Monthly Archives: January 2009

Talk to them about helmet laws

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last month, I noted that some police departments will be lobbying the Legislature to require motorcyclists to wear helmets, which would effectively repeal a law from 1997 that granted them the ride to ride bareheaded if they had sufficient insurance. … Continue reading →

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Talk to them about helmet laws

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Last month, I noted that some police departments will be lobbying the Legislature to require motorcyclists to wear helmets, which would effectively repeal a law from 1997 that granted them the ride to ride bareheaded if they had sufficient insurance. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Who are you calling a knucklehead?

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Greg Wythe

This article about a panel of experts coming together in Houston to assess the city’s readiness to deal with disasters is moderately interesting – I look forward to reading their conclusions, that’s for sure – but what really caught my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Who are you calling a knucklehead?

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This article about a panel of experts coming together in Houston to assess the city’s readiness to deal with disasters is moderately interesting – I look forward to reading their conclusions, that’s for sure – but what really caught my … Continue reading →

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So how’s the state of our state?

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, you can read the text of Governor Rick Perry’s State of the State speech and see for yourself what it was all about. Frankly, I think Matt got it in one: This was a campaign speech. I mean, stem … Continue reading →

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So how’s the state of our state?

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Well, you can read the text of Governor Rick Perry’s State of the State speech and see for yourself what it was all about. Frankly, I think Matt got it in one: This was a campaign speech. I mean, stem … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 4 Comments

CIP meeting for District H

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I don’t know how widespread the email distribution list is for this sort of thing, so consider this to be a public service announcement for District H in Houston: City of Houston Capital Improvement Plan Meeting for District H Hosted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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CIP meeting for District H

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know how widespread the email distribution list is for this sort of thing, so consider this to be a public service announcement for District H in Houston: City of Houston Capital Improvement Plan Meeting for District H Hosted … Continue reading →

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Innocence

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Falkenberg examines what Circuit Judge Jacques L. Wiener Jr. referred to as “the elephant in the room” in granting a stay of execution to Larry Swearingen. The nation’s highest court hasn’t directly addressed whether a claim of actual innocence … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Innocence

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Lisa Falkenberg examines what Circuit Judge Jacques L. Wiener Jr. referred to as “the elephant in the room” in granting a stay of execution to Larry Swearingen. The nation’s highest court hasn’t directly addressed whether a claim of actual innocence … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Innocence

State of the State 2009

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry will be making his State of the State address today at 11, in which he’s expected to talk about the budget, hurricane relief, and some red meat for his primary voters. You can get a preview of it … Continue reading →

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The state of the state 2009

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Governor Perry will be making his State of the State address today at 11, in which he’s expected to talk about the budget, hurricane relief, and some red meat for his primary voters. You can get a preview of it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on The state of the state 2009

City Council lineup update

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Via Carl Whitmarsh, we have a third potential candidate for the to-be-open Council seat in District A, attorney Alex Wathen. Wathen joins Bob Schoelkopf and Jeffrey Downing in eyeing that seat. Wathen has been a candidate for City Council before … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 6 Comments

City Council lineup update

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via Carl Whitmarsh, we have a third potential candidate for the to-be-open Council seat in District A, attorney Alex Wathen. Wathen joins Bob Schoelkopf and Jeffrey Downing in eyeing that seat. Wathen has been a candidate for City Council before … Continue reading →

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The border camera boondoggle blues

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Your tax dollars at work, courtesy of Governor Perry. A virtual border surveillance program Gov. Rick Perry has committed millions of taxpayer dollars to fell far short of expectations during the first six months of operation. Border sheriffs, who Perry … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The border camera boondoggle blues

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Your tax dollars at work, courtesy of Governor Perry. A virtual border surveillance program Gov. Rick Perry has committed millions of taxpayer dollars to fell far short of expectations during the first six months of operation. Border sheriffs, who Perry … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

One more reason to be glad he’s in Dallas and not here

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I don’t need another reason to be glad that former President Bush chose someplace other than Houston to retire to, but if you do, here’s one for you. The tab to provide crowd and traffic control at the new Preston … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

One more reason to be glad he’s in Dallas and not here

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t need another reason to be glad that former President Bush chose someplace other than Houston to retire to, but if you do, here’s one for you. The tab to provide crowd and traffic control at the new Preston … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of January 26

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It the first official Texas Progressive Alliance blog roundup of the Obama Administration. And no, it’s not going to get old saying “Obama Administration” any time soon. Click on for the highlights. Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of January 26

Posted on January 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It the first official Texas Progressive Alliance blog roundup of the Obama Administration. And no, it’s not going to get old saying “Obama Administration” any time soon. Click on for the highlights.

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Swearingen gets a stay

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Thank goodness. Accused killer Larry Swearingen has been granted a second stay of execution. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit handed down the ruling this morning. Swearingen was set to be executed by injection on Tuesday. “We’re … Continue reading →

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Swearingen gets a stay

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Thank goodness. Accused killer Larry Swearingen has been granted a second stay of execution. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit handed down the ruling this morning. Swearingen was set to be executed by injection on Tuesday. “We’re … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Harris County tackles jail overcrowding

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, what do you know? Harris County’s burgeoning jail population is expected to swell to 12,600 this spring, prompting newly elected officials to take a fresh look at ways to alleviate overcrowding, including releasing low-risk offenders. The new sheriff, district … Continue reading →

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Harris County tackles jail overcrowding

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Well, what do you know? Harris County’s burgeoning jail population is expected to swell to 12,600 this spring, prompting newly elected officials to take a fresh look at ways to alleviate overcrowding, including releasing low-risk offenders. The new sheriff, district … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

It’s 2009 and we’re still arguing about CHIP

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s hard for me to believe that after all this time, and after all of the candidates who’ve lost elections over it, that the Children’s Health Insurance Program, a/k/a CHIP, still has dedicated opponents. It’s especially hard for me to … Continue reading →

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It’s 2009 and we’re still arguing about CHIP

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s hard for me to believe that after all this time, and after all of the candidates who’ve lost elections over it, that the Children’s Health Insurance Program, a/k/a CHIP, still has dedicated opponents. It’s especially hard for me to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 3 Comments

Derr files, Bradford contemplates

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Karen Derr made her treasurer’s report filing on Thursday last week, becoming at least the second candidate for District H to do so. I know that Maverick Welsh has filed his report, and I know that as of Friday, Ed … Continue reading →

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Derr files, Bradford contemplates

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Karen Derr made her treasurer’s report filing on Thursday last week, becoming at least the second candidate for District H to do so. I know that Maverick Welsh has filed his report, and I know that as of Friday, Ed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Comments Off on Derr files, Bradford contemplates

Lobby money

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

My first reaction upon reading this story about lobbyist spending on food and drink and entertainment for elected officials and their staff is the old chestnut about how government should be run like a business. People who say that, especially … Continue reading →

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Lobby money

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Greg Wythe

My first reaction upon reading this story about lobbyist spending on food and drink and entertainment for elected officials and their staff is the old chestnut about how government should be run like a business. People who say that, especially … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 2 Comments

The lap bands of Collin County

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I have four things to say about this story, which appeared in the print edition of Monday’s Chron but which I could not find on the chron.com site. About 150 obese Collin County employees have achieved dramatic weight loss with … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for January 25

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling more optimistic already… Meet your new benevolent overlords. The Great Bush Leadership Casualties, domestic and foreign. Dancing with Cindy McCain. I got nothin’. The hardest job in football. It’s hilarious and pathetic … Continue reading →

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Kay and Rick, Rick and Kay

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rick Perry were rallying supporters yesterday for the primary they’ll eventually have for Governor, which I’m already sick to death of since it seems like it’s been going on since 2005. It’s a whole lot … Continue reading →

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Kay and Rick, Rick and Kay

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Greg Wythe

So Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rick Perry were rallying supporters yesterday for the primary they’ll eventually have for Governor, which I’m already sick to death of since it seems like it’s been going on since 2005. It’s a whole lot … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | 3 Comments