Monthly Archives: February 2007

Red light camera collections: Better than first reported

Posted on February 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Last month it was reported that only 25% of drivers ticketed for running a red light in front of one of the cameras had paid the fine by the end of 2006. Many of these people had till the end … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Red light camera collections: Better than first reported

More pushback on Perry’s vaccine order

Posted on February 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Various Republican legislators have complained to Governor Perry about his Executive Suggestion that girls be vaccinated against HPV. State Sen. Jane Nelson, chairwoman of the Senate’s health and human services committee, said lawmakers should have been allowed to hear from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 7 Comments

Robinson Warehouse – The hole is bigger than I thought

Posted on February 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Been a little while since my last check on the Robison Warehouse site. There are a few things that are different, but the first thing to notice is that unlike some other recent demolitions, this site seems to have transitioned … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Robinson Warehouse – The hole is bigger than I thought

Rail options at UH

Posted on February 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing his tour of the rail routes that are on the table for the coming years, Christof looks at the impact on UH, where both the Southeast BRT GRT and the Universities light rail line will serve. There are some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Rail options at UH

You may already be the Super Bowl champion

Posted on February 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to the Colts on their Super Bowl victory. You might have seen some of them wearing official gear at the end of the game last night, proclaiming “Indianapolis Colts – Super Bowl XLI Champions”. The NFL has such items … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on You may already be the Super Bowl champion

The Allen House effect

Posted on February 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Nancy Sarnoff wonders if the imminent demolition and redevelopment of the Allen House apartments will cause a spike in rents around town. The day after the owner announced that the 896-unit complex would be torn down and replaced with an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Bradford for Sheriff?

Posted on February 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Isiah Carey reports about the likelihood of former HPD Chief C.O. Bradford running for Harris County Sheriff next year. It was last year when this rumor first surfaced and now I’m hearing from a credible source that former Houston Police … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 4 Comments

The time to start supporting John Cornyn’s opponent is now

Posted on February 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I agree with Smarty Pants. The time to start raising money for John Cornyn’s eventual opponent is now. (And no, whatever his flacks may say, it ain’t gonna be this guy.) If you’re on board with that, click here to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Not the kind of article I need to be reading right about now

Posted on February 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Houston’s traffic isn’t this bad, right? Right? If you think rush-hour traffic is frustrating, imagine what it was like for three women who gave birth in their vehicles because they couldn’t make it to the hospital along clogged Interstate 5. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 1 Comment

K-Fed apologizes to fast food workers

Posted on February 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Remember the fuss over K-Fed’s Super Bowl ad? Well, the man himself wants you to know that he meant no offense to fast food workers. Kevin Federline has something to say to those who are offended by an upcoming Super … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | Comments Off on K-Fed apologizes to fast food workers

Perry’s vaccination order

Posted on February 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

If you do a good thing for a bad reason, is it still a good thing? Acting on an issue that is stirring controversy in the Legislature, Gov. Rick Perry on Friday made Texas the first state to require girls … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 5 Comments

As The Island Floats

Posted on February 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Galveston County Judge Susan Criss has entered the blogosphere with one of the better-titled efforts I’ve heard of lately, As The Island Floats. Judge Criss has done some guestblogging before, and she’s already shown a flair for storytelling in her … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on As The Island Floats

TxDOT’s lobby money

Posted on February 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

One unnecessary state lobbying contract down, one to go. The dispute between Democrats and Texas Gov. Rick Perry over the hiring of Washington lobbyists for the state appeared to have ended last month when the governor canceled the controversial contracts. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Privatize the lottery?

Posted on February 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll say this about the Perry administration: They’re consistent about their desires. Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday that his State of the State address on Tuesday would include a plan to fully privatize the Texas Lottery by selling it to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | 3 Comments

The battle is joined in District I

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I know it’s early for the November City Council elections, especially when we have a May special election to worry about first, but it’s already clear that the highest profile race is going to be in District I, where current … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on The battle is joined in District I

The inmates are running the prisons

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve heard of prison labor, right? I daresay this isn’t what you think of when you hear that phrase. Tell me again why we need to build more prisons? Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on The inmates are running the prisons

Enron Broadband convictions tossed

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Last year, on their second attempt, federal prosecutors secured convictions against former Enron Broadband Services CFO Kevin Howard. Yesterday, those convictions were dismissed. A theory used by prosecutors and an instruction to jurors regarding deliberations prompted U.S. District Judge Vanessa … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Enron Broadband convictions tossed

Richard Raymond’s video blog

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Richard Raymond has joined the ranks of blogging legislator, and he’s upped the ante by doing a video blog. From the press release: “Technology has given us an opportunity to keep our constituents more fully informed on the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Richard Raymond’s video blog

Last Harry Potter book due July 21

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

How big do you think the Day One sales for this will be? The last installment of the Harry Potter saga will be published on 21 July, author JK Rowling has announced. She confirmed the date fans will be able … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Comments Off on Last Harry Potter book due July 21

Eckels contemplates resignation

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s big local politics news is the announcement by Harris County Judge Robert Eckels that he may step down to take a higher-paying private sector job. “In the last 90 days I’ve had conversations with a New York firm and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

Help the Beer Can House

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

From the Orange Show mailing list: CALLING BEER VOLUNTEERS! Our Volunteer Happy Hours at the Beer Can House have been so successful and productive that we’re extending the fun for two more Thursdays (Feb 1st & 8th). So bring your … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Help the Beer Can House

Mayor proposes preservation ordinance for Old Sixth Ward

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor White has taken another step towards real preservation in Houston by outlining an ordinance to help the Old Sixth Ward. He proposed creation of a special district within the neighborhood west of downtown with design guidelines for new construction … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

The NYT’s appropriate obit for Molly Ivins

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Last night, I mentioned that Molly Ivins hated being copy-edited by the New York Times, because they excised every bit of color she put into her writing; the best example was when “a beer gut that belonged in the Smithsonian” … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

Compromise looming on 60-day rule

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday, we were led to believe that the failure to suspend the 60-day rule meant a whole lot of nothing for the House in the immediate future. (The fact that this impression is substantively wrong in many respects is beside … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Compromise looming on 60-day rule

A more pointed response regarding Richmond rail

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Christof picks up the slack in the latest Universities line debate. Combine it with his look at the options for the Universities line, and now you’ve got a more comprehensive response to the Culberson op-ed from Sunday. Check ’em out. Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Sale of Comets completed

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As noted last week, the sale of the Comets to Hilton Koch has been completed. The WNBA board of governors has approved sale of the Comets to Hilton Koch/Hilton Acquisitions, LLC, Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced [Wednesday] at Toyota Center. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment

Ellis to present statewide smoking ban measure today

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday, the Chron reported about Sen. Rodney Ellis’ announcement that he was filing legislation to ban smoking in public places throughout Texas, in a similar fashion as many municipal smoking bans. (We knew this was coming.) I was waiting for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 3 Comments

More treatment, fewer prisons

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve blogged before about Texas’ prison population and why it’s a problem of our own making and not one of inevitable demographics (see here and here for examples). On Tuesday, the relevant House committee heard some testimony from an expert … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on More treatment, fewer prisons