Monthly Archives: April 2009

Bait and switch on Voter ID

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So that “compromise” voter ID legislation? It’s not something its author is going to go to the mat for. [Rep. Todd] Smith said he is prepared to fight for his plan but added that if the choice is between an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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First they came for the science books…

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The State Board of Education strikes again. The Texas State Board of Education is set to appoint a social studies curriculum “expert” panel that includes absurdly unqualified ideologues who are hostile to public education and argue that laws and public … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

And here we have the “compromise” voter ID legislation

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The AusChron has the scoop. Here are the differences between Todd Smith’s “compromise” voter ID bill and the Senate-passed SB362. [Differences include:] provisions for voter education on the new ID requirements training for poll workers a report to the Lege … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Statewide smoking ban stalled

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It may be a bit premature to write its obituary, but not by much. Sen. Jane Nelson said she is in no rush to push a proposed statewide smoking ban through her Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Poker bill in trouble?

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, that would suck. Rep. Jose Menendez’ bill to legalize poker in Texas is looking less than likely. Menendez’ bill made it out of the House committee that oversees gambling issues. But he said unless he “can ratchet it back” … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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“Groundless” campaign finance complaints

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m a bit wary of this. The House tentatively approved Rep. Will Hartnett’s proposal to hold people liable who file false and “groundless” complaints with the Texas Ethics Commission just before an election. Today’s 84-54 second-reading vote gave a tentative … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Separating the Permanent School Fund from the SBOE

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The State Board of Education continues to be as popular as swine flu in the Lege. Thanks to Rep. Donna Howard’s HJR 77, which passed the House today, Texas taxpayers get to vote on who will manage the Permanent School … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The voter ID “compromise” bill

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. The voter identification bill likely to reach the House floor would allow Texans to cast ballots if they can show two forms of non-photo ID, despite pressure from many Republican members to require picture identification for all … Continue reading →

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Clean Air update

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Some news of interest from ACT Texas: The House Committee on Environmental Regulation will hear important clean air bills today including SB 16 – Senator Averitt’s omnibus clean air and energy efficiency bill. Several address flaws in the TCEQ permitting … Continue reading →

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The Speaker speaks, and a Voter ID update

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So how is Speaker Joe Straus doing? Three months into his first term leading the 150-member chamber, Republican Speaker Joe Straus is emerging as a bipartisan compromise-seeker, rejecting much of the power that his predecessor so coveted. Straus still faces … Continue reading →

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CHIP and Medicaid advance

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good news for CHIP and Medicaid. The House Committee on Human Services approved a measure that would expand eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, a move the bill’s author, Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, said would add 80,000 children to … Continue reading →

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CHIP and Medicaid advance

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good news for CHIP and Medicaid. The House Committee on Human Services approved a measure that would expand eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, a move the bill’s author, Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, said would add 80,000 children to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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I hate you! Now gimme some money!

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Damn those Washington elites! Always stuffing money into my pants campaign coffers! Rick Perry has railed against Washington, but when it comes to campaign cash, the governor has raised far more than rival Kay Bailey Hutchison from the nation’s capital. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

I hate you! Now gimme some money!

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Damn those Washington elites! Always stuffing money into my pants campaign coffers! Rick Perry has railed against Washington, but when it comes to campaign cash, the governor has raised far more than rival Kay Bailey Hutchison from the nation’s capital. … Continue reading →

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Get ready for the next school funding lawsuit

Posted on April 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The handwriting is on the wall. Property tax cuts and a stingy state budget have left many Texas school districts saying they are short-changing children and warning of another lawsuit attempt to force reforms. Texas lawmakers plan to increase school … Continue reading →

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The Keller impeachment resolution

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Lon Burnam’s resolution to impeach Judge Sharon Keller was scheduled to get a hearing Monday. Burnam vowed that it would come to a vote on the House floor. If that resolution does not move in committee, Burnam said he … Continue reading →

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House committee passes SB1569

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The House Business and Industry Committee wasted no time approving the Senate bill that would open the door for Texas to get $555 million in federal stimulus money to expand unemployment eligibility. SB 1569 landed in the committee yesterday … Continue reading →

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Specter switches

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As Greg says, wow. Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat and announced today that he will run in 2010 as a Democrat, according to a statement he released this morning. Specter’s decision would … Continue reading →

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Senators versus TCEQ

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

If there were a competition for the most toothless (least toothful?) state regulatory agency, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would surely be a contender for the title, most likely along with the Texas Ethics Commission. It’s gotten bad … Continue reading →

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Microbrewers likely to come up short again

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Texas Watchdog has the sad news. Three bills that would allow microbreweries to sell beer where they brew it appear under the influence of special interests as one of the most powerful and well-funded lobbies in the state, the Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Is the Lege going back on red light cameras?

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last session, after several prior attempts to ban cities from using red light cameras, the Lege passed a bill (SB1119) that granted cities the authority to use them, with some restrictions. Via Matt Stiles, it seems one of the legislators … Continue reading →

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Is the Lege going back on red light cameras?

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last session, after several prior attempts to ban cities from using red light cameras, the Lege passed a bill (SB1119) that granted cities the authority to use them, with some restrictions. Via Matt Stiles, it seems one of the legislators … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of April 27

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance – at least this member, anyway – would like to say “Go Rockets!” Oh, and here’s this week’s blog roundup.

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House budget conferees announced

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Elise Hu names names. State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, House Appropriations Chairman State Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Webb, House Appropriations Vice-Chair State Rep. Ruth Jones-McClendon, D-San Antonio State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Houston Give credit to Burka … Continue reading →

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House budget conferees announced

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Elise Hu names names. State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, House Appropriations Chairman State Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Webb, House Appropriations Vice-Chair State Rep. Ruth Jones-McClendon, D-San Antonio State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Houston Give credit to Burka … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Help choose the next HISD Superintendent

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The HISD Board of Trustees will hold a series of eight public meetings to get feedback about what people want in their next Superintendent. Heidrick & Struggles, the executive search firm hired by the schol board, will lead the community … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Help choose the next HISD Superintendent

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The HISD Board of Trustees will hold a series of eight public meetings to get feedback about what people want in their next Superintendent. Heidrick & Struggles, the executive search firm hired by the schol board, will lead the community … Continue reading →

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Statewide race for Earle?

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this is interesting news. Retired for all of four months, former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is considering running for a new job, possibly as the state’s top lawyer. “There have been people who have talked to me … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Statewide race for Earle?

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this is interesting news. Retired for all of four months, former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is considering running for a new job, possibly as the state’s top lawyer. “There have been people who have talked to me … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Castro for San Antonio

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Julian Castro, who narrowly lost the 2005 Mayoral race in San Antonio to outgoing Mayor Phil Hardberger, was endorsed for the office this year by the San Antonio Express News. Castro is the best prepared candidate, and he offers the … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Castro for San Antonio

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Julian Castro, who narrowly lost the 2005 Mayoral race in San Antonio to outgoing Mayor Phil Hardberger, was endorsed for the office this year by the San Antonio Express News. Castro is the best prepared candidate, and he offers the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Two legislator stories

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron has a nice profile of State Rep. Kristi Thibaut, who had a very busy year last year. Thibaut first ran for the Legislature in 2006. She had been a state Senate messenger and a government major while in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Two legislator stories

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron has a nice profile of State Rep. Kristi Thibaut, who had a very busy year last year. Thibaut first ran for the Legislature in 2006. She had been a state Senate messenger and a government major while in … Continue reading →

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Sanctions sought for deadline-missing attorney

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is a necessary step, but it is not a sufficient one. Texas’ highest criminal court has asked the State Bar of Texas to investigate a San Antonio attorney who missed critical deadlines in four recent death row appeals — … Continue reading →

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