Monthly Archives: May 2005

The Phantom Professor

Posted on May 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Another catchup…The Chron reports on the Phantom Professor, a formerly-anonymous blogger who wrote in rather unflattering tones about her experiences teaching at SMU. For most of the past two semesters, nobody knew the identity of “The Phantom Professor.” The educator’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 5 Comments

Announcement from KBH?

Posted on May 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Is the worst kept secret in America about to become un-secret? The Red State says yes. According to a highly placed source in U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s camp, the Senator is likely to announce her intention to run for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Announcement from KBH?

Announcement in HD48

Posted on May 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Todd Baxter, a Republican who won in 2004 with the slimmest margin of any incumbent, now has an official challenger for 2006. The Quorum Report has a press release (Word doc) from Austin attorney Andy Brown. Andy Brown, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Thinking about Kinky

Posted on May 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Now that the holiday weekend is over, it’s time to start catching up on some stuff that I drafted for “later”. We’ll start with this PerryVsWorld analysis of how Kinky Friedman might affect the Governor’s race in 2006. Short answer: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 10 Comments

Let the analyses begin

Posted on May 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The major papers all have analyses of the finally-ended 79th Lege and how its performance will affect Governor Perry in his reelection battle. The consensus is more or less that Perry won a few and lost a few, and that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Let the analyses begin

Juan Garcia update

Posted on May 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

There’s been a Juan Garcia sighting, in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Politics seems to love Juan Garcia, the retired Navy pilot whose name had been thrown around earlier this year as a possible mayoral candidate. Questions remain, however, about whether … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Texas Political Bloggers page updated

Posted on May 30, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Political Bloggers page has been updated with all the new and new-to-me blogs that I could find. As always, if I’ve missed something, please let me know about it. I’ll be adding some of these blogs to my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 3 Comments

Is it over?

Posted on May 30, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

By the time you read this, sine die should have been proclaimed at the Capitol, so barring any more “special” sessions, we’re done until 2007. Lots of bills died at the end there, most justifiably so. HB2702 managed to squeak … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Is it over?

Express-News discovers blogs

Posted on May 29, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The San Antonio Express-News has added a few blogs to its online publication. I can’t say there’s anything there that grabs my interest, but they do have a decent variety of topics, and I like the idea of temporary blogs … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 1 Comment

And of course, school finance reform is dead

Posted on May 29, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

For the third time since 2003, an attempt to overhaul the tax structure in order to get rid of the so-called “Robin Hood” method of public school funding is dead. We’ve known it was dying for some time now, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 4 Comments

The Denny Amendment appears to be dead

Posted on May 29, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t say for certain, but it appears that the attempt by Rep. Mary Denny to restrict access to the ballot box by enforcing stricter ID requirements to vote are dead. The most recent news stories that I see give … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 4 Comments

The telecom bill is dead

Posted on May 29, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Quorum Report quotes Rep. Phil King offering a eulogy for HB789. Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) confirms negotiations on House Bill 789 and Senate Bill 743 have broken down irretrievably, with no hope of negotiating either bill. HB 789 was … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Down to the wire for the telecom bill

Posted on May 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

It’s down to the wire for everything, of course, as Lege business wraps up at midnight Monday morning, but the telecom bill, HB789 is going through the conference committee process to see if differences between the House and Senate versions … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

I’ve been memed

Posted on May 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Julia tagged me with one of those floating memes about music, so here goes: What is the total volume of musical files on your computer? Unless Tiffany has been downloading stuff on her own, basically zilch. I work in an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 2 Comments

Tom DeLay jumps the shark

Posted on May 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

This is what I get for being too drained from watching the Lost season finale to tune into Law and Order: Criminal Intent on its special night. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay accused NBC Thursday of slurring his name by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 6 Comments

Budget yes, school finance no

Posted on May 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The House and Senate have agreed to a budget. I have to say, with all the other stuff going on, I hadn’t even realized that there was a danger of no budget agreement. There may be thousands of bills filed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Budget yes, school finance no

Filibuster averted for now

Posted on May 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Sen. Rodney Ellis’ threatened filibuster against the Denny Amendment to SB89 was averted late last night thanks to a little deft maneuvering by Sen. Letitia Van de Putte. Senate Democrats were poised late Friday to start a filibuster on the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Filibuster averted for now

Rodney Ellis to the rescue?

Posted on May 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Despite widespread opposition to Mary Denny’s voter-suppression amendment to SB89, bill sponsor Sen. Kip Averitt appears to be set to let it come to the floor for a vote. The bill’s supporters, including state Sen. Kip Averitt, R-McGregor, disagreed that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 4 Comments

Start your weekend off with a little Blogger Radio

Posted on May 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll be on BizRadio 1320 at the usual time tomorrow (circa 10:15). This time, the plan is for us to pull into the Costco parking lot (Costco is on the way home from Olivia’s swim lesson) and let Tiffany and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 2 Comments

Election set for HD143

Posted on May 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry has set November 8 as the special election date to replace the late Joe Moreno in HD143. The governor set an Oct. 24 deadline for candidates to file their applications with the secretary of state. The race likely … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2005 | 3 Comments

Report from the Grand Parkway meeting in Spring

Posted on May 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron covered Tuesday’s public meeting on the proposal to expand the Grand Parkway as a toll road through Spring, and Anne adds a lot of detail to it. One thing I want to highlight: A question and answer session … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 5 Comments

Once more with “Freebird!”

Posted on May 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I blogged about the origins of shouting “Freebird!” at inappropriate concerts here. Ray in Austin begged to differ. Now Ray tells his story to the Houston Press. Will the Chicagoans respond to the challenge? This has been fun, so I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 2 Comments

What about Bob?

Posted on May 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

So the rumors out of the NFL owners’ meeting is that Houston didn’t actually have a real shot at getting Super Bowl 43, and the reason for that is McNair envy. Texans owner Bob McNair’s role with the NFL’s special … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

Mary Denny does not give up

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Dammit. There’s a lot of BS that goes on at the end of these legislative sessions, and a bad bill is never truly dead if it’s being pushed by a member of the majority party. Case in point: Mary Denny’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Schubert endorses Hardberger

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Via The Jeffersonian, third-place finisher in the San Antonio Mayoral race Carroll Schubert has endorsed Phil Hardberger. “Although he and I differ in party affiliation, I think what he brings to this is the mature leadership and fiscal responsibility that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2005 | 3 Comments

No muni Wi-Fi ban in Senate version of HB789

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The post title more or less says it all, though I should add that as it now reads, HB789 passed the Senate unanimously. Save Muni Wireless has the details from the debate. Here’s a summary of the bill: The Senate … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Statement from Chris Bell on TRMPAC ruling

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Chris Bell has released the following statement regarding the TRMPAC ruling: “Judge Hart’s ruling provides a good faith basis for the House Ethics Committee to now investigate Tom DeLay’s involvement with TRMPAC. The committee originally chose to hold off taking … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 4 Comments

TRMPAC loses civil suit

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The first domino has fallen. The treasurer of a political committee formed by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay violated Texas election code by not reporting hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and expenditures, a civil judge ruled … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 12 Comments

Is this the end for our heroes?

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Another day, another story about how they’re still not quite there on school finance reform and how to pay for it. The prospects of a public school property tax cut passing the Legislature dimmed Wednesday as House and Senate negotiators … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Written consent for traffic stop searches clears the House

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Scott brings the good news that a requirement of written consent for a search at a traffic is one step closer to reality. As Rep. Pena reports, there was an effort to kill it at the third reading, but it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

WiFi at Intercontinental Airport

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The good news is that Houston’s Intercontinental Airport has joined its rival Hobby in providing WiFi access. “This service will provide travelers a convenient way to update their laptop communications without having to seek out a special Internet connection,” said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 6 Comments

Announcement in HD52

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I hope we’ll see more announcements like this in the coming months. Karen Felthauser filed a campaign treasurer appointment on Thursday May 12, with the Texas Ethics Commission to run for State Representative for the 52nd District. Karen ran as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

More changes coming on KIOL

Posted on May 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Banjo brings us the news that 97.5 KIOL is fixing to change again, this time to an all-talk format. The Texas radio rumor mill is all abuzz about Cumulus Media’s soon-to-sign-on FM in Houston. The word on the street is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

OK, I’d call that a bad day

Posted on May 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve had my share of bad days, but nothing like what happened to Lair this afternoon. Geez. Glad everything got worked out in the end, dude. I’d say the karma scales should be tipped in your favor for awhile now. Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on OK, I’d call that a bad day