Monthly Archives: December 2008

City projects lower revenues

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise there. The good news is that it’s not nearly as bad as it could be. Sales tax revenue could be 3.4 percent lower than planned for this fiscal year, said Controller Annise Parker. That means a shortfall of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on City projects lower revenues

There is no surplus

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We may as well operate on that assumption, anyway. Comptroller Susan Combs said Texas government “is relatively still in good shape” from tax collections, but she noted lawmakers are likely to face immediate and unavoidable spending needs that will leave … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on There is no surplus

Is that really how much it costs?

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Ethics Commission is getting set to act on an ethics complaint filed in 2007 against State Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht. (A more recent complaint against Hecht is still pending.) Something about this case really caught my eye: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 3 Comments

Remake my day

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not remotely qualified to pass judgment on these twelve possible remakes of “classic” sci-fi movies. (Pete Von Der Haar, please call your office.) But I will say one thing: “Flash! Flash, I love you, but we only have fourteen … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 1 Comment

A message from the Bell campaign

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

You’ll be hearing more of this stuff through Runoff Day. Early voting begins Monday in the Senate District 17 special election runoff, so join Team Bell this weekend to turn out the vote for Chris Bell! Each of our five … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More on the Hill survey

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Hill Research Consultants, the group that did that poll I mentioned earlier, is also the employer of David Benzion of the Lone Star Times. He’s got some more info about the poll, including the full poll memo, which clocks in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

KBH forms exploratory committee

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The good ship KBH For Governor 2010 has set sail. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison today launched a committee to explore a run for governor in 2010. Hutchison’s paperwork, filed at the Texas Ethics Commission, names Allan “Bud” Shivers Jr. of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Poll shows Democrats gaining ground in Texas

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Burka was the first one to report on a survey of Texas voters done by Hill Research Consultants, a Houston-based Republican polling firm, which contains some not so good news for the state GOP. Here’s a quick summary of some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Poll shows Democrats gaining ground in Texas

CHC pushes Noriega for Veterans Affairs

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

An update on the Noriega for Cabinet story: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, frustrated that just one Latino has been picked for Barack Obama’s Cabinet to date, is pushing Houston state Rep. Rick Noriega and 13 other prominent Hispanics for the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on CHC pushes Noriega for Veterans Affairs

Ethics complaint filed against Craddick

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

When it rains, it pours. A Democratic activist filed a complaint Tuesday accusing House Speaker Tom Craddick of violating a state law prohibiting the payment of dependent children with campaign donations. The twist is that Craddick’s daughter, Christi, is a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Ethics complaint filed against Craddick

Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Gray writes about Market Square Park downtown and its unfulfilled potential. The main reason people don’t go there, says Project for Public Spaces, is that … there’s nobody there. So what attracts those first brave souls to linger in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd

Now is an excellent time to give blood

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

From my friend Stephanie: The Texans are hosting a blood drive at all Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center neighborhood locations from December 2-4th. There are additional locations that will be hosting the blood drive until the 9th. If you donate … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Comments Off on Now is an excellent time to give blood

The long-awaited red light camera study

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about the red light camera study that was finally released yesterday. Red-light cameras have sprouted quickly across Texas in recent years, sparking heated debates about whether they reduce crashes or simply bring easy revenue … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 4 Comments

Noel Freeman announces for At Large race

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Noel Freeman, who had previously run in the 2007 special election for Houston City Council At Large #3 race, sent out a press release announcing his intent to seek another At Large Council seat in 2009. Right now, there’s one … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Houston Tomorrow Distinguished Speaker Series Doubleheader

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The following comes from Houston Tomorrow, which is the new name for the Gulf Coast Institute: Houston Tomorrow Distinguished Speaker Series Doubleheader Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 Neal Peirce, Syndicated columnist Topic: What does the Obama election mean for federal policy … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | Comments Off on Houston Tomorrow Distinguished Speaker Series Doubleheader

Precinct analysis: Go west, young candidate

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

If you’ve looked at a red/blue map of Harris County for this election, you’ve noticed that the Democrats by and large dominate the center, stretching south and southwest towards Fort Bend, whereas it’s all red around the remaining edges. The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

That other recount

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to HD105, there was a recount in the HD11 race in East Texas, where incumbent Democrat Rep. Chuck Hopson survived by 103 votes. That recount was concluded yesterday, but it seems to have raised more questions than it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on That other recount

Keep Houston Rich

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

In case you haven’t come across it yet, Keep Houston Rich is a blog about our fair city’s diversity. From its About page: Houston is a city rich in spirit and, thanks to the oil industry, home to plenty of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | 7 Comments

Chuck walks

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by this. Former Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal will not face any criminal charges, his appointed successor announced today after an eight-month investigation. In a press release, Interim District Attorney Ken Magidson said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Lawsuit filed over UTMB firings

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of lawsuits in the news today. A Galveston district judge should void a decision to fire 3,800 employees at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston because it was illegally made during a closed meeting, according to a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 2 Comments

HD105 recount lawsuit moves to federal court

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As the official recount in HD105 gets underway, the Texas Democratic Party has filed a new lawsuit in federal court to require that so-called “emphasis votes” be counted. The Texas Democratic Party filed a federal voting-rights lawsuit against Dallas County … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on HD105 recount lawsuit moves to federal court

Rep. Green requests lawsuit dismissal

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Al Green has settled a nasty-looking dispute with a former employee. U.S. Rep. Al Green has withdrawn a lawsuit he filed in September asking a federal judge to find that he never discriminated against an ex-employee. Green’s attorney, Ben … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Rep. Green requests lawsuit dismissal

Precinct analysis: Even in his own back yard

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The following comparison comes out of a conversation I had yesterday with Greg and the realization that it hasn’t gotten anywhere near the attention I think it deserves. I’m talking about the result out in House Speaker Tom Craddick’s district, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

They’re not just sidearms, they’re accessories

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to make for some lively debate. More than a month before the legislative session starts Jan. 13, gun-rights supporters are asking state lawmakers to pass an “open carry” law to let Texans stop covering up the guns they … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

More ways to measure hurricanes

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Sounds reasonable to me. Hurricane scientists meeting in Miami this week will discuss, and perhaps act on, a proposal to develop a new scale for classifying hurricanes that better accounts for storm surge. “It is not an easy issue, but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Comments Off on More ways to measure hurricanes

Texas blog roundup for the week of December 1

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

There may be leftovers in the fridge, but there’s plenty of fresh content from the Texas Progressive Alliance. Click on for the best of Thanksgiving week. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of December 1

RIP, Houston Comets

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Well, crap. Despite early success and 11 seasons, the WNBA has decided to shut down the Comets. WNBA president Donna Orender said on Monday that the team could no longer stay afloat in the league.The Comets, who have been on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on RIP, Houston Comets

Cheney indictments tossed

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Ah, well. It was fun while it lasted. A judge dismissed eight indictments Monday brought by a South Texas prosecutor against high-profile figures including Vice President Dick Cheney, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and a state senator. The order by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Early voting locations for the SD17 runoff

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting for the SD17 special election runoff begins one week from today, and runs from the 8th to the 12th of December, with Runoff Day itself being two weeks from tomorrow, the 16th. Perry and Hal have early voting … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Early voting locations for the SD17 runoff

How steep is that hill?

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I think this assessment of Bill White’s chances in a statewide race in 2010 is a tad bit too pessimistic. Whatever plans he declares, a perhaps more burning question still looms large over his intentions: Can he actually win statewide … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged | 2 Comments

Precinct analysis: It’s Gene Green’s world

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I know I’ve said that there’s little variation across the county in candidate performances (the races in which Republicans won excepted, of course), but there is at least one glaring example I can come up with: Rep. Gene Green in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

The Mayor’s Austin agenda

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

No, not his future run for Governor, which I will continue to believe is Bill White’s fate until proven otherwise. This is about the Mayor’s last legislative session while in office and the things he’d still like to accomplish there. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on The Mayor’s Austin agenda

Be careful what you’re thankful for

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Falkenberg has a mostly humorous column about what local Republicans are thankful for these days. One bit just stands out like a sore thumb: Nearly everybody said they were thankful for 2010. And 2012. And any election year that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Be careful what you’re thankful for

Smoke ’em if you got ’em in Dallas

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The city of Dallas may join a long list to ban smoking in bars. A bevy of fiery words – “communistic” and “Nazi.” No expanded Dallas smoking ordinance proposal – yet. So it went Monday night, as a Dallas City … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on Smoke ’em if you got ’em in Dallas