Monthly Archives: April 2006

Colbert at the correspondents’ dinner

Posted on April 30, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

In case you managed to not see it, here’s video and a transcript of Stephen Colbert’s brilliant performance at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner last night. And here’s the press not getting the joke. Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 3 Comments

Harris and Radnofsky

Posted on April 30, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

David Harris writes about immigration policy as a national security issue, while Eric from Wampum adds some perspective from a Native American viewpoint. Meanwhile, Barbara Radnofsky is writing again on Capitol Annex, this time on the subject of funding for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Harris and Radnofsky

It’s still Mario

Posted on April 30, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, I’ll bet that Texans draft day party was a hoot. The Texans threw a draft-day party at Reliant Stadium on Saturday in anticipation of celebrating their selections with the fans. But the party changed into a Texans roast as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on It’s still Mario

A little love for Metro

Posted on April 30, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The headline to this story more or less says it all: “Group is kind to Metro”. Representatives from the Metropolitan Transit Authority weren’t derailed by stinging criticism or adverse comments on April 20, when they met with members of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Senate committee passes HB3 as is

Posted on April 29, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Not much drama in the Senate yesterday. A Senate committee passed the House business tax bill without making any changes Friday, greatly increasing the likelihood that it will become law. “This is an attempt to make sure that House Bill … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Mario who?

Posted on April 29, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t really claim to be a Texans fan, so I don’t have emotional investment in their rather curious draft choice. But judging from the reactions of others, Mario Williams had better be all that and a bag of chips … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 5 Comments

Why you should never say “How could it get any worse?”

Posted on April 29, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

With every lousy poll that comes out for the Republican Congress, you have to think that some of them have asked themselves if it were possible for things to get any worse. If so, I have bad news for them. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 6 Comments

I have been assimilated

Posted on April 28, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

As you can see from the sidebar, I’m now a two-fisted blogger. As of today, I’m the third political type to write for the Houston Chronicle’s reader blogs section. It’s called Kuff’s World, and it joins Texas Sparkle and Polimom, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 13 Comments

Free WiFi goes live in Austin

Posted on April 28, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned before that a free WiFi network, to be put in place for the World Congress of Information Technology, was set to go live in Austin. Well, today’s the day. Starting today, Austinites can get a free high-speed wireless … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on Free WiFi goes live in Austin

Call for contribution caps

Posted on April 28, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

A bill to limit campaign contributions to $100,000 per individual for state races has been filed. At a morning news conference flanked by a dozen or so of his colleagues, including five Republicans, House Bill 110 co-author Rep. Mike Villarreal, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Dear Lite Guv

Posted on April 28, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Matt has a copy of a letter, now circulating the Senate, signed by about a dozen citizens’ and teachers’ groups, that call on the Senate to reject the House’s approach and take positive action on school reform. In particular: Together, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Dear Lite Guv

Emergency paper ballots to be used in Bexar County

Posted on April 28, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Some more grist for the electronic voting machine mill: Bexar County will be forced to use emergency paper ballots for early voting in the May 13 municipal and school board elections, because their voting machine vendor cannot deliver a promised … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 2 Comments

Coleman on HB5

Posted on April 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

One of the five bills relating to the tax overhaul failed to make it through the House on Monday. That was HB5, which was responsible for raising the cigarette tax. All I knew was that it had been killed by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Coleman on HB5

Another day, another roundup on HB3

Posted on April 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

While we wait for the Senate Finance Committee to start work tomorrow, here’s a roundup of what’s being said about the current state of things. Chron: Perry sure, Dewhurst not so much Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday he is confident … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Another day, another roundup on HB3

Noriega on HB3

Posted on April 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to my conversation with Rep. Mike Villarreal, I also spoke to Rep. Rick Noriega about HB3 and the reasons why (unlike Rep. Villarreal) he opposed it. The highlights: – While he believes it’s not a bad idea to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Villarreal on HB3

Posted on April 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Mike Villarreal is a member of the Ways and Means committee, and one of eight Democrats in the House to vote in favor of HB3 on Monday. (A full list of who voted for what can be found … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Henley campaign headquarters opening

Posted on April 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Jim Henley, Democratic candidate for Congress in CD07, is having a grand opening of his campaign headquarters this weekend. Volunteers and Supporters: Please join us at the opening of the Henley for Congress Campaign Headquarters in Rice Village! When: Sunday, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Henley campaign headquarters opening

Bell asks Earle to investigate Perry

Posted on April 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Chris Bell has asked Travis County DA Ronnie Earle to investigate “whether Texans for Taxpayer Relief’s radio ads constitute an in-kind officeholder contribution illegally paid for by corporate funds that Rick Perry and his representatives appear to have helped raise.” … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Bell asks Earle to investigate Perry

Progress on Net Neutrality

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Agonist has bad news and good news on the Net Neutrality front. The Markey Amendment failed in committee 22-34. Democrats Rush, Green, Gonzalez, Towns, and Wynn all voted no on the amendment and betrayed the netroots. The rest of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Progress on Net Neutrality

Inaugural College Baseball Hall of Fame class announced

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your first set of inductees to the College Baseball Hall of Fame, currently under construction in Lubbock. Former USC head baseball coach Rod Dedeaux has been elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the College Baseball Foundation announced … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Inaugural College Baseball Hall of Fame class announced

Photo oops

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

First noted over the weekend, the story of Rep. John Carter getting his picture taken in Iraq with the son of Mary Beth Harrell, his opponent in November, made it to the Washington Post on Wednesday. Vast numbers of lawmakers … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Photo oops

Net neutrality update

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Just a quick update on the fight over Net neutrality. Sean-Paul has a good roundup of links and other information here. If you want a more technical description of the issues at hand, check out Kevin Drum, Crooked Timber, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Net neutrality update

What is the sound of one party debating?

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This really annoys me. One could read this Chron piece on how HB3 was passed and come away with the impression that the only debate over the bill was between conservatives who wanted to cut property taxes by raiding the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 4 Comments

Where we stand after Monday

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

In writing about what I think of the legislative action on Monday, I’m going to start with a long quote from Rep. Garnet Coleman, which I take from this useful Capitol Annex post that gives an overview of how everyone … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Where we stand after Monday

Play the “Lost” game

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The powers that be behind Lost have a new trick up their sleeve: An international, interactive game that will offer some information about the show. It will begin May 2 in the United Kingdom, May 3 in the U.S. and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 3 Comments

The East End BRT line

Posted on April 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Christof takes a look at the Harrisburg/East End LRT/BRT lines and the ongoing process to determine where they should go. Not too surprisingly, it’s a lot less politically charged than the Universities line. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on The East End BRT line

Rick Perry, record breaker

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve got to hand it to the Lone Star Project. They do come up with some original angles on current events. It has been more than 100 years since a Congressional District has been left without a Congressman for longer … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 3 Comments

The municipal WiFi shakedown cruise

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Dwight points to this article about some of the issues that the cities who have pioneered municipal WiFi service have encountered. Joe Lusardi’s friends back in New York couldn’t believe it when he told them he’d have free Internet access … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

HB3 passes

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Ultimately, the new business tax plan, written into HB3, passed the House on first reading last night. There’s still another round of approval for it before it goes to the Senate, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 3 Comments

75 things to love about Texas

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via Norbizness comes this Texas Monthly list of 75 Things To Love About Texas, there for the usual limited time. It’s a good idea, I think, to pause occasionally while the Lege is busy doing Lord knows what with school … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

Save the Internet

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Let me add my voice to those calling out for the preservation of Net Neutrality (I have posted on this in the past). What you need to know is here and here. The players in this drama are described here. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Save the Internet

Once again with a la carte cable

Posted on April 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Once again, the concept of a la carte pricing for cable television is in the news (see here and here for background). Pretty much everything you need to know about the debate is in the following paragraphs. In a preemptive … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 2 Comments

What is the Lege up to now?

Posted on April 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

As I understand it, the debate on HB3 will be going till midnight or so. That’s past my bedtime, so I’ll do a link roundup now and figure out the news in the morning. Here’s what we know so far. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on What is the Lege up to now?

Meet Ellen Cohen Wednesday night

Posted on April 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

If you’ve got the time for only one political event this week in Houston, this is the one to go to: The Houston Democratic Forum invites you to a General Meeting and Discussion with special guest Ellen Cohen Candidate for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Meet Ellen Cohen Wednesday night