Monthly Archives: November 2012

Did Ted Cruz do better in Latino areas than other Republicans?

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Falkenberg drops the following tidbit in her post-election column on why the GOP in general and in Texas needs to figure out how to appeal to Latino voters. In Texas, the best data so far show a 70-30 split … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Early voting is a good thing

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I do not understand the point of this article at all. Time was when early voting amounted to a handful of absentee ballots, sent in by the elderly, infirm and conscientious after attesting they would not be able to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

And now a word from the HCDP

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Note: The following is a guest post written by Michael Kolenc A week has come and gone since the election, and while we still wait for the provisional ballots to be counted, we can say that the 2012 elections gave … Continue reading →

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Colyandro takes a plea

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Missed this on Friday. It took five minutes for Capitol figure John Colyandro to end a decade-long saga that swept his boss, former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, out of Congress and politics altogether. Colyandro, the last individual with … Continue reading →

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How Latinos voted in Texas

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Latino Decisions publishes its poll of Latino voters on the eve of Election Day. Gary Segura and Matt Barreto of Latino Decisions webinar presentation today focused on the key insights generated from the ImpreMedia-Latino Decisions Election Eve Poll. The survey … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

“One Bin For All” in the running for prize money

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This happened before the election, which now seems as a remote a time as the 19th century. Houston is one of 20 finalist cities from among the 305 nationwide that applied for a $5 million grant from the Bloomberg Philanthropies … Continue reading →

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

Fee for all

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Fees are part of the answer for Texas’ pressing infrastructure needs, but they aren’t and cannot be the whole solution. To help keep the Texas business climate robust, lawmakers should double state fees on motor vehicle registrations and impose a … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why does Midtown need a big box store?

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This story is about a forthcoming six-acre “superblock” being developed in Midtown, and about Midtown’s rise as a successful residential/entertainment area. What caught my eye was this bit at the end: Still, Midtown has yet to see any significant new … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Weekend link dump for November 11

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

But here in this graveyard that’s still no-man’s-land The countless white crosses in mute witness stand To man’s blind indifference to his fellow man To a whole generation that was butchered and damned. It’s now a lot harder to use … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS to review Section 5

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Gird your loins. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge brought by Shelby County, Alabama to the continued constitutionality of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. In its order taking the case, the high court limited the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

On bringing home the “bacon”

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Ted Cruz doesn’t do bacon. Texas’ new U.S. senator-elect, Ted Cruz, has repeatedly taken a cautious approach when asked about how he’ll fill Kay Bailey Hutchison’s shoes when it comes to Texas’ share of federal funding. Cruz said while campaigning … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

“Please don’t mow down the wildlife”

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, the new 85 MPH toll road is now open, and while it is largely free of traffic, there are other obstacles to watch out for. “That is a known pig route,” said Caldwell County Precinct 1 Constable … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

That big East End KBR site has been sold

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There’s one less huge tract of land on the market these days. A Buffalo Bayou-front parcel spanning 136 acres just east of downtown has found a buyer. The mostly vacant tract is under contract and expected to close by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Saturday video break: Blinded By The Light

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Song #44 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “Blinded By The Light”, originally by Bruce Springsteen and covered by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. Here’s the original: Note that the lyric is “Cut loose like a deuce”, not “ripped … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

It’s official: Sylvia vs Carol for SD06

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on. Houston community advocate and longtime public servant Sylvia Garcia announced today she will run in the coming special election to represent Texas Senate District 6. “I’ve been fighting for our community and our families for years in Houston … Continue reading →

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Planned Parenthood gains a stay in state lawsuit

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re confused by where the Women’s Health Program stands in Texas, I don’t blame you. Planned Parenthood will continue participating in the Women’s Health Program — for now. Travis County District Judge Stephen Yelenosky on Thursday approved a temporary … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

No smokers need apply

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, is this a big can of worms. Methodist Hospital System in Houston this month announcedit will implement a tobacco-free hiring policy on Jan. 1, joining the Texas Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, which have had similar policies … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Friday random ten: For the ladies, part 5

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Pretty good week for the ladies, wouldn’t you say? Winning elections is the best revenge. Congrats to Claire, Elizabeth, Heidi, Mazie, and Tammy for reminding us that a lady’s place is in the Senate. 1. Josie – The Darcys 2. … Continue reading →

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Not a surprise that the bonds passed

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

All of the bond issues on the ballot this year had favorable conditions working for them, so their ultimate passage should not be a surprise. The dire warnings of crippling debt, the long presidential campaign conversation about the limits of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ben Hall is a definite maybe for Mayor in 2013

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I know, I’m as excited as you are. Former City Attorney Ben Hall, long rumored to be considering a run for mayor, said Tuesday that “It’s more likely than not” that he will run for mayor next year. Hall has … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Why the HISD Board of Trustees needed stricter ethics rules

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Ladies and gentlemen, Trustee Larry Marshall. HISD trustee Larry Marshall voted repeatedly to award taxpayer-funded contracts to companies that hired his longtime business associate – who gave him a cut of her earnings, according to court records, deposition testimony and … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

More bike racks

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron notes that Houston is on the verge of becoming an actual bike-friendly city, and that we ought to recognize that and do something to help facilitate it. Notably, many downtown buildings lack accessible and visible bike racks. For … Continue reading →

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First pass at analyzing the 2012 results

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This is kind of a brain dump, based on the information available now. I’ll have plenty more to say once precinct data has been released. – The current tally in the Presidential race on the Secretary of State webpage, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Succeeding Sen. Gallegos

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

With the posthumous victory by Sen. Mario Gallegos, there is still one unsettled matter for 2012 in Texas. Mario Gallegos, one of the Texas Senate’s most reliable liberals until his death last month, scored a final win Tuesday, easily defeating … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More on Ashby Heights

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

That’s not this project‘s name, but it’s how I think of it. Canadian developers of a condominium project on a wooded 1.4-acre plot near the Heights Bike Trail and White Oak Bayou late have dropped their request for a variance … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tomorrow is the last day to submit comments to TxDOT on I-45

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Dear Neighbors – TxDOT has plans for I-45, which will impact you!  If you ever drive on I-45; if you live or work near the I-45 Corridor; if you live or work in the Heights, Old Sixth … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

2012 election results

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

As I type this there are still a number of unsettled races in Texas, so things may change between now and tomorrow morning after we’ve all had an insufficient night’s sleep. But here’s how they stand at this time, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

What I’ll be looking for tonight

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Just a reminder that I’ll be on KPFT tonight starting at 7 PM to talk about the elections. Here’s a preview of the things I’ll be looking for: 1. SD10 – Sen. Wendy Davis vs Mark Shelton: Easily the most … Continue reading →

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Today’s the day

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At long last, the death march known as Election 2012 will come to an end today, at which time we can begin gearing up for the next elections in 2013, 2014, and 2016, as well as dreading what the Legislature … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We know the potential, but what’s the plan?

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I trust we’re all familiar with the basic points that Eva Longoria and Gilberto Hinojosa make in Politico about Texas’ potential to become a swing state, perhaps by 2016. There’s nothing that Nate Silver didn’t address, and I could just … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

TAB does not intend to release its hostage

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

And why should they, if it’s a viable strategy? Representatives from the Texas Coalition for a Competitive Workforce, which includes major business groups and local chambers of commerce, said at a news conference that the assessment and accountability system known … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 5

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance celebrates another Election Day as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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On voter confidence

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There was one more interesting aspect to that poll of Harris County from last week, and it had to do with how confident voters were that the vote they cast would be counted. This KUHF story goes into that result. … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Patrick wants AG opinion domestic partner benefits

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Gotta keep an eye on those tricky gays and the people who want to treat them as equals. State Sen. Dan Patrick on Friday asked the Texas Attorney General’s Office to issue an opinion on whether government entities that provide … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments