Monthly Archives: March 2007

Bohemian hippie attorney development update

Posted on March 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Remember this? (See here and here for more.) Via Houstonist, we have an update on the development, where concerns about the proposed closure of one block of Bolsover Street continue. Residents on both sides of the debate surrounding the project … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

More voices against “Jessica’s Law”

Posted on March 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Via Eye on Williamson cites the Taylor Daily Press quoting notoriously tuff-on-crime Williamson County DA John Bradley as follows regarding HB8, aka “Jessica’s Law”: “There are some bills known as ‘Jessica’s Law’ that tend to focus on increasing punishment that, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Are you ready to spring forward?

Posted on March 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Remember to set your clocks forward tonight, as Daylight Savings Time makes its early arrival this year. Be sure to check all of those electronic devices that normally handle the change on their own, too – like your computer, your … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Are you ready to spring forward?

TYC update: Hiring felons, and AG indifference

Posted on March 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I suppose given all that’s gone on with the TYC, we should consider this a small victory and move on. The Texas Youth Commission, reeling from a systemwide sex abuse scandal, is stopping a hiring practice that allowed convicted felons … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Mayor’s air cleanup plan scaled back and under attack

Posted on March 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I suppose this isn’t a surprise. Mayor Bill White has significantly scaled back a controversial plan to make Houston the first place in Texas with health standards for hazardous air pollutants, according to a draft circulated this week. The latest … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

A brief profile of some Council candidates

Posted on March 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The West U Examiner has a short profile of some of the candidates for the City Council special election; as it happens, these are the five candidates whom I’ve interviewed so far. (As a reminder, my interview with Melissa Noriega … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on A brief profile of some Council candidates

In politics, as in the comics, no one is ever truly dead

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Do you miss having Tom DeLay to kick around? Well, if you do, chin up. As reported by John Fund, he’s baaaaaack. Despite his antipathy toward liberals, Mr. DeLay joked that he’s happy to work with them. He told me … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 2 Comments

Looks like half a loaf for CHIP

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Previously, we heard the following from Rep. Sylvester Turner: Rep. Sylvester Turner told reporters this morning that the House Appropriations Committee will add money to the budget later today to fully restore cuts to the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Today, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Looks like half a loaf for CHIP

It’s not just the youth facilities

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

In case you think that the TYC scandal is as bad as it’s going to get, think again. Eighteen-year-old Erik Rodriguez was fighting off an assault from another inmate at the state juvenile prison in Corsicana when three other boys … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on It’s not just the youth facilities

Texas Ranger testimony on TYC

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The stuff is really starting to hit the fan in the Texas Youth Commission scandal. A Texas Ranger who investigated allegations of sexual abuse at a Texas Youth Commission school told lawmakers Thursday he saw “kids with fear in their … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Texas Ranger testimony on TYC

Toll road moratorium

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a rough session for the Trans Texas Corridor, hasn’t it? I’ve not followed all the ins and outs – Eye on Williamson has been an excellent source, as has Burka – but the general picture is clear, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Perry pushes cancer research fund

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Remember Rick Perry’s grand plan to fund cancer research? It’s now one step closer to reality. With the ambitious goal of finding a cancer cure, lawmakers filed legislation Wednesday that would invest up to $300 million a year to fund … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Demolition moratorium in Old Sixth Ward

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The proposed temporary ban on demolition in the Old Sixth Ward has been implemented. The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved a six-month ban on demolitions of historical buildings in the Old Sixth Ward neighborhood west of downtown. Even though … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Senate readies gambling expansion bills

Posted on March 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Is it time for the Biennial Push For Expanded Legalized Gambling again? Yes, I suppose it is. Sens. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and John Carona, R-Dallas, on today will tout a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize resort casinos in Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

This time we mean it: Council special election lineup really, truly set

Posted on March 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Disregard everything you read before. The lineup for the May 12 City Council special election is well and truly set. Well, maybe again. Retired Air Force officer Roy Morales will be a candidate in a special City Council election May … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 2 Comments

GLBT Caucus endorses Noriega

Posted on March 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston GLBT Political Caucus has made its tough choice and given its endorsement to Melissa Noriega. With two openly gay candidates, Noel Freeman and Ivan Mayers, running, the decision to endorse Noriega was not an easy one, but the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Woolley files bill to protect stem cell research

Posted on March 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

On “pro-life day” at the Lege, Rep. Beverly Woolley has filed a bill that will get her a little crosswise with the Republican base. Woolley, R-Houston, filed legislation to protect embryonic stem cell research and already has support from 64 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Roy Morales will be on the ballot

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I have just spoken to Roy Morales, and his campaign confirmed to me that he will in fact be on the ballot for the May special election, despite earlier published reports. It wasn’t clear what the problem was – it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 2 Comments

The field is (maybe) set for May

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve got a post regarding the field of candidates for the May 12 City Council special election up at Kuff’s World. Couple of points to add here, starting with this: “Looking at the field, you have to say Melissa Noriega … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on The field is (maybe) set for May

Area mayors complain about White’s environment plan

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor White’s plan to take action against some area polluters has caused some noses to get out of joint. The mayors of LaPorte, Baytown, Pasadena and Deer Park say White has no business invading their turf and feel snubbed because … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Possibly the last thing I’ll say about Ed Emmett for awhile

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Two notes from today’s story about the beginning of the Ed Era: Commissioners Court voted 4-1 to appoint Emmett. Commissioner Sylvia Garcia cast the only “no” vote, saying she preferred a caretaker who wouldn’t seek election to the office. She … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

A little do-gooding

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

According to the Texas Observer blog, there’s some good news for CHIP in the near future: Rep. Sylvester Turner told reporters this morning that the House Appropriations Committee will add money to the budget later today to fully restore cuts … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure you’re well aware by now that Scooter Libby was convicted on four of the five counts against him – one count of obstruction, two counts of perjury and one count of lying to the FBI; he was acquitted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty

Reactions to “Jessica’s Law” passage

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Just some linkage to give you a feel for how the passage of HB8 was perceived. Grits for Breakfast says the delay made the final bill worse. Vince thinks HB8 was heavily flawed due to the death penalty provisions. He … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Renovate the Alamo!

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The Alamo is getting a facelift. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who have safeguarded the shrine since 1902, are preparing the Alamo’s first master plan for upgrades since 1979. DRT officials said they can mitigate the destructive forces … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

The Ed Era begins

Posted on March 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to Ed Emmett on his selection as Harris County Judge. Commissioners Court, including outoing County Judge Robert Eckels, unanimously tapped Emmett for the job that includes presiding over the county’s governing body. Guess they finally got to Sylvia Garcia. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

A radio blast from the past

Posted on March 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I have confessed on this space before to having been a Stevens and Pruett fan from the good old days of 101 KLOL. I still think the decline and fall of that station can be traced to the breakup of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Perry declares TYC an emergency

Posted on March 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry took his sweet time in reacting to the problems with the Texas Youth Commission, but at least now the Lege can act quickly to try and fix some of those problems. Law enforcement officers would be stationed at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

The “Bill Ceverha Bill”

Posted on March 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Via Vince, State Rep. Todd Smith (R, Euless) has filed HB225, which could aptly be called the “Bill Ceverha Bill” because it would finally clean up that nasty and confusing little loophole in which a briefcase full of cash given … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Wal-Mart versus the knitters

Posted on March 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating article about the decision by Wal-Mart in Seguin to close its fabric department, and the outraged reaction that has drawn from the local sewing and knitting aficionados who have no other place nearby to go to get their supplies. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 1 Comment

Wrong way driving

Posted on March 6, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know that I have enough information after reading this article about wrong way drivers on freeways to know if the proposed solution of “wrong way driving detectors” on exit ramps will make a difference or not. It’s an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

The amended Jessica’s Law

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As noted by Karen Brooks, the amended HB8 is being debated on the floor. Here’s a summary of the changes, as provided to me: HB 8 FLOOR AMENDMENT SUMMARY: The proposed amendment creates a new offense, “Continuous Sexual Abuse of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

For whom the door revolves

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I find it interesting that of the three people the Chron cites as leaving elected office prior to the end of their term to become a lobbyist, none of them did so anywhere near the start of those terms as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Interview with Andy Neill

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve got Interview #2 in my series of conversations with City Council candidates, with Andy Neill, posted up at Kuff’s World. As always, please let me know what you think. The RSS feed for my Kuff’s World podcasts is here. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Interview with Andy Neill