Monthly Archives: June 2009

Did Tom DeLay do us a favor on climate change?

Posted on June 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via Yglesias, I see that one of the biggest impediments to a real solution for climate change is Minnesota Democrat Collin Peterson, who is the chair of the Agriculture Committee. This has Chris Bowers thinking outside the box. Here is … Continue reading →

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Keller hearing moved to San Antonio

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It had been scheduled to be in Austin, but now it’s been moved to San Antonio. State District Judge David Berchelmann Jr., who was chosen by the Texas Supreme Court to preside over Keller’s trial, will use his downtown San … Continue reading →

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Ethics reform is hard

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a long and winding road for ethics reform in Harris County, and it isn’t getting any easier. Harris County Commissioner’s Court next week will consider a series of ethics reforms aimed at increasing accountability for and disclosure of … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Another Mayoral wants Hurtt out

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s just Roy, so it’s not like this materially affects Chief Harold Hurtt’s status, but still. “We want police officers to stay,” said Harris County Department of Education Trustee Roy Morales, one of five candidates who talked about crime and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Texas Democrats’ First Truly Statewide Campaign of the 21st Century”

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Go read Phillip’s analysis of the Bill White campaign and its effective and extensive use of social media. Good stuff, with lots to think about.

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Solar on the special agenda?

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I have somewhat mixed feelings about this. State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, said Tuesday that he’s put in a request for several measures, including a bill to improve accountability at member-owned utilities, to be part of an upcoming special … Continue reading →

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Trash day

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

You may have received a notice from the City of Houston that your trash collection day has changed. Here’s the email I got: In continuing efforts to improve service and maximize taxpayer dollars, we have re-routed select areas in North … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Leo’s response

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here, for the record, is Harris County Tax Assessor Leo Vasquez’s response to the Ed Johnson business. Basically, he denies everything, admits to nothing, and makes counter-accusations, certainly a time-honored technique when under attack. I’ll stipulate that the charges against … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

HOPE press conference on employee efficiency suggestions

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Ever think that the city’s employees probably have some good ideas for how they could conduct their business in a more efficient manner? Well, the Houston Organization for Public Employees (HOPE) thought so, and they conducted a three-week survey of … Continue reading →

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One more judicial race

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This was mentioned as a sidebar to a story about Governor Perry signing a bill, but I think it deserves more than that. There’s a new justice on the First Court of Appeals, which means there will be one more … Continue reading →

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Critics criticize: Film at 11

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to outsource most of the commentary on this week’s Move It! column about Metro critics criticizing Metro for doing something they disagree with to Greg, who says most of what I’d say. The main thing I’d add is … Continue reading →

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Big balloon lawsuit

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be interesting. The constitutional right to have a giant inflatable gorilla in a bathing suit and sunglasses grabbing consumer attention from a Houston business rooftop is the key issue in a trial that began in federal court … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Now how much would you pay for that truck?

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, fellas. You’re coming to the wrong place for sympathy on this. When it comes to iconic symbols of Texas, big trucks and SUVs rank right up there with cowboy hats and boots. But a new White House plan to … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Ensign affair

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Oops. Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), who had been considering a 2012 presidential campaign, has now admitted to an extra-marital affair, and will hold a press conference later today in Nevada to explain it further. Chris Cillizza reports that the affair … Continue reading →

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Rerun for Welsh?

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Maverick Welsh is a young first-time candidate who exceeded expectations in his initial campaign. I most certainly do expect we’ll see him run for office again. “I absolutely will run for council again,” Welsh said. “I had way too good … Continue reading →

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The most important issue in the Republican gubernatorial primary

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, it’s fealty to Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan isn’t on Mount Rushmore. But lots of Republicans think he should be. Thus, it is no small matter for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison when doubts are raised about her commitment to the … Continue reading →

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UTMB to open emergency room

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Awesome. The University of Texas Medical Branch is scheduled to open a full-service emergency room Aug. 1 for the first time since Hurricane Ike inundated its campus more than eight months ago, relieving pressure on overburdened emergency rooms throughout the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of June 15

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Monday, and that means it’s time once again to present the best of the Texas Progressive Alliance blog posts for the week. Click on for the highlights.

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Keep Heights Green

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Got this via a Heights mailing list I’m on: Keep Heights Green, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to replant trees in the Greater Heights area lost during Hurricane Ike, is hosting its first fundraising event on Thursday, June … Continue reading →

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Rick Rodriguez to announce for At Large #1

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’d heard rumors to this effect, and now it’s official: Former District H candidate Rick Rodriguez is joining the race for At Large #1 in November. From the email announcement: Rick Rodriguez to launch campaign for Houston City Council At-Large, … Continue reading →

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Town hall meeting on climate change

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The following is from the office of State Sen. Rodney Ellis: Houston Residents to Dialogue with National Experts on Climate Change Impacts Joint Center’s Climate Change Commission Hosts Town Hall Meeting WHO: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies (Joint … Continue reading →

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

The secret Superintendent search

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Bad idea. Houston ISD trustees decided this afternoon that they will release to the public only one name in the superintendent search — the person they intend to hire. The board, at the urging of its search firm, Heidrick & … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics, School days | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Strip club fee appealed to Supreme Court

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As expected. The legal battles continue to spin around Texas’ so-called “pole tax,” a $5 entrance fee at strip clubs that has been ruled an unconstitutional regulation of free expression. Lawyers for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and state Comptroller … Continue reading →

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Chron opines on Ed Johnson

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron follows up its story on Ed Johnson, the local GOP’s ace in the hole in the Tax Assessor’s office, with an editorial that recaps the story and gently chides Tax Assessor Leo Vasquez. Given the recent history of … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for June 14

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

You’re a grand old flag, you’re a high-flying flag, and forever in peace may you wave… ATM malware. Just what we need. Get yer photography license over here. Congratulations to Melissa Zamora of Bloggin’ All Things Brownsville for her election … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

Will Perry bow to Berman?

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Leo Berman, who’s been threatening to run for Governor so he can personally deport anyone who looks like an undocumented immigrant, is now offering a deal to Governor Perry where he’d drop out and endorse the Governor in … Continue reading →

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How about that CCA’s reputation for fairness?

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is just precious. The longest serving Judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Lawrence “Larry” Meyers, has announced he is seeking re-election in 2010. The Court has been called a national laughingstock by one of its other members … Continue reading →

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Falkenberg on HB770

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Falkenberg hops on the HB770 train, both in her column and her blog, with video of Rep. Wayne Christian at work. I don’t really have anything to add to that, but I will note that there’s another reason to … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gonzalez wins in District H

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In the end, it wasn’t that close. Houston police officer Ed Gonzalez won the runoff special election to fill Houston City Council District H Saturday, defeating former high school teacher and City Council staffer Maverick Welsh. Although the campaign was … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: He’s dead, Jim!

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I still haven’t seen the new Star Trek movie. But I’ll always have this: Live long and prosper, yo.

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Runoff Day in District H

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Today is Runoff Day for the District H special election. Polls are open from 7 AM till 7 PM. Voting locations are here; if you’re not sure what precinct you’re in, go here. Early voting was heavier than I expected … Continue reading →

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What about Dwayne?

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Lone Star Project turns its attention to Ed Johnson‘s partner, State Rep. Dwayne Bohac. [Friday], the Lone Star Project formally submitted open records requests of Dwayne Bohac, Tax Assessor Collector Leo Vasquez, Harris County DA Pat Lykos -a CDS … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Unemployment insurance taxes set to rise

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good news, business owners! You’re going to see a tax increase soon. Most Texas employers should plan for their unemployment insurance taxes to increase significantly next year, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken of Dallas said Tuesday. While tax rates … Continue reading →

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Going green in Seguin

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Cool. The residential wind turbine is one of several renewable initiatives featured at the $6 million Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative’s Seguin office complex, which just opened May 19. The two-story, 24,000-square-foot facility includes solar panels that offset water-heating needs and … Continue reading →

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