Author Archives: Greg Wythe

Catch the WAve

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The following is a message from Super Neighborhood 22: Catch the WAve Day, all day Saturday March 7 Hosted by: SN22, Mayor White’s Office of Special Events, and MECA Purpose: To showcase area businesses, schools & non-profits, plus an eco-fair … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

The Riddler goes on a rampage

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The Observer looks at a trio of bills by Rep. Debbie Riddle in which she tries to solve the immigration issue all by herself. Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, is launching a three-pronged attack on non-citizens this session. Prong 1: Hook … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Bradford announces for At Large #4, Pennington announces in G

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Greg Wythe

We know he had been contemplating the possibility, but now former HPD Chief C.O. Bradford has made it official: He’s going to run for the open At Large #4 City Council seat. From his email: Chief Bradford has been a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Expanded gambling: It isn’t just for race tracks any more

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Here’s an update to the story about the big expanded gambling bill that was filed yesterday. Slot machines also would be allowed at the state’s existing race tracks under the proposal by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas; … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Expanded gambling: It isn’t just for race tracks any more

Keller gets an extension

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Greg Wythe

News item: Sharon Keller, presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, now has until March 24 to answer charges that she violated her judicial duties by declining to accept an after-hours appeal from a death row inmate in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Keller gets an extension

Bills about cellphones and driving

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Lots of action in the cellphones and driving front for the Lege this session. In 2007, a proposed law [to restrict cellphone usage while driving] never got beyond a legislative committee. Four months later, a Houston motorist talking on a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

The primaries matter, too

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Greg Wythe

A whole lot of people voted for the first time last November, and a whole lot of people voted in the March primaries, too. But some number of the former were ineligible for the latter because they turned 18 between … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on The primaries matter, too

More SJL rumors

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Marc Campos stirs the pot. Commentary votes in the 18th Congressional District so I kind of think I know what I’m talking about when I say that I don’t know if Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s reelection in 2010 would be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010, Local politics | 1 Comment

KBH leads Perry in early poll

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Last week, the polling firm Public Policy Polling asked the readers of its blog which state they should do next. The readers, with a little help from us bloggers, picked Texas. PPP has the results of its first poll up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Comments Off on KBH leads Perry in early poll

Interview with Vidal Martinez and John Castillo

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Greg Wythe

As you know, I’ve been following the issue of Houston City Council redistricting with a lot of interest. After the lawsuit was filed a week ago Thursday, I wanted to speak to the protagonists and ask them some questions about … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Gambling poll

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Got a press release in the mail on Monday that claims there is broad support for expanded gambling in Texas – in particular, allowing slot machines at existing race tracks and on Indian reservations. I’ll point you to Texas Insider … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Sixty-five percent of nothing

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Greg Wythe

So back in 2005, after the regular legislative session and two ensuing special sessions on school finance, Governor Perry issued an executive order that would require schools to spend at least 65 percent of their tax money in the classroom. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 23

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The Academy would like to thank the Texas Progressive Alliance for its weekly blog roundup. The envelope, please… Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of February 23

Council campaign miscellania

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Just some notes and news about various Council campaign activities, collected and collated into one convenient location for you… Karen Derr will have an “old fashioned patriotic grand opening” of her campaign headquarters, which happens to be her house in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Son of Speaker complaining

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Greg Wythe

So yes, even in the post-Craddick era, there are still complaints about the Speaker by Democrats. Some of this is to be expected: You can’t satisfy everyone. Some of it is probably the result of over-inflated expectations. And some of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Son of Speaker complaining

ULI Mayoral candidate forum report

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Greg Wythe

As I am not a member of the Urban Land Institute of Houston, I did not get an invitation to their members-only Mayoral candidate forum on Thursday, which got a brief mention in the Chron on Friday. Fortunately, Andrew Burleson … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Hey, you – wanna run for judge?

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The following is an announcement from the Harris County Democratic Party. The Judicial Candidates Committee of the Harris County Democratic Party will begin interviewing prospective candidates for judicial office for the 2010 General Election on March 2. Interviews will be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | 2 Comments

Green to announce for City Controller

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I think everybody knew that term-limited City Council Member Ronald Green, who currently serves on At Large #4, was planning to run for the to-be-open position of City Controller. But if you didn’t, or if you were wondering what was … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Comments Off on Green to announce for City Controller

Steroid madness

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Can we please declare victory in the war on steroids in Texas high schools and move on to something more productive? Only 11 Texas high school students proved positive for steroid use among nearly 29,000 students tested in the last … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Ellis and Crownover on the smoking ban

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

State Sen. Rodney Ellis and State Rep. Myra Crownover have an op-ed arguing in favor of the statewide smoking ban legislation they’re sponsoring. I don’t know how persuasive their case may be to anyone who isn’t already in favor of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for February 22

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s the birthday edition link dump. Because the older you get, the longer your birthday lasts. If only Lois Lane had had access to facial recognition software. The Ridiculous Food Society of Upstate New York. They seem to like bacon. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for February 22

Pity the poor Astrodome

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

These sure are bad days for the old icon, aren’t they? The Astrodome will not host the rodeo’s nightly country-western dances next month, or any other special event for that matter, as city code violations that would cost millions to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

A step forward for Houston-Galveston rail

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

We know that Metro is hoping for some stimulus money to help build light rail lines. Galveston is also hoping for some rail-related stimulus funds. A commuter rail line between Galveston and Houston has been on the drawing board for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 6 Comments

The whys and wherefores of bus rapid transit

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Mean Green Cougar Red has a good discussion of what bus rapid transit (BRT) is and isn’t, and what its pros and cons are. The two main points: 1. The definition of “true” BRT is important. A lot of bus … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on The whys and wherefores of bus rapid transit

The case for Van de Putte

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Robert Ryland makes his case for a gubernatorial run by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. Go check it out and see what you think. That Facebook group is up over 300 members in less than two days, by the way. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Comments Off on The case for Van de Putte

Wilshire Village declared a fire hazard

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

That happened on Thursday. More from Swamplot here and here. What a bizarre end to such an eccentric little development. I just hope that when the owners finally get to tear the place down, as they seem to want to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Wilshire Village declared a fire hazard

The case against Keller

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Rick Casey reads through the Judicial Conduct Commission case against Court of Criminal Appeals Justice Sharon Keller, and finds that her actions were worse than even I had thought. We already knew that Keller and the other judges were aware … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 2 Comments

Our Hispanic future

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s happening now. In a new report on population trends in public schools, the Texas Education Agency reports that Texas now enrolls 130,000 fewer white children than 10 years ago. For the first time, Hispanic children dominate first-grade classes, adding … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

Why does Governor Perry hate sex toys?

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

From Scott Henson: Normally, the Texas Senate rubber stamps the Governor’s appointments to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, but one of Rick Perry’s three appointees announced last week perhaps deserves closer vetting by the Senate. According to the Governor’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 3 Comments

Friday random ten: You say it’s your birthday

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

In honor of my birthday this week, here are ten songs related to birthdays, getting older, and stuff like that. 1. Birthday – The Beatles 2. Rock and Roll Never Forgets – Bob Seger 3. Happy Birthday – Weird Al … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | 3 Comments

Roy announces

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Dream big, dude. A Republican elected official who twice ran unsuccessfully for Houston City Council is claiming a spot as the conservative choice in the nonpartisan campaign for mayor. Roy Morales, 51, elected in 2006 as a Harris County Department … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Van de Putte profile

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Really nice article in the SA Current about San Antonio’s Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic caucus leader and a rising national star who had a pretty busy year in 2008 and may be headed for bigger things next … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | 1 Comment

The HTA and the Times

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The New York Times wrote an editorial about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Unfortunately, they seem to have misunderstood what all the fuss is about. As many parents, and ultimately manufacturers, learned the hard way, the Bush administration … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on The HTA and the Times

CSI: Needs Improvement

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Looks like Gil Grissom got out at just the right time. Crime labs nationwide must be overhauled to prevent the types of mistakes that put innocent people in prison and leave criminals out on the street, researchers have concluded. A … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on CSI: Needs Improvement