Monthly Archives: February 2009

Over/under

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Some East End residents are still unhappy about the way the Harrisburg light rail line is shaping up. East End residents overwhelmingly supported the rail line in a 2003 referendum, thinking it would boost the redevelopment already taking place. Back … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Over/under

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Some East End residents are still unhappy about the way the Harrisburg light rail line is shaping up. East End residents overwhelmingly supported the rail line in a 2003 referendum, thinking it would boost the redevelopment already taking place. Back … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 5 Comments

Will we get a piece of the stimulus?

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe, maybe not. Many states, running short of cash, may jump at the chance to spend federal stimulus money. In Texas, though, the executive and legislative branches may not jump in unison. Several Democrats and even a few Republicans are … Continue reading →

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Will we get a piece of the stimulus?

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Maybe, maybe not. Many states, running short of cash, may jump at the chance to spend federal stimulus money. In Texas, though, the executive and legislative branches may not jump in unison. Several Democrats and even a few Republicans are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 3 Comments

Locke is in, Hall is out

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Greg Wythe

This comes as no surprise. It went as expected at this morning’s press conference. Former City Attorney Gene Locke is running for mayor of Houston in the November election. Former City Attorney Benjamin Hall III, who never officially declared his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Locke is in, Hall is out

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This comes as no surprise. It went as expected at this morning’s press conference. Former City Attorney Gene Locke is running for mayor of Houston in the November election. Former City Attorney Benjamin Hall III, who never officially declared his … Continue reading →

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District H CIP meeting report

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story on that CIP meeting for District H that took place last week. The highlights: Jane Cahill West, president of the combined Washington Avenue/Memorial Super Neighborhood Council, said she was glad to see the MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad) … Continue reading →

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District H CIP meeting report

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Here’s the Chron story on that CIP meeting for District H that took place last week. The highlights: Jane Cahill West, president of the combined Washington Avenue/Memorial Super Neighborhood Council, said she was glad to see the MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad) … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on District H CIP meeting report

“Highway piracy”

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Appalling. A two-decade-old state law that grants authorities the power to seize property used in a crime is wielded by some agencies against people who are never charged with, much less convicted, of a crime. Law enforcement authorities in this … Continue reading →

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“Highway piracy”

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Appalling. A two-decade-old state law that grants authorities the power to seize property used in a crime is wielded by some agencies against people who are never charged with, much less convicted, of a crime. Law enforcement authorities in this … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 2 Comments

Give bikes a little space

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Greg Wythe

MTBLawGirl passes on word of a bill that will be of interest to bicyclists. Earlier this month, Texas Senator Rodney Ellis and Representative Linda Harper-Brown filed the Safe Passing Bill in the Senate (SB 488) and House (HB 827) respectively. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Give bikes a little space

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

MTBLawGirl passes on word of a bill that will be of interest to bicyclists. Earlier this month, Texas Senator Rodney Ellis and Representative Linda Harper-Brown filed the Safe Passing Bill in the Senate (SB 488) and House (HB 827) respectively. … Continue reading →

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Monday morning Mayoral intrigue

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The following just hit my Inbox: Benjamin Hall and Gene Locke Announce Joint Press Availability When: 9:30 a.m. Monday, February 10, 2009 Where: 530 Lovett Boulevard, Houston, 77006 Ben Hall and Gene Locke invite you for a press availability Monday … Continue reading →

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Monday morning Mayoral intrigue

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The following just hit my Inbox: Benjamin Hall and Gene Locke Announce Joint Press Availability When: 9:30 a.m. Monday, February 10, 2009 Where: 530 Lovett Boulevard, Houston, 77006 Ben Hall and Gene Locke invite you for a press availability Monday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Comments Off on Monday morning Mayoral intrigue

The reason we need a credible Democratic candidate for Governor, in a nutshell

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed it, the far right wing Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina offered an amendment to the economic stimulus bill during all the sausage-making last week. Here’s what he proposed: o Permanently repeal the alternative minimum tax … Continue reading →

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The reason we need a credible Democratic candidate for Governor, in a nutshell

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Greg Wythe

In case you missed it, the far right wing Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina offered an amendment to the economic stimulus bill during all the sausage-making last week. Here’s what he proposed: o Permanently repeal the alternative minimum tax … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for February 8

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The three sweetest words in the English language right about now: “Pitchers and catchers”. The wonderful legacy of the Terrible Towel. Eight six seven five three oh nine. You want it, you can have it. For a price, anyway. Apparently, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for February 8

Weekend link dump for February 8

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The three sweetest words in the English language right about now: “Pitchers and catchers”. The wonderful legacy of the Terrible Towel. Eight six seven five three oh nine. You want it, you can have it. For a price, anyway. Apparently, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for February 8

The ongoing UH-Downtown renaming saga

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Still going nowhere fast. University of Houston System regents Friday decided to wait for more suggestions before choosing a new moniker for UH-Downtown, concerned that “South Texas” made no reference to the city and overlaps with South Texas College of … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The ongoing UH-Downtown renaming saga

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Still going nowhere fast. University of Houston System regents Friday decided to wait for more suggestions before choosing a new moniker for UH-Downtown, concerned that “South Texas” made no reference to the city and overlaps with South Texas College of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

You know, if they’d given me books like this to read in high school, I might have actually read them. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies features the original text of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Greg Wythe

You know, if they’d given me books like this to read in high school, I might have actually read them. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies features the original text of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Comments Off on “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”

The Lege versus the BCS

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s always heartwarming to see the Lege pay attention to the really important stuff. Take a look at HCR35, for the purpose of “Urging the institution of a playoff system to decide the NCAA football national championship in place of … Continue reading →

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The Lege versus the BCS

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s always heartwarming to see the Lege pay attention to the really important stuff. Take a look at HCR35, for the purpose of “Urging the institution of a playoff system to decide the NCAA football national championship in place of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports, That's our Lege | Comments Off on The Lege versus the BCS

Jim Sharp investiture

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Jim Sharp, who was elected to the First Court of Appeals in November, has asked me to pass along an invitation to his investiture, which will be held this Thursday, February 12, at 4 PM in the Gerald Treece Courthouse … Continue reading →

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Jim Sharp investiture

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Jim Sharp, who was elected to the First Court of Appeals in November, has asked me to pass along an invitation to his investiture, which will be held this Thursday, February 12, at 4 PM in the Gerald Treece Courthouse … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Jim Sharp investiture

More big bucks for Bill White

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Bill White has set a brisk early pace for his Senate fundraising so far. He shows no signs of slowing down as yet. Houston Mayor Bill White’s consultant says White has raised $1.4 million since he declared plans to run … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | 2 Comments

More big bucks for Bill White

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Bill White has set a brisk early pace for his Senate fundraising so far. He shows no signs of slowing down as yet. Houston Mayor Bill White’s consultant says White has raised $1.4 million since he declared plans to run … Continue reading →

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Rep. Thibaut

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Nice article in the Observer about freshman State Rep. Kristi Thibaut, whom the paper has tagged as a “woman to watch” for this session. I had the pleasure of meeting Rep. Thibaut back before she first ran for office, and … Continue reading →

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Rep. Thibaut

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Nice article in the Observer about freshman State Rep. Kristi Thibaut, whom the paper has tagged as a “woman to watch” for this session. I had the pleasure of meeting Rep. Thibaut back before she first ran for office, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010, That's our Lege | Comments Off on Rep. Thibaut

Handmade Toy Alliance wins a stay

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Some good news from last week for the Handmade Toy Alliance – they got a one year reprieve on enforcement of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Federal regulators on Friday postponed some testing requirements that would have forced many … Continue reading →

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Handmade Toy Alliance wins a stay

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Some good news from last week for the Handmade Toy Alliance – they got a one year reprieve on enforcement of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Federal regulators on Friday postponed some testing requirements that would have forced many … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Handmade Toy Alliance wins a stay

Pete Sessions and the Taliban

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Rep. Pete Sessions in CD32 is the chair of the NRCC this cycle. He’s also…well, see for yourself. Frustrated by a lack of bipartisan outreach from House Democratic leaders, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Pete Sessions and the Taliban

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Pete Sessions in CD32 is the chair of the NRCC this cycle. He’s also…well, see for yourself. Frustrated by a lack of bipartisan outreach from House Democratic leaders, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, … Continue reading →

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