Monthly Archives: May 2009

“Blogger bill” passes out of House committee

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m pleased to note that HB4237, the “blogger bill” that I wrote about last week, passed out of the Civil Jurisprudence committee on an 8-1 vote. Now the race against time and the Calendars committee begins. Nevertheless, this is a … Continue reading →

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Last day of early voting for the May elections

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the last day to vote early in the May elections in Texas, including the special election for Houston City Council District H. Here (PDF) are the early vote totals through Sunday. As of then, 1221 people had voted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Burka on the Census and redistricting

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Paul Burka takes a look at Census figures and projections for 2010 and considers the implication for the 2011 Legislative Redistricting Board redraw of State House and State Senate lines. There is going to be carnage in rural Texas, especially … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The poll tax

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Sometimes it’s hard to remember what century we’re in. Rep. Alma Allen’s joint resolution to post-ratify the 24th amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed the House on second reading this afternoon. The 24th amendment is the one prohibiting states from … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of May 4

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s four weeks to sine die for the Lege, but the Texas Progressive Alliance is never out of session. Click on to read this week’s highlights.

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Tuition reregulation passes the Senate

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Off to the House. The Texas Senate unanimously approved legislation today that would sharply restrict the ability of public university governing boards to raise tuition. The measure now goes to the House. Lawmakers granted boards of regents virtually unfettered authority … Continue reading →

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Tuition reregulation passes the Senate

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Off to the House. The Texas Senate unanimously approved legislation today that would sharply restrict the ability of public university governing boards to raise tuition. The measure now goes to the House. Lawmakers granted boards of regents virtually unfettered authority … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 3 Comments

Windstorm insurance changes

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

If you live near the coast, get ready to pay more for windstorm insurance. Coastal residents insured by the state windstorm fund could see increases of 5 percent per year for the next three years under a bill passed Thursday … Continue reading →

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Altering Houston term limits

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to stir things up a bit. The Texas House today is expected to pass a bill that could lead to the extension of Houston’s term limits. The bill, authored by state reps. Garnet Coleman and Carol Alvarado, would … Continue reading →

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Altering Houston term limits

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to stir things up a bit. The Texas House today is expected to pass a bill that could lead to the extension of Houston’s term limits. The bill, authored by state reps. Garnet Coleman and Carol Alvarado, would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Dynamo moving forward

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Dynamo Stadium has been in the works for a long time, but depending on how things go this month, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. [T]he Dynamo view this month as pivotal in their quest … Continue reading →

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Omnibus gambling bill gets committee approval

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Brandi Grissom reports. State Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, said today the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee approved the omnibus gambling measure that contains language that would allow the Tigua tribe in El Paso to resume gambling at Speaking … Continue reading →

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Omnibus gambling bill gets committee approval

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Brandi Grissom reports. State Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, said today the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee approved the omnibus gambling measure that contains language that would allow the Tigua tribe in El Paso to resume gambling at Speaking … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

More heat on the BCS

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I realize there are about a billion higher priorities for the President and the Congress to be dealing with these days, but I still really enjoy watching these guys squirm. At a hearing Friday before the House subcommittee on commerce, … Continue reading →

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More heat on the BCS

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I realize there are about a billion higher priorities for the President and the Congress to be dealing with these days, but I still really enjoy watching these guys squirm. At a hearing Friday before the House subcommittee on commerce, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment

In Lubbock, there is no beer

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I remember as a freshman in college staying in Lubbock overnight while driving across Texas and learning what a “dry county” is. That didn’t stop us from having a few brews – we just had to cross the county line … Continue reading →

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Build it here, flood it there

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We can argue and debate all we want about where development should occur, and what responsibilities developers and governments have to protect flood plains and abate flooding and whatnot, but at the end of the day there’s a simple truth … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Build it here, flood it there

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We can argue and debate all we want about where development should occur, and what responsibilities developers and governments have to protect flood plains and abate flooding and whatnot, but at the end of the day there’s a simple truth … Continue reading →

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Allen Fletcher

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Casey gives a short summary of this Texas Monthly feature article about State Rep. Allen Fletcher and his, um, colorful business partners, who are under investigation by the feds for running various kinds of ripoffs. There’s no indication that … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for May 3

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It was the flu pandemic, and it swept the whole world wide… And yes, I remember the 1976 swine flu vaccination debacle. If only there had been Twitter in 1918. Doesn’t anybody read “The Masque of the Red Death” any … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Allen Fletcher

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Casey gives a short summary of this Texas Monthly feature article about State Rep. Allen Fletcher and his, um, colorful business partners, who are under investigation by the feds for running various kinds of ripoffs. There’s no indication that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

Senate approves SUPERTRAIN study

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Another step forward. Texas should create a long-term plan for developing a statewide passenger rail system, the state Senate decided today in the first such step in years. The approval of Senate Bill 1382 comes at a time when the … Continue reading →

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Electronic textbooks

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is interesting. [State Rep. Dan] Branch won unanimous approval for HB 4294, which would require the Texas education commissioner to adopt a list of electronic textbooks and instructional materials from which schools could select electronic textbooks or instructional materials … Continue reading →

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Electronic textbooks

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is interesting. [State Rep. Dan] Branch won unanimous approval for HB 4294, which would require the Texas education commissioner to adopt a list of electronic textbooks and instructional materials from which schools could select electronic textbooks or instructional materials … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 6 Comments

Burnam makes his case in the papers

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Lon Burnam writes an op-ed about his resolution to impeach Judge Sharon Keller. Last week, a group of 24 national experts on judicial ethics issued a statement that Judge Keller has consistently demonstrated a lack of impartiality in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Burnam makes his case in the papers

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Lon Burnam writes an op-ed about his resolution to impeach Judge Sharon Keller. Last week, a group of 24 national experts on judicial ethics issued a statement that Judge Keller has consistently demonstrated a lack of impartiality in … Continue reading →

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“Quality rock”

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In case you’ve ever wondered what “classic rock” will be called when the format is updated to include stuff recorded after Ronald Reagan left office, here’s your answer: Quality rock. KDBN/93.3 FM, which had aired the classic-rock “Bone” format for … Continue reading →

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“Quality Rock”

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In case you’ve ever wondered what “classic rock” will be called when the format is updated to include stuff recorded after Ronald Reagan left office, here’s your answer: Quality rock. KDBN/93.3 FM, which had aired the classic-rock “Bone” format for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Saturday video break

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Because even mad scientists need love: Happy Saturday! Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

Saturday video break

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Because even mad scientists need love: Happy Saturday!

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Patrick forced to moderate his ultrasound bill

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Somewhat surprisingly, there haven’t been too many egregious attempts to assault reproductive choice this session; that may be partly because there’s only so much farther the Lege can go short of an outright ban, and it may be partly because … Continue reading →

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Patrick forced to moderate his ultrasound bill

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Somewhat surprisingly, there haven’t been too many egregious attempts to assault reproductive choice this session; that may be partly because there’s only so much farther the Lege can go short of an outright ban, and it may be partly because … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 5 Comments

Endorsement watch: Ed for H

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle makes its endorsement in District H. An unusually well-qualified field of candidates is vying to replace former incumbent Adrian Garcia, who was elected Harris County Sheriff in November. The Chronicle believes Garcia’s former council community liaison, 18-year Houston … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Ed for H

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle makes its endorsement in District H. An unusually well-qualified field of candidates is vying to replace former incumbent Adrian Garcia, who was elected Harris County Sheriff in November. The Chronicle believes Garcia’s former council community liaison, 18-year Houston … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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