Monthly Archives: March 2007

Jessica’s Law and sales price disclosure

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Coming up in the Lege: As we know, discussion of HB8, the so-called “Jessica’s Law”, was tabled last week, to be picked up again today. According to Vince, a floor substitute that deals with some of the objections about the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Updating the River Walk

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating article about an ambitious plan to extend and update the San Antonio River system with more parks and other development. The study by TXP Inc. was commissioned by the San Antonio River Foundation, which will use it to bolster … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

And now the bad preservation news

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

A lot of good things have happened recently on the preservation front. From the Old Sixth Ward to help for bungalows to tax waivers for historic buildings, there’s been a lot of progress made. Unfortunately, things aren’t looking so good … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on And now the bad preservation news

Tulia: The Movie

Posted on March 5, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll make an increasingly rare trip to the theater to see this. After appearing in a string of thrillers and superhero flicks, it looks like Halle Berry is itching to get back to where she was after winning a best … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 2 Comments

John Edwards to visit San Antonio

Posted on March 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve had a visit from Barack Obama, and now it’s time for John Edwards to pay a visit to the Lone Star State. I expect to have more details later, but for now here’s what I know: WHAT: A rally … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Comments Off on John Edwards to visit San Antonio

A few thoughts about density

Posted on March 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a lot of good things that go along with the growth and increased densification of Houston’s inner core. Without going into a list, the short answer is that without growth, you get stagnation and decay. It’s a positive that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on A few thoughts about density

Microbrewery Free Trade Bill filed

Posted on March 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a little while since the last update on the effort by microbrewers to reform Texas’ Alcoholic Beverages Code, but I’m pleased to report that there is some action. From the press release: Friends of Texas Microbreweries, a coalition … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Microbrewery Free Trade Bill filed

Redistricting symposium

Posted on March 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry I missed this event on Friday. The University of Texas School of Law will host a symposium on Friday, March 2, about the 2003 Congressional redistricting in Texas, which is also the focus of a new book by adjunct … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Redistricting symposium

One more article about Culberson’s town hall meeting

Posted on March 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

If this and this weren’t enough for you about last week’s town hall meeting by Rep. Culberson that was mostly about the Universities line, there’s this, from the This Week section. Doug Childers, chair of RichmondRail.org, said he was pleased … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on One more article about Culberson’s town hall meeting

Casey on Davis and CHIP

Posted on March 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I didn’t get around to Rick Casey’s column on John Davis and his CHIP flip yesterday, but that’s okay, because the people you really need to read on it are Muse and Coby, both of whom had been taking a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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So long for now to Autry Court

Posted on March 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been hearing about rumors of an Autry Court renovation for so long that it’s a little hard to believe that it’s actually going to happen. Today the last game will be played at the old place, and when it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on So long for now to Autry Court

Are you ready for Ed?

Posted on March 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like the winner of the “Who Wants To Be Harris County Judge?” competition at the Tuesday Commissioners’ Court meeting will be former State Rep. and complete unknown Ed Emmett. While some in the Republican grass roots have pushed for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

The cronyism never stops

Posted on March 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

You have to give Rick Perry credit for consistency. In good times and in bad, whether he’s in trouble or he’s in clover, his first instinct is always the same: Appoint a crony to do whatever needs to be done. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on The cronyism never stops

“Speed of lightning, roar of thunder…”

Posted on March 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Why, Lord, why? Why dost thou smite thy humble servant so? What did my favorite childhood cartoon ever do to deserve such a fate? If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I’m going to go gnash my teeth and rend … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | Comments Off on “Speed of lightning, roar of thunder…”

No Council redistricting till 2010

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The on again, off again move to redraw Houston’s City Council districts while adding in two new ones is off again. Mayor Bill White has decided against adding two single-member districts to the City Council, delaying a move that some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

TYC roundup

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I have not paid close attention to the Texas Youth Commission scandal. I need to get myself up to speed on it, so here’s what I’m going to be reading: The Texas Observer story that got the ball rolling, written … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on TYC roundup

Say “Bye-bye, Bob” on Tuesday

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

We are officially in the very last days of Robert Eckels’ tenure as Harris County Judge. County Judge Robert Eckels will formally resign Tuesday and Commissioners Court may select his replacement, according to an agenda released today. […] The agenda … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Friday random eleven

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Why eleven? Because I miscounted. It’s Friday, what do you want from my life? Here’s ten eleven more songs from my experimental playlist: 1. “Graffiti Limbo” – Michelle Shocked. Another bargain bin find. Shocked was a Kerrville Folk Festival legend … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Friday random eleven

Bill filed to prevent future annexation of The Woodlands

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

You folks in The Woodlands can rest easy. You will not be assimilated. Well, maybe. Senate Bill 1012 would amend the state’s Local Government Code to allow cities and special districts to enter into regional participation agreements in which the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Bill filed to prevent future annexation of The Woodlands

Council approves WiFi contract

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Via Houstonist, I see that City Council has officially approved the contract with Earthlink to build the citywide WiFi network. The measure passed almost, but not quite, unanimously. The one holdout was Councilmember Addie Wiseman, who told the mayor she’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Council approves WiFi contract

Tax breaks for historic buildings moves forward

Posted on March 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Following up on an action item first raised in August, there is now a proposal to grant a full property tax waiver to buildings identified as historic as a means of helping to preserve them. The new tax incentive, which … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

More CHIP resistance

Posted on March 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

You’d think that if John Davis could figure out that CHIP enrollment needs to be done on an annual basis as it was before its 2003 disembowelment that anyone could figure it out, but you would be wrong. Lt. Gov. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

“Jessica’s Law” tabled till Monday

Posted on March 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The debate over HB8, the so-called “Jessica’s Law”, has been put off until Monday. Lawmakers put the brakes on fast-moving legislation that would allow for death sentences for repeat child sex offenders Wednesday, as key Republicans crossed the aisle and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

What does Kos know about TX-Sen?

Posted on March 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Kos notes Sen. Cornyn’s typically poor approval numbers, then goes on to tease us: Several names have bandied about by Texas Democrats, including turncoat Henry Cuellar (who I’d love to see crushed in a primary, his House seat going to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 20 Comments

How I feel about the state of the comics page today

Posted on March 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Lio speaks for me. Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 4 Comments

What’s in a misspelled name?

Posted on March 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Richard J. “Rick” Noriega. Well, sort of. Go click and you’ll see what I mean. He’s being a good sport about it (see comments). And a good entrepreneur, too. You have to like that. And as a reminder, you can … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | Comments Off on What’s in a misspelled name?

Saving DNA evidence

Posted on March 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Did you know that destruction of DNA evidence can and often is a part of plea bargains? That would be one way of heading off those pesky Innocence Project folks. Hey, if all you want is a result that will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Saving DNA evidence