Daily Archives: October 24, 2007

Council to vote on Woodlands deal today

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

On the Council agenda today: the deal to not annex the Woodlands. Woodlands residents have begun early voting on three ballot propositions related to the area’s future. Although unable to vote on the agreement themselves, the residents will decide whether … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Token tax cut passes

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Commissioners Court has approved the token tax cut that was proposed last week. Here’s all you need to know: The cut will save the average homeowner whose home is worth about $161,000 about $12 annually. Corporations with large … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

Now what for Noriega?

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s today’s Chron story about the state of the Senate race, now that it’s just Rick Noriega pursuing the Democratic nomination. Noriega said he is not worried as much about how to run the campaign as to make sure it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Now what for Noriega?

Interview with Paula Harris

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I thought I was done with candidate interviews for this election cycle, but after I posted that I heard from Paula Harris, who is running for HISD Trustee in District 4, and made an arrangement to talk to her. Harris … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Observer versus DPS in court today

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the day that the Texas Observer tries once again to get the Department of Public Safety to hand over some security tapes so it can see if GOP sugar daddy James Leininger was illegally lobbying the Lege inside … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Crime lab review panel begins its work

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The panel appointed by the district court judges to review and take action on the remaining cases affected by the HPD Crime Lab problems has gotten underway. Harris County judges Monday began re-examining 180 criminal convictions involving problematic Houston crime … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Crime lab review panel begins its work

Scaife v Scaife

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Oh my God. This story of the incredibly messy, vicious, and tawdry divorce fight between right-wing sugar daddy Richard Mellon Scaife and his second wife Margaret Ritchie Scaife, is the guiltiest pleasure I’ve had in awhile. Just read this bit, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Why lotteries make me queasy, in a nutshell

Posted on October 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve expressed my ambivalence about state-sanctioned gambling before. On the one hand, I’ve got enough civil libertarian in me to be wary of outlawing clearly popular activities like gambling. On the other hand, the gambling industry, especially the state lottery … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | Comments Off on Why lotteries make me queasy, in a nutshell