Author Archives: Greg Wythe

Judicial conduct commission moves against Keller

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

About damn time. The state judicial ethics commission has charged Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of the state’s highest criminal court, with violating her duty and bringing discredit upon the judiciary when she declined to allow a death row prisoner … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Metro vote on light rail contract delayed

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Rats. Metro’s board Chairman David Wolff has called off [today]’s vote on a contract with the agency’s rail builder in favor of a special board meeting next month. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has been in negotiations with Parsons Transportation Group … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

I say it’s my birthday

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Apparently, this is a pretty busy week for blogger birthdays. Tuesday was Elise Hu and Stephanie Stradley; they both got cool presents befitting their bloggy stature to help them celebrate. Yesterday was Atrios‘ turn; I have no idea if he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 7 Comments

The Census and City Council redistricting

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Looks like Mayor White has an interesting ally in the city council redistricting debate. Frumencio Reyes, the dean of Houston-area redistricting litigation, said he believes the mayor made the right decision in putting off redistricting. […] Reyes, who has taken … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Stimulus for the schools

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Texas’ public schools are set to get some much needed stimulus money. Texas school districts can expect a jolt of more than $3 billion over two years under the $787 billion package ushered in by President Barack Obama’s administration. Under … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Reading and writing and social networking

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

From the “You kids don’t know what it was like!” files: Studying on your laptop is so 2007. A group of biology students at Houston Community College’s southeast campus just turns on iPhones. “Instead of bringing your book to class, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on Reading and writing and social networking

So about those stimulus funds

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Remember how Governor Perry had argued against states receiving federal stimulus dollars? Well, he still doesn’t want them, though he’s giving himself some waffle room. Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday he’s not sure the state should accept all of its … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Shady Acres candidate forum report

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I attended the District H candidate forum that was presented by the Shady Acres Civic Club last night. Eight candidates were in attendance: Gonzalo Camacho, Karen Derr, Yolanda Navarro Flores, Lupe Garcia, Ed Gonzalez, Hugo Mojica, Rick Rodriguez, and Maverick … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Voter ID already moving in the Senate

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I hope you’ve all enjoyed the relative quiet in the Lege these past few weeks, because it will be coming to an end soon. The controversial Voter ID bill that triggered a nasty Senate fight last month over a rules … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 8 Comments

All DNA, all the time

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Greg Wythe

How often should we collect DNA from someone who’s been arrested? Some people think the answer should be a lot more often than we do now. Texas is one of several states that draw DNA samples from anyone convicted of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, That's our Lege | 1 Comment

More on the safe passing bill

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Bike activist and frequent commenter Peter Wang gets some press. Bicyclist Peter Wang considers Houston traffic a tameable wilderness. He’s dodged his share of open car doors, but over the years, he’s learned how to maneuver around unaccommodating drivers. “You … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Another step forward for a statewide smoking ban

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The statewide smoking ban proposals picked up the endorsement of the state restaurant association. On Monday, the Texas Restaurant Association voted to support the measure – one they say would “level the playing field” for establishments across Texas. “With 28 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

TSTA poll on public education

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The Texas State Teachers Association released the results of its annual poll on attitudes towards public education in Texas last week. From the poll memo (PDF): Despite a declining national and state economy, a majority of Texas voters still maintain … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 3 Comments

A tale of two Orlandos

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Orlando Sanchez, speaking last week in a Statesman article about the statewide ambitions of Houston Mayor Bill White, who beat him soundly in the 2003 runoff: He doesn’t discount him but suggests White has gotten a free ride in his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 8 Comments

Mardi Gras Galveston

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Let the good times roll, y’all. The annual celebration [kicked] off this weekend, with all the parades, music and fun from past years. Sixteen krewes are marching and some are putting on longer parades and more floats for the event … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 16

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s time for another economically stimulating edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance’s Weekly Round-Up. No filibusters allowed. Click on for the highlights. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of February 16

Burnam files resolution to impeach Justice Keller

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

State Rep. Lon Burnam (D, Fort Worth) has dropped a little bomb called HR480, the text of which calls for “House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature [to] adopt the following procedures to consider the impeachment of Judge Sharon … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Poll Texas

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Public Policy Polling is doing a poll of a different kind – they’ve got an online poll up asking their readers where their next poll should be. One of the three choices is Texas – Senate and Governor – for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Comments Off on Poll Texas

Stardig announces in A

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

We now have a third official candidate in City Council District A, businesswoman Brenda Stardig, who I am told is outgoing Council Member Toni Lawrence’s preferred choice. She joins Alex Wathen and Jeff Downing, who have already filed their Treasurer’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Comments Off on Stardig announces in A

Some action on the rail construction front

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Finally. After two years of negotiations with two firms, the Metropolitan Transit Authority may be close to reaching a deal with a contractor to build and operate its next four light rail lines. “We’re in final negotiations,” said George Smalley, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Some action on the rail construction front

Tough times for local governments

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s gonna be a bad year. They’re not feeling the economic storm quite yet, but local governments across the Houston region are hunkering down anyway. Some have frozen hiring, others have stopped filling potholes. Planned purchases of police cars, golf … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Tough times for local governments

Please listen to Hank

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I’m not sure which depresses me more – that Hank Aaron feels the need to remind everyone that Barry Bonds is the home run king (and that Hank himself is just fine with that), or that there’s a bunch of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

Microbrewers to try again

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

May they have better luck this time around. A bill has been introduced in the 81st Texas Legislature to allow microbrewers to sell their product on the premises of the brewery. Such sales are currently allowed for winemakers, but not … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Microbrewers to try again

RIP, Terry Hayes

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Terry Hayes, an employee of the Houston Chronicle who wrote an award-winning blog that detailed her fight against terminal cancer, has died at the age of 42. Hayes spent five years as one of the newspaper’s essential support staffers, handling … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for February 15

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Just a few links to chew on while you’re polishing off that Valentine’s Day box of chocolates… Road-kill cleanup not all glamour for Comal’s ‘Undertaker’. Quick, get Mike Rowe on the phone. And I guess those aren’t such good links … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for February 15

Apparently, the sky really is falling

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

See here and here. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to duck and cover. Let us all hope that this isn’t a prelude to this: Look to the sky! Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

Multiways

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Andrew continues the ongoing discussion of transit options in Houston with a look at multiway boulevards. Basically, a multiway is an urban thoroughfare combining express through lanes in the middle with local access lanes on the sides. These local lanes … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Multiways

A peek inside Astrodome Studios

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

So we know that one of the ideas for what to do with the Astrodome is to convert it to a movie studio. But what might that look like? Swamplot has a sneak peek. We may be hearing more about … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on A peek inside Astrodome Studios

Movie night of the future

Posted on February 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

So I was reading this FireDogLake post that used the movie “The Wizard of Oz” as a metaphor for the changing of the guard in Washington, DC, and it got me to thinking about how I can’t wait till my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 4 Comments

Brown’s announcement coming

Posted on February 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

From the Peter Brown campaign. At-Large City Council Member Peter Brown will formally announce his candidacy for Mayor of Houston Thursday, February 26, 2009 11:30AM Program starts at noon. Houston Garden Center ( across from Miller Theatre, next to the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 2 Comments

Red light camera watch: League City

Posted on February 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Ready or not, here they come. League City council members gave the green light Tuesday to red light cameras at five intersections throughout the city. The cameras will capture drivers who run red lights at intersections at: FM 518 and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 4 Comments

OneSpot

Posted on February 14, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s always good when you see a story like this about a friend. Venture capital investing has taken a nosedive, but deals are still getting done: Two Austin Internet startups will announce deals today totaling $7.5 million. OneSpot, which has … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 1 Comment

Friday random ten: Beginning to see the light

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I’m not sure what motivated me to make a Genius list out of the Bobby Darin version of “I’m Beginning To See The Light” – I have two other versions of this song as well – because my experience with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

More on the city council redistricting lawsuit

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Here’s today’s version of the story, which adds a little more detail to yesterday’s. Population consultants and planning officials have said that redistricting now would require the city to rely on 2000 census data outlining population figures in voting precincts. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on More on the city council redistricting lawsuit