught using tens of thousands of his donors money for personal items including a pair of custom made $1500 cowboy boots, gasoline for his roofing company, and other items. His approval rating was in the gutter and few if any voters knew who he was. His opponent raised $400,000, knocked on over 25,000 doors, made over 20,000 phone calls and yet still lost by 12 points.

This is a perfect place for Bowen. He can now officially go after public education funding. He can turn his back on gun violence victims and their families. He can ignore those of us who are being devastated by the rising cost of home insurance and an electricity grid in disarray. Like Dennis Paul, Scott will have a special place on Greg Abbotts ass. He will have money from his billionaire buddies and every special interest in Texas. He will be welcomed in Austin.

Maybe the parents, teachers, and taxpayers in House District 129 will hold him accountable. Again.

Leave a Comment » | Political | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by johncoby

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Bay Area Houston

Hard hitting political commentary always full of wit in Houston Texas.

Skip to content ↓