Monthly Archives: June 2006

Sanctuary

Posted on June 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

So according to this story, one of the motivating factors in the petition drive to force a vote on HPD’s policy on checking immigration status is the meaning of the phrase “sanctuary city”. I think the whole thing is a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

The Yates 2.0 jury

Posted on June 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I found this story about the voir dire for Andrea Yates retrial jury fascinating. The seven women and eight men chosen for the new jury Thursday each had to agree they could set aside what they previously heard or learned … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 4 Comments

Strayhorn and Kinky Yes, Stockman No

Posted on June 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not at all surprised that Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman qualified for the ballot. Given the number of signatures they collected, the only question was how many of those sigs would be validated. What is a surprise is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 13 Comments

Straight ticket Texan

Posted on June 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

If you haven’t done so already, please go to the Forward Together PAC Map Changers page and give your support to the straight Texan ticket. Right now, Chris Bell is #2, and rumor has it that John Courage is just … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Straight ticket Texan

Away from my desk

Posted on June 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll be tied up with family business through the weekend, and will have limited time for any blog-related program activities. Fortunately, I have activated the Emergency Guest Blogger network, so there should be some new stuff here whether or not … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Administrivia | 1 Comment

Grow, San Antonio

Posted on June 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Way to go, San Antonio. Only perpetually booming Phoenix added more people than San Antonio and Fort Worth in the year ending in July 2005, according to the Census Bureau’s annual city population estimates released Tuesday. However, the figures don’t … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Another dumb idea

Posted on June 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t really have much to say about this ugly plan to turn the Houston Police into an arm of the INS. Let’s put aside the question of why the movers behind this idea want to turn a federal problem … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

One helpful grandma

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s my nominee for Quote Of The Year, Unexpected Source division. Despite her protestations now, Bell said, Strayhorn once advocated privatizing the children’s Medicaid-eligibility system and changing rules for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, changes at least partly blamed for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on One helpful grandma

Another contender for Treasurer

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

From the “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss” files, we have a new contender for the GOP nomination for Harris County Treasurer: Former Harris County Treasurer Don Sumners. “It’s going to be a fight, but I’m up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 3 Comments

Fundraising update – State House

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I was sent the following from Capitol Inside, which I pass along for your enlightenment: Republicans reaped the lion’s share of headlines but Democrats raised the most cash for Texas House and Senate campaigns during the special session on schools … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Fundraising update – State House

Anna on the TDP voter data file

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Anna has a long post about the Texas Democratic Party charging candidates for access to its voter database file. I’m not as convinced as she that this is a bad thing, and I don’t think the prices they ask are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 5 Comments

Sanity reigns at Commissioners’ Court

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

One less dumb idea for me to worry about. Rejecting the temptation of a multibillion windfall, Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously today to continue running the county’s lucrative toll road system rather than selling or leasing it to a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Mapchangers, Round 2

Posted on June 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve mentioned the Mapchangers competition before. They’re on to Round Two, in which you can select up to five candidates from the East and West regions for the $5000 contribution from Forward Together PAC and a chance to have a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Mapchangers, Round 2

Safavian convicted

Posted on June 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The first trial connected to the Jack Abramoff scandals has ended with a conviction. Former White House official David Safavian was convicted of hiding his aid to lobbyist Jack Abramoff and obstructing an inquiry into their trip to Scotland, in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 7 Comments

SOS to rule on Strayhorn and Friedman

Posted on June 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

We may know as soon as Wednesday if the Texas Secretary of State has validated the petition signatures of Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman, thus giving them each a slot on the November gubernatorial ballot. Spokesman Scott Haywood said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on SOS to rule on Strayhorn and Friedman

Rain, rain, go away

Posted on June 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I know y’all don’t come here for weather reports, but I’ve got to say “Enough already!” Houston escaped the heaviest rains overnight, but forecasters warned this morning that the ingredients for violent thunderstorms remained in the area. Shortly before 5 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Burnam and Dunnam on the budget

Posted on June 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

A couple of Democratic State Reps are out there on the op-ed pages making the case that what happened in the Lege this past spring did not represent success in dealing with school finance. First, Rep. Lon Burnam chides the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Burnam and Dunnam on the budget

US290, meet I-10

Posted on June 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Those of you who live, work, and/or commute along the US290 corridor, I hope you’ve been paying attention to the Katy Freeway construction, because you’ll be experiencing it soon. Proposed improvements to U.S. 290 and Hempstead Road will affect a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Twenty days

Posted on June 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Greg notes that the twenty-day period in which Governor Perry has to call an emergency special election to fill a Congressional vacancy is ticking away with no indication that one will be called. He wonders if there may be some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Twenty days

Democratic Caucus town hall

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Want to ask a Texas Democratic Congressperson a question? Here’s your chance. We invite you to join us on Wednesday, June 21st at 3pm EDT for the inaugural Regional Online Town Hall Meeting for Region 6 to discuss issues of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Democratic Caucus town hall

Libertarians!

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve got a look at the state of the Libertarian Party in Texas over at Kuff’s World. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Libertarians!

Tax calculators

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron gives an overview of the new school tax along with a calculator to help you determine what your rate might be this year and next. Emphasis on “might”, for this is how they disclaim it: Remember that this … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Yates jury selection

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Jury selection for the Andrea Yates trial 2.0 begins tomorrow. The first half of a 120-person panel will begin answering questionnaires intended to help attorneys gauge who can fairly and impartially decide whether Yates knew right from wrong when she … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 2 Comments

Candidate Q&A: Chuck Silverman

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing with my program of Q&As with local judicial candidates, today I bring you Chuck Silverman: 1. Who are you and what are you running for? I am Chuck Silverman, a 46 year old native Texan and I’m running for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Candidate Q&A: Chuck Silverman

More economic analysis of toll road selloffs

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Following up on the Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on More economic analysis of toll road selloffs

Don’t Get Stapled

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been remiss in not mentioning the entertaining blog Don’t Get Stapled before now. It’s written by a pseudonymous supporter of Democratic candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Hank Gilbert, whom I interviewed at the convention. You know how some candidates just … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Star Trek…nothing but Star Trek…

Posted on June 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I love this story about Star Trek fans filling the TV void with their own productions. From these Virginia woods to the Scottish Highlands, Star Trek fans are filling the void left in a galaxy that has lost Star Trek. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 4 Comments

It’s a precinct chair’s world

Posted on June 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron throws a little love to the GOP precinct chairs of CD22 as they gear up to select a replacement for Tom DeLay. “We’ve been discovered,” said Harris County precinct chair Kathy Haigler. “We are the lowest level of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

ActBlue active for Texas

Posted on June 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Our appeal for ActBlue was successful – thanks to everyone who donated, ActBlue will be activated for Texas state races. You’ll be hearing much more about this in the coming weeks. I’m pleased to see that Dallas Blog picked up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on ActBlue active for Texas

Implementing the Mayor’s clean air plan

Posted on June 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Following up on the earlier report about the air quality situation in Houston, City Council Member Carol Alvarado, a native of the most-affected area, writes an op-ed in the Chron that gives a call to action. The state Legislature meets … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Implementing the Mayor’s clean air plan

Selling toll roads: Fear it

Posted on June 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Those of you who use Harris County’s toll road system on a regular basis, read this and think about the implications. The Harris County toll road system could be sold for as much as $20 billion, but only if the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

DeLay lawsuit shifts to federal court

Posted on June 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The lawsuit filed by the Texas Democratic Party to block the Republican Party of Texas from replacing Tom DeLay on the November ballot in CD22 has been moved to federal court. State Republicans filed papers Thursday to move from state … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 7 Comments

Garnet Coleman profile

Posted on June 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a nice profile of State Rep. Garnet Coleman in the Progressive States Network. Coleman’s one of the real good guys, so it’s always a pleasure to see him get a little attention. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Garnet Coleman profile

My good deed of the day

Posted on June 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I just finished setting up my mother-in-law with her DSL connection. She’s already marvelling at how much it beats the pants off of dialup. In the vernacular, this makes me a Good Boy. I’m taking the rest of the day … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 2 Comments