Monthly Archives: October 2012

30 Day finance reports, Harris County candidates

Here’s a look at the 30 day campaign finance reports for Harris County candidates. All reports can be found by going to the Harris County Clerk campaign finance reports page. Candidate Office Raised Spent Loans Cash ========================================================== Garcia Sheriff 192,670 … Continue reading

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What if Oliver wins?

Nothing good, that’s for sure. “If he wins, I’m moving to Fredericksburg” said his GOP opponent, Mike Anderson. “I don’t have anything against him personally, but I can’t imagine what that office would be like.” His criminal history, unusual sense … Continue reading

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Arson review moving forward

Good. A long-awaited review of old Texas arson cases — an unprecedented search for wrongful convictions based on bad fire investigation science — is picking up speed and will probably produce the first results in January, participants said [last] Friday. … Continue reading

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Endorsement watch: Four for four

The Express-News gets on the Keith Hampton bus. When one of Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller’s Republican colleagues said she had made the court a “national laughingstock,” he was being generous. Keller’s controversial judicial actions are … Continue reading

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Interview with Vince Ryan

We return to non-referendum races as we enter the last week before early voting. For the first of my last two interviews I have for you a conversation with Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, who was elected along with Sheriff … Continue reading

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Another reason why math is your friend

The Statesman asks the question whether the newly-drawn HD48 in Travis County might be easier for a Republican challenger to win, then never gets around to providing the simplest answer to that question. Starting in April and carrying on through … Continue reading

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Conroe is growing up

Good for them. Conroe native Jay Ross Martin says he never imagined his rural hometown in the piney woods developing bustling retail centers, a thriving housing market and a population that’s more than doubled in the past 20 years. The … Continue reading

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Endorsement watch: The Chron for Hampton

The Chron joins the DMN and the Star-Telegram in endorsing Keith Hampton for the Court of Criminal Appeals. We highly recommend that voters cast their ballots instead for Democratic challenger Keith Hampton. This endorsement is not merely a rejection of … Continue reading

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Weekend link dump for October 14

You’re doing it wrong. I need to remember that tip about boiling eggs. How “The Big Bang Theory” is helping NASA with its public image. What’s the expiration date on a spoiler? Two words: Dilithium crystals. Oh, yeah. I have … Continue reading

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No Planned Parenthood, no women’s health care

It’s a simple enough concept. Women’s access to affordable health care will be reduced if the state follows through with its plan to eschew federal funding for the Women’s Health Program and create a state program instead, according to a … Continue reading

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Downtown schools

The Chron notes downtown’s continuing evolution. Last week’s announcement of plans for a Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage marked the latest in a string of developments in the decades-long march in the evolution of about 50 square blocks west … Continue reading

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The dumbest plastic bag argument I’ve seen so far

This story is about the city of San Francisco rolling out a new ordinance intended to further limit the use of disposable bags by retailers. I’ve heard a variety of arguments against the different versions of this kind of law, … Continue reading

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Endorsement watch: E-N for Sadler, Parent PAC for Ann Johnson

Having made a good choice for the State Senate, the Express News follows it up with a good choice for US Senate. Former state Rep. Paul Sadler is unequivocally the right choice on the Nov. 6 ballot to represent Texas … Continue reading

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Saturday video break: Red Red Wine

Song #47 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “Red Red Wine”, originally by Neil Diamond and covered by UB40. Here’s the original: I’ve known forever that Neil Diamond wrote this song, but I’d never heard his version of … Continue reading

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LULAC files suit against Tax Assessor over voter registrations

Texas Redistricting has the press release. Today, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and a number of Houston residentsfiled suit against Harris County in Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas maintaining that Harris County officials … Continue reading

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Austin’s choices for Council districts

The Statesman has a look at the choices Austin voters have for how to redesign their City Council from an all-At Large system to one with Council districts. In the debate over whether to change the City Council from citywide … Continue reading

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There’s an app for beating red lights

Do you ever get frustrated when you get stopped by a string of red lights while driving? If you’re like me, you sure do. Wouldn’t it be nice to know how (legally) fast you should be going to maximize the … Continue reading

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Endorsement watch: For reason

In making their endorsements in State Board of Education races, the Chron “supports an incumbent who has fought for reason and clarity, and two challengers who would be fresh voices of reason”. As well they should. In District 4, Lawrence … Continue reading

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Sen. Gallegos in “grave” condition

Scary. State Sen. Mario V. Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, is in grave condition at Methodist Hospital in Houston, sources have confirmed. “Senator Gallegos’ family is at his side during this difficult time, and they have asked me to respectfully request that … Continue reading

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Friday random ten: For the ladies, part 1

There are a lot of songs out there whose titles are just the name of a woman. I’m going to go through the ones I have in my collection. 1. Alison – Tufts Beelzebubs 2. Alma – Tom Lehrer 3. … Continue reading

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Mail ballots

Campos has been tracking mail ballot requests to the Harris County Clerk. Here is what the County put out yesterday evening: As of this evening we have approved 71,101 applications and sent out 67,376 ballots. We have received 19,468 voted … Continue reading

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Pro tip: Vote only once

Oops. After the Fort Bend Star received a tip about the Republican candidate for Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner, the Star conducted an in-depth review of Bruce Fleming and his wife, Nancy Fleming’s voting record. Our research found that … Continue reading

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News flash: Birth control prevents unwanted pregnancies

I know, I’m as shocked as you are. Free birth control led to dramatically lower rates of abortions and teen births, a large study concludes. The findings were eagerly anticipated and come as a bitterly contested Obama administration policy is … Continue reading

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Ashby Heights

Here’s the next frontier in unwanted development. A residential development proposal that’s been on and off in the Heights since 2004 is back on, reviving neighborhood opposition to the project and catching the attention of the mayor. Canadian developer Group … Continue reading

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DeLay argues his case before the appeals court panel

It’s an old, familiar argument. Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay should not go to prison on money-laundering charges because the 2002 campaign transaction involved a $190,000 check and not cash, his lawyer argued before the Third Court of … Continue reading

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One bin to rule them all

This would be an innovative approach to deal with Houston’s unacceptably low recycling rate. Under what is being called “Total Reuse: One Bin for All,” residents would wheel everything to the curb in one barrel and let the city sort … Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

No time for trial in Guinn election lawsuit

I think this really is the end of the line for any actions that could affect the November 2012 ballot. The question of whether Chris Diaz’s 17-vote run-off victory for the Democratic Precinct 2 Constable nomination was legitimate will fade … Continue reading

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Texas blog roundup for the week of October 8

The Texas Progressive Alliance has Big Bird’s back as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Richard Schechter

The last bond referendum I’ll be discussing is the one that’s received the least attention so far, and that’s the HCC bond referendum. This isn’t terribly surprising, since HCC Trustee elections tend to be low-profile as well, but that doesn’t … Continue reading

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District E overview

Here’s the Chron overview of the special election in City Council District E to replace CM Mike Sullivan. The establishment guy is David Martin, a member of the Humble Independent School District board. Until he resigned in August, he was … Continue reading

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More back and forth on the Metro referendum

Metro Board Chair Gilbert Garcia explains the referendum for those who say they don’t understand it. The referendum is as easy as 1-2-3. If approved, it will: 1. Continue the road-building program. 2. Expand Metro’s bus system. 3. Pay down … Continue reading

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Endorsement watch: Another critic on board

State Sen. Mario Gallegos sent out the following email on Monday: “The 2012 Bond Referendum will modernize outdated high school buildings and build new schools to meet students’ needs across the city. This proposal is a good investment that will … Continue reading

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A question of how many

Yes, Democrats will pick up seats in the Lege this election. The question is how many seats. Texas political experts expect Democrats will gain at least seven House seats. “If the Democrats don’t get to 55 seats or more, the … Continue reading

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Hampton going after Keller

I wish him the best of luck. The ethics behind Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller’s decision to shut the doors on a death penalty appeal are resurfacing as her opponent launches a contentious campaign against her. Democratic … Continue reading

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