Monthly Archives: July 2014

Texas blog roundup for the week of July 21

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance mourns the tragedy of MH17 as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of July 21

Ivy Taylor named interim SA Mayor

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations, Madam Mayor. The City Council appointed Councilwoman Ivy Taylor to become San Antonio’s next mayor. She did not win a majority of the council vote, as her colleagues split 5-3 over her and Councilman Ray Lopez. Lopez then withdrew … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ivy Taylor named interim SA Mayor

Don’t sweat that court ruling on Obamacare tax credits just yet

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s too soon to say what effect, if any will be felt in Texas. Opposing rulings from two federal courts Tuesday left unclear the future prospects of federal financial aid to Texans who qualify for assistance to purchase health insurance … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Don’t sweat that court ruling on Obamacare tax credits just yet

Southeast and Harrisburg rail line openings pushed back

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Well, at least it’s still in 2014. THERE’S STILL “some uncertainty” over the exact schedule, but all the pieces needed to allow Metro to open Houston’s second and third light-rail lines won’t be in place until late December, according to … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Southeast and Harrisburg rail line openings pushed back

Wonkblog on Texas cities’ efforts to combat payday lenders

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s always nice when the national media notices something positive happening in Texas instead of the usual. Four years ago, ACE Cash Express was the company that turned Dallas Council member Jerry Allen into the payday loan industry’s worst enemy. … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Wonkblog on Texas cities’ efforts to combat payday lenders

Another perspective on residency requirements

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Election Law blog looks at my coverage of the Dave Wilson residency saga and offers his thoughts on the matter. The saga of gaming residence for the sake of running for office – what a tangle of legal … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Perry’s border surge

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Stupid. Gov. Rick Perry, leaping again into the national spotlight on illegal immigration, announced Monday he is sending up to 1,000 National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border, where an influx of young Central Americans has overwhelmed the federal government. … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SH 130 operator in default

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

But it’s not default-default just yet. Although the company that built and operates the southern leg of the Texas 130 toll road recently managed to work out a payment extension with its lenders, an investor service that monitors the project … Continue reading →

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

San Antonio’s “Little India”

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I love stories like this. On a recent Saturday morning, about two dozen men in team jerseys gathered on grounds in the far North Side with their kits of helmets, bats and protective gear, pumped to play cricket. The scoreboard … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Planned Parenthood comes out swinging

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Good to see. Planned Parenthood’s political arm is embarking on the most aggressive campaign it has ever waged in Texas, with plans to spend $3 million to turn out voters for Democratic candidates including Sens. Wendy Davis for governor and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Planned Parenthood comes out swinging

Texas EquuSearch wins one in court

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Texas EquuSearch will resume flying drones during their search-and-recovery missions after a federal appeals court ruled Friday that a government “cease and desist” order banning their use wasn’t valid. In February, a Federal Aviation Administration official sent the volunteer … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Texas EquuSearch wins one in court

Chron agrees that the Astrodome Park plan is silly

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

So there you have it. There is something uniquely Houston about tearing down an historic structure to build a memorial commemorating the history of that very structure. But that is exactly what the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bikes on buses update

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Keeps going up. More METRO bus rides are bringing along their bicycles to complete their trip and get from point A to point B. In June, the number of bikes on buses hit a record 21,941, a 32 percent increase … Continue reading →

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

Weekend link dump for July 20

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

“And that means that the Koch brothers, who spent an estimated $30 million on ads opposing Obamacare, might have actually had a hand in getting people signed up for insurance coverage.” Reading the polls is a little trickier than usual … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for July 20

When is that appeal of the Texas same sex marriage ruling going to happen?

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

A little later than originally planned. It’s been five months since a federal judge struck down Texas’ bans on same-sex marriage. But Attorney General Greg Abbott says he needs more time to file a brief appealing U.S. District Judge Orlando … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on When is that appeal of the Texas same sex marriage ruling going to happen?

Beaver versus beaver

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a trademark infringement lawsuit. What did you think I was referring to? In the animal world it may be that no two beavers are the same but semi-aquatic rodent diversity does not extend to the world of the convenience … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Beaver versus beaver

More on the partisan lines of the Uber fight

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From Wonkblog, another interesting look at how the fight over the so-called “sharing economy”, in particular transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, is playing out nationally. In its short life, however, the sharing economy has seldom reflected a clear … Continue reading →

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

Collier hits the road

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Talking taxes, and our state’s screwed-up appraisal process. With about as many local candidates as voters in attendance, the Travis County Democratic Party hosted a “town hall” on property tax reform Friday morning, where everybody agreed with would-be County Commissioner … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Collier hits the road

Saturday video break: Cherry Bomb

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time for another edition of Same Name, Different Song. Today’s song “Cherry Bomb” is fairly well known in either rendition, though I’d venture to guess that the John Mellencamp version has been on the radio a lot more. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Emmett doesn’t like Astrodome Park

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

And he’s not afraid to say so. Hoping to jump-start another discussion about redeveloping the Astrodome, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett on Thursday called the Houston Texans and the Rodeo’s proposal to demolish the iconic stadium and replace it with … Continue reading →

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

Four for interim Mayor

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Four of out five San Antonio City Council members that had said they would like to file a letter of interest for the post of interim Mayor actually filed those letters of interest. Submitting letters of interest by Wednesday’s 5 … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Four for interim Mayor

The wheels on the bus go round and round, even in The Woodlands

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Welcome to the wonderful world of transit. With help from regional officials, The Woodlands is entering the bus business, a decision that might give south Montgomery County commuters more options down the road. Population gains pushed the Woodlands-Conroe area from … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Friday random ten: What the H?

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I love how a single letter can represent a swear word. 1. Philadelphia Freedom – Hall and Oates 2. Stompin’ At The Savoy – Harry Connick, Jr 3. Big Rock Candy Mountain – Harry McClintock 4. Jump Into The Fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Friday random ten: What the H?

Wilson wins residency fight

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

That was quick. Houston Community College trustee Dave Wilson lives in the residence he claimed and can keep his seat on the college system’s board, a jury decided Thursday. “Thank you,” Wilson shouted when the verdict was announced about 4:30 … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Council votes to sue over bad pension projections

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Game on. Houston City Council on Wednesday paved the way for city attorneys to sue an actuarial firm the city claims gave inaccurate pension estimates that spurred costly changes to firefighters’ retirement benefits in 2001. […] Houston’s contribution rate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Council votes to sue over bad pension projections

It really is about more than just marriage

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Jo Ann Santangelo writes for the Observer about what it means to be in a same-sex marriage that isn’t recognized as legal by the state of Texas. In 2012, my wife, Kate, and I traveled more than 3,400 miles from … Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on It really is about more than just marriage

B-Cycle keeps racking up good numbers

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Great to see. From meager beginnings, Houston’s bikesharing program has blossomed into a big draw for visitors and locals looking for a quick ride. For the first six months of 2014, Houston B-Cycle logged 43,530 checkouts, according to agency data. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on B-Cycle keeps racking up good numbers

Dave Wilson residency lawsuit is underway

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Almost missed this. A trial is set to begin Tuesday morning to determine whether Houston Community College trustee Dave Wilson actually lived in the district in which he ran last November. Wilson, who ousted former HCC Chairman Bruce Austin in … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dave Wilson residency lawsuit is underway

Fracking ban on the ballot in Denton

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

This has the potential to be even bigger than the HERO repeal referendum. Voters will decide whether this North Texas college town will become the state’s first city to ban hydraulic fracturing. After a public hearing Tuesday night that stretched … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fracking ban on the ballot in Denton

How to solve the traffic problems of The Woodlands

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

All that growth has its downsides. The Houston-Galveston Area Council, along with local entities including The Woodlands, Montgomery County, the City of Oak Ridge North and the Texas Department of Transportation, are working on a South Montgomery Mobility Study that … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of July 14

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes you all a Happy Bastille Day as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of July 14

Astrodome Park: The population isn’t the problem

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Greg Wythe addresses one of the central questions about the proposed Astrodome Park in this comment that I thought was worth highlighting on the front page. As it turns out, there are a number of apartments situated to the east … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The relevant numbers in the finance reports

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

The headlines will say one thing but you need to dig a little deeper to get the picture. Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott has amassed a $35.6 million war chest in his campaign for Texas governor, a figure his aides … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The relevant numbers in the finance reports

Sam Houston enters the chemical disclosure fray

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Sam Houston, Democratic Nominee for Texas Attorney General, today promised to reverse the current AG’s letter ruling on the release of the locations of dangerous chemicals, putting the safety of our families and children first. “I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Sam Houston enters the chemical disclosure fray