Daily Archives: May 16, 2007

Is this the end of the line for HB218?

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll believe it when I see it, but David Dewhurst is apparently saying that he won’t be able to force HB218 through, because the Democrats are strong in their unified opposition to it. All I know is that I’ve got … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Another aspect of the Speaker’s race

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

It’s important to remember that Tom Craddick’s biggest supporters are the hardcore base of the Republican Party. His best strategy for staying in power is going to be to leverage that support as well as his vast financial resources to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 3 Comments

Andy Neill endorses Melissa Noriega

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Noel Freeman was the first of the runnerup City Council candidates to make an endorsement in the runoff, and now Andy Neill has followed suit. My Fellow Houstonians, As a registered Independent and a candidate for City Council during the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Joe Pojman speaks

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Since I’ve raised questions about the email that’s been sent twice now by the Texas Alliance for Life in support of Tom Craddick as Speaker, I thought I should put the response from its Executive Director Joe Pojman, which he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Senate at recess: Now what?

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Despite rumors of rules gamesmanship in the Senate, they have recessed for the day without taking up any House bills. That doesn’t mean the Dems are out of the woods on HB218, just that it’s been pushed back for a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Bonnen versus Bonnen

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

From the Texas League of Conservation Voters, the latest shenanigans by Rep. Dennis Bonnen: Chairman of the House Environmental Regulations Committee, Rep. Dennis Bonnen, is threatening to kill his own clean air bill, SB 12, to avoid a floor vote … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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That’s a marriage class I’d pay for

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Michael Croft takes the news of the “double or nothing” marriage license fees, stirs in the recent news of the strip clubs’ legal woes, and comes up with the obvious solution. You need to move back to Texas, dude. We … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 1 Comment

Response to Mayor’s response

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Following the Mayor’s letter to the editor over the Chron pension fund story, today we have a response from David Long, the executive director of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System. This is a long one, so I’ll put it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Dynamo Stadium deal being negotiated

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

We first heard about this last week, and now it’s official: The Houston Dynamo are talking to the city about building a stadium near Minute Maid Park. The Anschutz Entertainment Group, owners of the Dynamo, would bear the brunt of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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“The Bionic Woman” lives

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

God help me, I’m actually curious about this. The “Bionic Woman” is being called upon to rescue a desperate NBC from its ratings woes. A reworking of the ’70s comic-book adventure series is among the six new shows announced Monday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 2 Comments

More toll road maneuvering

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve just about lost track of where the whole toll road moratorium thing is now. I’m not even sure it’s appropriate to keep referring to an actual “moratorium”, given all the exceptions that have been larded in. In any event, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Marriage tax hike goes to Governor

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Dammit. I thought that stupid “healthy marriage” bill had been scuttled, but the Senate revived the concept, and now it’s on to Governor Perry’s desk. Despite its earlier protests of government intrusion into private lives, the Texas House approved a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Farmers Branch lawsuits filed

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As expected, the ratification of Farmers Branch’s anti-immigrant ordinance has spawned a round of lawsuits. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund wants a federal district court to restrain the Dallas suburb from enforcing the rental ban, which is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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