Monthly Archives: January 2009

Musical chairs

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

When the State House reconvenes next Monday, I presume one of the first orders of business for new Speaker Joe Straus will be to name committee chairs. This sort of thing may seem like the most boring of inside-baseball stuff, … Continue reading →

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Now how much would you pay for that toll road?

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So we still don’t know how much the Katy Freeway managed lanes will cost you to use. Harris County Commissioners are expected to consider a fee schedule and the opening date next month. The new lanes — two in each … Continue reading →

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Now how much would you pay for that toll road?

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

So we still don’t know how much the Katy Freeway managed lanes will cost you to use. Harris County Commissioners are expected to consider a fee schedule and the opening date next month. The new lanes — two in each … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

The case for freight rail

Posted on January 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve seen this linked several places, and finally got around to reading Phillip Longman’s article on freight rail and the very strong case for investing in it as part of an economic stimulus package. It’s got something for everyone, including … Continue reading →

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Whitehouse.gov

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I just love the way Whitehouse.gov looks now, on just about every level. And they have a blog, too, though as some people have noted, one without comments. Not that there’s anything terribly unusual about a commentless blog, mind you. … Continue reading →

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Filing report: Noel Freeman

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Noel Freeman, who had been a candidate for the At Large #3 position in the May 2007 special election that was eventually won by Council Member Melissa Noriega, has sent out a press release saying he’ll officially file his Treasurer’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Whitehouse.gov

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

I just love the way Whitehouse.gov looks now, on just about every level. And they have a blog, too, though as some people have noted, one without comments. Not that there’s anything terribly unusual about a commentless blog, mind you. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 7 Comments

Hello world!

Posted on January 20, 2009 by admin

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Filing report: Noel Freeman

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Noel Freeman, who had been a candidate for the At Large #3 position in the May 2007 special election that was eventually won by Council Member Melissa Noriega, has sent out a press release saying he’ll officially file his Treasurer’s … Continue reading →

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Hail to the Chief

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As of today, we can stop saying “President-elect Obama” and start simply saying “President Obama”. I’m wearing a really goofy grin just typing those words. We can also finally start the really hard and long-term work of undoing the incredible … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 2 Comments

Cisneros for Governor?

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last week, Harvery Kronberg posted an anonymous analysis of former San Antonio Mayor and Clinton cabinet member Henry Cisneros as a Democratic candidate for Governor in 2010. I’ve put a copy of it here (rich-text format document) for ease of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Representative Walle

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Really nice story in (somewhat oddly) the lifestyle section of the paper about freshman Rep. Armado Walle, who won the Democratic primary against long-term incumbent and former Craddick D Kevin Bailey last year. Walle has a great from-the-bootstraps story to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of January 19

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today we get a new President. Damn, it feels good to say that. While you wait for that historic moment to take place, here’s the weekly roundup from the Texas Progressive Alliance. Click on for more. Continue reading →

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Let the candidate filings begin!

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the first day that hopefuls for Houston City Council can file a Treasurer’s report, at which time they become official candidates for said office. As noted before, that is not set in stone until the filing deadline, which … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Rebuilding the seawall

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This sure seems like a no-brainer to me. For a century, this vulnerable barrier island’s famed Seawall has protected, comforted, enabled and endured. But the hopelessly romantic notion that the Seawall could stand tall forever, holding back storm surges while … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 1 Comment

Evan Smith’s 2012 reality check

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Evan Smith has a brief essay in Newsweek in which he takes the position that Texas will not be truly competitive at the Presidential level until 2016 at the earliest. He invited people to argue with him on this; Democratic … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 2 Comments

From the “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” department

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

From Alan Bernstein’s Sunday conversation with Jessica Benkovic Colon, who chairs the Young Republican National Federation and has this to say about why Barack Obama won the national youth vote so handily: A: It’s an interesting time to be a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 2 Comments

As The Court Turns

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Richard Morrison, onetime candidate against Tom DeLay, the newest Commissioner on Fort Bend County’s Commissioners Court, and all-around mensch, has a blog. Those of you in FBC who want to know what your duly elected local officials are up to, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for January 18

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Our long national nightmare is finally almost over… With all due respect to the estimable James Fallows, I find that my visceral dislike of out outgoing President comes as easily as it ever did. Why in the name of all … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The fifty dollar flop

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Guess those fifty-dollar scratch-off Lottery tickets weren’t such a big deal after all. The Texas Lottery Commission is set to cut several poorly performing scratch-off games, even though more than $25 million in promised top jackpot prizes have yet to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Early contender for District A

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve had a lot of posts about possible contenders for the open Mayoral and At Large Council seats, plus the special election in District H, but there are other seats that will be open this November, and we’ll start hearing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Generation whatever

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m rather surprised I haven’t seen more of these stories lately, since the genre seems to be a media favorite. When George W. Bush lifts off in his helicopter on Inauguration Day, leaving Washington to make way for Barack Obama, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 4 Comments

Judge sides with Garcia on fired employees

Posted on January 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

New Sheriff Adrian Garcia won a round in court yesterday against two of the command staff members he fired upon taking office. Former Majors Jule Brownfield and Kim Stelter had sought an injunction to hold two captains’ positions open while … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

More on voter ID and the House

Posted on January 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Casey discusses the single most important issue facing Texas today, at least according to the Republican Party, and turns his attention to what might happen to Voter ID in the House. It’s not unusual for members of one chamber … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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For uniform early voting hours

Posted on January 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not going to try to note the filing of every bill of interest – Vince has that segment of the market pretty well cornered – but one that I’d like to highlight is HB512, filed by Rep. Solomon Ortiz, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: New music, take two

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

More new music on the iPod, while I ponder whether to get more now or wait till later. 1. For What Reason – Death Cab for Cutie 2. Skankin’ To The Beat – Fishbone 3. Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley 4. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Day Of Service – Call for Action

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

A little late notice, but just in case you can do this: The Harris County Tejano Democrats, Greater Heights Democratic Club & Keep Houston Beautiful Day Of Service – Call for Action President -elect Barack Obama has called all Americans … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Kay and Rick on the money

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, there was never any doubt that they’d be swimming in cash. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison moved nearly $8 million into her state campaign finance account last year — a high-stakes signal that she is committed to running for … Continue reading →

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The state of the city 2009

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Bill White gave his last State of the City address yesterday. Mayor Bill White used his last “State of the City” address Thursday to reassure Houstonians that they and the city will weather the coming economic storm, just as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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There are still a few Republican grownups left

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good to know they still exist. A day after Gov. Rick Perry touted the chance of more tax relief for Texans, the Senate Finance Committee chairman said he doesn’t see how the state can afford broad tax cuts without a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Pennies from HCTRA

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe it’s just me, but I thought this story about a potential toll road rate increase in Harris County was amusing. When the Harris County Commissioners Court gave the Toll Road Authority permission to raise rates by 25 cents in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Non-profit social media

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Ever wonder if your favorite Houston non-profit does social media? The Commit for Life blog rounds up the various social media sites for the local orgs. Check it out, and tell them who they might have missed. (My contribution to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston, Websurfing | Comments Off on Non-profit social media

Miles found not guilty

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Former State Rep. Borris Miles, who was indicted on two charges of deadly conduct in April, was acquitted today of all charges. In closing arguments earlier this afternoon, Rusty Hardin, Miles’ attorney, said leading members of Houston’s African-American business community … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

The calm after the storm

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So after yesterday’s fun and games in the Senate, things will be quiet for a while, for the simple reason that the Senate stands adjourned until Monday, January 26. It’ll be interesting to see what the mood is like when … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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