Monthly Archives: December 2008

Followup on the Libertarian effect in the House

Posted on December 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to the possible HGLBT endorsement backlash effect, another thing I talked about before the election that I said I’d look at again afterward was the Libertarian effect on the State House. You may recall that an emissary for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

From the “Everything old is new again” files

Posted on December 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Reading this story about concerns over motorcycle safety rang a bell for me. The rash of serious motorcycle accidents in Deer Park reflects a nationwide trend. It prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Deer Park police and Harris County … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Privatized parking

Posted on December 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So, you think Houston has expensive parking meters downtown? It could be worse. If you plan to park at a meter anywhere in Chicago, get ready to carry plenty of change: rates will likely quadruple next month for most spots … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Privatized parking

More Senate scrambling

Posted on December 11, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Vince does an overview of the jockeying for Kay Bailey Hutchison’s eventually-to-be-open Senate seat, and in the midst of a thorough job makes a curious statement: As for Democrats, John Sharp is, as we previously noted, a sure thing. Sharp … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More Bettencourt

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We need to get a replacement for Paul Bettencourt soon, if only to stop the wild speculation about who that replacement might be. The most intriguing scenario mentioned so far involves the possible nomination of Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, who would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Get on the bus for Bell

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Are you in Austin wishing you could be in Houston to help Chris Bell?, Well, your wish has come true. The Travis County Democratic Party and Education Austin are proud to help Congressman Chris Bell by providing a blockwalking bus … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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TxDOT asks to be stimulated

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

TxDOT to Congress: Stimulate me, baby! Texas transportation officials have sent the state’s congressional delegation a $6.2 billion list of ready-to-go road projects on the chance a stimulus package is approved, including nearly $677 million for the Houston area. Critics, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: North by northwest

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve speculated that there won’t be much Congressional action in Harris County in 2010. Certainly, CD22 is unlikely to be seriously challenged, and I doubt anyone will have the stomach or the wallet to make like Michael Skelly in CD07, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Julian Castro announces for San Antonio Mayor

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Former San Antonio City Council member and 2005 runnerup for Mayor Julian Castro is running again for that city’s top job, joining current Council member Diane Cibrian and local businesswoman Trish DeBerry. “Like mayors past, I look forward to forging … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Gas prices down, ridership up

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

It wasn’t much of a surprise to hear that mass transit ridership was up when gas was selling for $4 a gallon. Now that pump prices are less than half of that, it turns out that ridership is still up. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Tough times for recycling

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Bummer. There are no signs yet of a nationwide abandonment of recycling programs. But industry executives say that after years of growth, the whole system is facing an abrupt slowdown. Many large recyclers now say they are accumulating tons of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Magnet school transportation

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

A few weeks back, HISD Superintendent Abe Saavedra wrote an op-ed that discussed the state of HISD’s magnet programs and the costs associated with them. One item has caused alarm among parents and activists: As we continue to move the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: The appeals courts

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Somewhat lost in the shuffle of the near-Democratic sweep of the Harris County judiciary this year was the near miss in the five races for the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals, which cover Harris and nine surrounding counties. Jim … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Commissioners Court starts considering replacements for Bettencourt

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time for Harris County Commissioners Court to start picking through the many hopefuls who want Paul Bettencourt’s job and choose a replacement. At least two dozen names were being floated, including potential Houston mayoral candidate Bill King, ousted District … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Early voting is going on now in SD17

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Today is Day Two of early voting in the SD17 runoff, which continues through Friday. As a reminder, you can find early voting locations for Harris County here, and for Fort Bend County here; locations for Galveston County are at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of December 8

Posted on December 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting is going on now for the SD17 runoff. Have you done something to help Chris Bell yet? That doesn’t have anything to do with this week’s Texas Progressive Alliance roundup, but it needs to be said anyway. Click … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Sharp is in for Senate, whenever that is

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We don’t know when – or, indeed, even if – Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign her seat in the Senate. It’s conceivable that she could remain in the Senate while campaigning against Rick Perry in the GOP primary for Governor, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged | 2 Comments

The financial crisis and the Astrodome Hotel

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Financial crunch may stall effort on Astrodome hotel. Boy, nobody could have seen that one coming. Before the financial markets tightened, Astrodome Redevelopment Co. was prepared to put up $150 million in equity — much coming in the form of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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A look ahead to 2010 in Harris County

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve spent some time recently talking about what might happen – more accurately, what I’d like to see happen – in 2010 at the state level. In this post, I’d like to contemplate what might happen locally. It’s clear that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged | 3 Comments

King for Council?

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Previously, I had noted a report that potential Mayoral candidate Bill King was thinking about dropping out of that race. Now it looks like he’s contemplating a different race. Bill King, once talked about as a definite mayoral candidate, may … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Gen. Shinseki to head Veterans Affairs

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

While I’m sorry that Rick Noriega will not get the job as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, I certainly can’t argue with the selection of Gen. Eric Shinseki, who has displayed remarkable courage and foresight throughout his career. I’m glad to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Another UH-Downtown renaming update

Posted on December 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

UH-Downtown, which has been pursuing a new name and a more distinctive identity, is getting closer to making a decision. Leaders have proposed changing the name to give the 34-year-old university a stronger identity, saying too many people think it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for December 7

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

A little later than usual, but that’s the kind of weekend it was… The Ten Best George Bush Photos Ever. And just think, in 47 more days, we can all begin to forget that he ever existed. Link via PDiddie. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Bettencourt speaks

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron is finally able to reach Paul Bettencourt for a comment on his sudden resignation. “I’ve had a wonderful 10 years of service with great people at the office who have done good things for the taxpayers of Harris … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Bell again

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron re-endorses Chris Bell in the runoff for SD17. With his commitment to bolstering public education, reining in college tuition increases, and controlling skyrocketing insurance premiums, the Chronicle believes that Chris Bell is the best candidate to represent the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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HD105 recount concluded

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Just call her Landslide Linda. Republicans maintained their two-vote majority in the Texas House of Representatives on Friday after election officials completed a recount in a Dallas County race. Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, led her Democratic opponent Bob Romano by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Tolerance Bridge

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I love the design concept of this thing. Mayor Bill White on Wednesday unveiled plans for the “Tolerance Bridge,” a $7 million project built with public and private funds that will connect pedestrian and bike trails along Allen Parkway with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Still more on Bettencourt

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

PDiddie, Greg, and Burka all comment on the Bettencourt resignation, with the latter positing a reason for the sudden departure: [I]f he had remained in office, the chances were that things would have gotten rather unpleasant for him. Democrats had … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008, Local politics | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A little more on Bettencourt

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The updated version of the Bettencourt resignation story has his statement, a brief summary of his career, and a couple of statements from folks like Jared Woodfill (who not too surprisingly loved him) and Gerry Birnberg (who not too surprisingly … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Tagged , | 5 Comments

The Kay and Rick show gets ready to take it on the road

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Remember when there was some space between one election cycle and the next? Those were the days, my friends, those were the days. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison showed she’s serious about running for governor in 2010 on Thursday by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The Cynthia Chronicles

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

In a way, you have to admire State Board of Education member Cynthia Dunbar. It can’t be easy to establish oneself as the craziest person on that undistinguished body, given the fierce competition that exists for that title, yet she … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Bettencourt resigning

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Whoah. I did not see this coming. Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt has resigned, effective Dec. 10. Bettencourt, who was elected to his third term last month, turned in a letter of resignation to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Bell on the air

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Your daily reminder that the runoff election for SD17 is just around the corner: Early voting for the runoff starts Monday. You can help get the vote out for Chris Bell. Among other things, you can sign up for virtual … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: No Genius for you!

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

And now for something a little different. I’ve generated a lot of Genius-created playlists in my iTunes lately, but every once in awhile, I am told by Genius that it doesn’t have enough information to do its thing. Here then … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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