Monthly Archives: June 2009

Turner not running for Mayor

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Mayoral field for this November should now be set. State Rep. Sylvester Turner announced today he would not attempt a run for mayor of Houston. The 11-term Democrat representative’s announcement comes a little more than three weeks after he … Continue reading →

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Special session starts tomorrow

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The special session everyone knew was coming to address the disposition of several state agencies begins tomorrow. So far, at least, the agenda hasn’t changed from the original call. Gov. Rick Perry is being pressed to add issues ranging from … Continue reading →

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Jeff Weems

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve been hearing plenty about the top of the ticket for Democrats in 2010, but there are still several slots to fill. One of them is the Railroad Commissioner seat held by Victor Carrillo. Via email to Carl Whitmarsh, here’s … Continue reading →

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The whole “two thirds” thing is more flexible than you might think

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Sen. Jeff Wentworth is mad as heck about some Senate rules shenanigans, according to the Statesman’s Jason Embry. Wentworth, R-San Antonio, thinks that Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst abused his authority in the recently completed legislative session, and he wants … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of June 29

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Fourth of July week, and so it’s time for an extra-patriotic rendition of the Texas Progressive Alliance blog roundup. Click on for the highlights.

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Neighborhood concerns about the transit corridors ordinance

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I think most people who choose to live in Houston’s urban core would agree that density is a good thing as a general rule. Density done in a half-assed way, which has been Houston’s trademark, not so much. Density hasn’t … Continue reading →

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Wilshire Village’s going-away photos

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I ask for photos of the impending demolition of Wilshire Village Apartments, I get photos. And I echo Robert Boyd: I just hope the developer, who thus far has been shown to have no particular vision (or much human decency) … Continue reading →

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The first domino

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Everybody’s been waiting to see what Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will do next year, in the anticipation that if he announces a run for something else, Attorney General Greg Abbott will announce that he’s running for Lite Gov, and the … Continue reading →

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Will the Alabama Bookstop be spared the wrecking ball?

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

A commenter at Swamplot, who claims to have inside information, has the following to say about the River Oaks Shopping Center and the Alabama Bookstop. 1. Barnes and Noble owns Bookstop. They are closing it to move to the new … Continue reading →

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Another appeals court case to be proud of

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

By “proud”, I mean “deeply embarrassed”. Here’s Rick Casey discussing a decision by the 1st Court of Appeals in which the infamous case of death row inmate Calvin Burdine and his sleeping lawyer, Joe Cannon is referenced, and not in … Continue reading →

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Vetoing smart growth

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Houston Tomorrow takes a look at one of the vetoed bills that I hadn’t examined before, SB2169, “relating to the establishment of a smart growth policy work group and the development of a smart growth policy for this state.” The … Continue reading →

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Pride

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So yesterday was the annual Pride parade in Houston. It was greeted by this sweet article in the lifestyle section. Today’s Pride Festival will celebrate the diversity of the Houston area’s thriving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. That diversity … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for June 28

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Six months (almost) down, six to go… Curving a bullet. The fringe, quantified. The pundit-industrial complex. I before E, except after the British government gets rid of it. However beautiful the strategy, sometimes you have to check the results. So, … Continue reading →

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Our local mental health crisis

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s must-read is this op-ed by Dr. Stephen Schnee, the executive director of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, about mental illness and the Harris County jails. The Harris County Jail is now the largest mental … Continue reading →

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Hot enough for ya?

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Yeah, it’s really hot out there. Houston’s relentless heat wave prompted the National Weather Service today to declare a “Heat Emergency,” a designation that air temperature and humidity is a potential health threat for all people and is particularly dangerous … Continue reading →

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Compost or else

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Go, San Francisco! Trash collectors in San Francisco will soon be doing more than just gathering garbage: They’ll be keeping an eye out for people who toss food scraps out with their rubbish. San Francisco this week passed a mandatory … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: It gives us those nice bright colors

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

News item: Kodak is retiring its iconic Kodachrome film after 74 years. I think you know what’s coming: Makes you think that all the world’s a sunny day, doesn’t it?

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We may miss the SUPERTRAIN

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Dammit. As we have reported here often, the federal government is about to dump a lot of money on states to develop a handful of high-speed passenger rail corridors, and the good news for us is that Texas is home … Continue reading →

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Get ready to say good-bye to Wilshire Village

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot brings the sad but totally expected news. As noted in today’s Daily Demolition Report below, 20 structures of the Wilshire Village garden apartments at the corner of Alabama and Dunlavy received demolition permits yesterday. Aren’t there only 17 buildings … Continue reading →

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Potential challenger for Burnam

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via Campos, I see that State Rep. Lon Burnam of Fort Worth may get a primary challenger next year. City Councilman Sal Espino has heard a lot of frustration from constituents about what state lawmakers did not accomplish in the … Continue reading →

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More questionable arson convictions

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Observer has published the second of its stories on questionable arson convictions (the first, from April, is here). It’s a compelling series, and really gives a good picture of why these two cases should not have resulted in charges, … Continue reading →

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Governor’s race reaction roundup

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rachel rounds up a bunch of bloggers’ reactions to the various happenings among Democratic candidates, potential candidates, and former candidates for Governor. Couple of things to note: One, as KT points out, Ronnie Earle is still in the mix. And … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Little bits

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve got big songs, and we’ve got little songs: 1. Little Beggarman – Great Big Sea 2. Little Brown Jug – Glenn Miller 3. Little By Little – Southside Johnny and The Jukes 4. Little Fallen Angel – Austin Lounge … Continue reading →

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Voting right on climate change, part 3

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go again. The late-stage whip count on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 has produced a particular political irony. A measure crafted by two Democrats in the House of Representatives — Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) … Continue reading →

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More on the special session

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry speaks about the upcoming special session. All were left unaddressed when the Legislature adjourned June 1. Perry told reporters he expects lawmakers to finish their work in “72 to 96 hours. I think that’s three to four days, … Continue reading →

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Council Member Gonzalez

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Now that he has been officially sworn in to represent District H, new City Council Member Ed Gonzalez has hit the ground running. He was called upon by City Councilwoman Sue Lovell to speak first about the death of Officer … Continue reading →

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Inflatable gorillas win one in court

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

How often do you get to write a headline like that? U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore ruled that a 1993 city ordinance restricting the use of attention-getting devices, such as the giant balloons atop businesses, violated the due process and … Continue reading →

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RIP, Nerd Bird

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The economic slowdown claims another victim. When the Statesman’s business desk got a tip from a reader that American Airlines was grounding the Nerd Bird, I was more than a little dubious. The twice-a-day nonstop flight between Austin and San … Continue reading →

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RIP, Farrah Fawcett

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Not unexpected, but still sad. Fawcett was voted “most beautiful” her sophomore, junior and senior years at Ray High School [in Corpus Christi]. Her freshman year at the University of Texas, where she was majoring in microbiology and minoring in … Continue reading →

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Special session for July 1

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We knew it was coming, and here it is. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, by the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 8, of the Texas Constitution, do hereby call an extraordinary … Continue reading →

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The latest Lyceum poll

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Lyceum just released a poll on various campaigns and politicians, and well, I’m not sure that it says much of anything. I’ve got the PDF here, and the problems begin right away: We interviewed Texas adults during the … Continue reading →

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The Chamber of Commerce tax cut

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned before that a secondary reason for Governor Perry to veto HB770 and its Wayne Christian Beach House provision was an amendment slipped in by State Sen. Mike Jackson to give a property tax exemption to local chambers of … Continue reading →

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Commissioners Court approves ethics measures

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s something. The Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved a slate of ethics reforms, placing new controls on money and influence in government for the first time in years. After months of infighting and setbacks, the court unanimously and … Continue reading →

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The best thing I’ve heard about my hometown in a long time

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

A Staten Island restaurant employs genuine Italian grandmothers to do the cooking. The 35-seat Enoteca Maria takes home cooking to a whole new level by bringing in genuine Italian grandmothers to cook for customers. Each night, one of eight nonnas … Continue reading →

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