Monthly Archives: December 2007

A private Grand Parkway toll road?

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This could open up a sixpack of worms. A joint venture led by a road construction company and an engineering firm has asked Harris County to enter into a public-private partnership to build and operate the 197-mile Grand Parkway as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Bowie Kuhn?

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The Veterans Committee has enshrined a half dozen executives and managers, and their list contains a surprise. At last, Bowie Kuhn beat Marvin Miller at something. The late commissioner was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday while … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 2 Comments

Early voting ends today for Council/HISD runoffs

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the last day to vote early for the City Council/HISD runoff elections. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM at one of these fine locations. If your experience is anything like mine was, when I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Early voting ends today for Council/HISD runoffs

Tarrant’s progress

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The Democrats up in Tarrant County are feeling pretty good about their chances to make electoral gains next year. Local Democrats are feeling a new sense of urgency to put up a fight in every race, even the long shots. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Tarrant’s progress

It’s official: Criss versus Yanez for Supreme Court Place 8

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

It appears that the Criss/Yanez dilemma, in which sitting Judges Susan Criss and Linda Yanez have announced their intention to run for the same State Supreme Court seat, will not come to a resolution that allows both candidates on the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Amber Moon in HD144

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

At the bottom of Clay Robison’s column yesterday is a mention about what should be another one of the high profile State House races for next year: Amber Moon, communications director for the Texas Democratic Party, is thinking about returning … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of December 3

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As we race towards the finish line for 2007, there’s always time to pause for another weekly roundup of the Texas Progressive Alliance blogs. Coming soon: an announcement of the 2007 Texan of the Year. See Vince for more on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of December 3

Filing news: Murphey and McDavid

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll be doing quick hit posts like this as news of various candidate announcements comes my way… I received a press release from a fellow named Sam Murphey, who is running as a Democrat in HD55, the open seat that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Filing news: Murphey and McDavid

Noriega kicks it off

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Exploring no more, Rick Noriega is now officially a candidate for Senate. State Rep. Rick Noriega, of Houston, officially filed today as a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. Noriega called the war in Iraq an occupation and assailed incumbent U.S. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Statement from Annette Dwyer on District E runoff

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(I have asked the candidates involved in next Saturday’s runoff to send me a brief statement saying why people should vote for them in that runoff. I will run the responses for candidates for each race concurrently. This statement is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Statement from Annette Dwyer on District E runoff

Will Phil King be this year’s Kent Gruesendorf?

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

One can only hope that Rep. Phil King will meet a similar fate as his former colleague Kent Gruesendorf did. But at least he’s got a challenger, one with a pretty extensive resume, and that’s a good start. Former U.S. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Statement from Michael Sullivan on District E runoff

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(I have asked the candidates involved in next Saturday’s runoff to send me a brief statement saying why people should vote for them in that runoff. I will run the responses for candidates for each race concurrently. This statement is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Statement from Michael Sullivan on District E runoff

More on HDs 52 and 46

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Today is opening day for Filing Season, so we political junkies are going to be up to our clavicles in news, gossip, and speculation for the foreseeable future. I’m going to do my best to keep on top of things, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on More on HDs 52 and 46

Paper or plastic?

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Are plastic bags evil? Some places think so. In recent years, countries from Ireland to Australia have passed laws to cut use of plastic bags. But the movement only recently gained momentum in the U.S. While plastic bags were not … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 10 Comments

Questioning the commissioners’ campaign spending

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron continues its reporting on the campaign finance habits of Commissioners Court with a piece on how they spend all that loot they raise. In filings dating to January 2006, several commissioners, most notably Steve Radack and Jerry Eversole, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Death of Facebook predicted: Film at 11

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Via Dwight, Cory Doctorow says Facebook is doomed. Having watched the rise and fall of SixDegrees, Friendster, and the many other proto-hominids that make up the evolutionary chain leading to Facebook, MySpace, et al, I’m inclined to think that these … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | 1 Comment

Intelligent design and the TEA

Posted on December 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Missed this from last week: The state’s director of science curriculum has resigned after being accused of creating the appearance of bias against teaching intelligent design. Chris Comer, who has been the Texas Education Agency’s director of science curriculum for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 3 Comments

Walle will file for HD140 on Monday

Posted on December 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

After you’ve had breakfast with Rick Noriega on Monday, you can head north to HCDP headquarters and wish Armando Walle well as he officially files for HD140. Here’s the press release: Armando L. Walle, Democratic candidate, will file for District … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Dukes draws a primary opponent

Posted on December 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Of all the Craddick Democrats, I figured Austin’s Dawnna Dukes would be the first to draw a primary challenger this year. Travis County has one of the strongest organizations in the state, they have few Republican targets to aim at, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Dukes draws a primary opponent

Reports on the effects of the smoking ban

Posted on December 2, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Back when the city passed its more comprehensive smoking ban, there was a lot said by folks in the local music industry about how this would kill the bars, especially those that feature live music. I’m glad to see that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 4 Comments

Endorsement watch: Runoff edition

Posted on December 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Almost missed this today: The Chron makes its endorsements for the four runoff elections. Jolanda Jones, Houston City Council At-Large Position 5 — Jones is a family and criminal law attorney who helped bring attention to shortcomings in the Houston … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Runoff edition

RIP, Evel Knievel

Posted on December 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

And another icon of my childhood has passed away. Evel Knievel, the red-white-and-blue-spangled motorcycle daredevil whose jumps over Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho’s Snake River Canyon made him an international icon in the 1970s, died [Friday]. He was 69. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

Statement from Jolanda Jones on At Large #5 runoff

Posted on December 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(I have asked the candidates involved in next Saturday’s runoff to send me a brief statement saying why people should vote for them in that runoff. I will run the responses for candidates for each race concurrently. This statement is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Statement from Jolanda Jones on At Large #5 runoff

Statement from Joe Trevino on At Large #5 runoff

Posted on December 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(I have asked the candidates involved in next Saturday’s runoff to send me a brief statement saying why people should vote for them in that runoff. I will run the responses for candidates for each race concurrently. This statement is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Statement from Joe Trevino on At Large #5 runoff

GOP will use paper ballots in Wharton County

Posted on December 1, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like we’ve got our first successful rebellion against electronic voting machines in Texas. On whether computerized electronic voting machines are reliable and secure, the Republican leadership in Wharton County votes “no.” Precinct chairmen in the county southwest of Houston … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 2 Comments