Monthly Archives: February 2010

Weekend link dump for February 28

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Two more days and we’ll know who most of our nominees for November will be. What is it with the conservative obsession with brie, anyway? You know what this means: More blimps! Credit where it’s due. Liz Cheney is, among … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Obama for SJL

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

President Barack Obama has endorsed Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in her primary for CD18. From the press release: “Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is a tireless champion for Houston’s working families,” said President Obama. “That’s why we need her back in … Continue reading →

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How do incumbents do in runoffs?

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So with all of the polls showing Rick Perry ahead in the GOP primary but below 50%, the odds appear good that he’s headed for a runoff. What are his odds of winning that runoff? The Come and Take It … Continue reading →

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Sports Authority to the rescue?

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

After many months in limbo, there may finally be a way forward for Dynamo Stadium, though it’s a somewhat convoluted path. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority board is scheduled on Monday to discuss becoming the landlord for a professional soccer … Continue reading →

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Kelley claims Metro is holding out

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So now the Metro document shredding case gets more interesting. Documents supplied by the Metropolitan Transit Authority in response to Houston attorney and former City Controller Lloyd Kelley’s open records request were incomplete and “sanitized,” Kelley said Friday. “I know … Continue reading →

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Council meeting on flooding and drainage

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: City of Houston Council Committee on Flooding and Drainage Council Member Stephen C. Costello, Chair ________________________________________________________________________ Ed Gonzalez, District H, Vice-Chair Brenda Stardig, District A James G. Rodriguez, District I Anne Clutterbuck, District C Melissa Noriega, Position … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Three cheers for the red, white, and blue

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve heard it said that “The Stars And Stripes Forever” is the greatest piece of American music ever written. It’s certainly the most recognizable, and as you can see below, it’s pretty versatile as well: I think ol’ John Phillip … Continue reading →

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Early voting final report

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting was up considerably from the 2006 primaries. According to figures released Friday by Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman, 84,018 total early votes were cast in person for the Harris County primaries — compared with 33,362 in 2006. A … Continue reading →

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Two Trib primary stories

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib has done a series of good, informative stories on primary battles across the state, which I recommend you read. Two of their most recent are especially worthwhile: First is HD43, in which freshman Dem Rep. Tara Rios Ybarra … Continue reading →

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CCA reverses itself, overturns death penalty in Hood case

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A bitterly divided Court of Criminal Appeals granted a new sentencing trial for [Charles Dean] Hood based on frequently shifting U.S. Supreme Court rulings on flawed jury instructions used prior to 1991. The 5-4 decision did not affect Hood’s … Continue reading →

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More on the Sugar Land minor league baseball push

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update from the Chron to last week’s news about Sugar Land’s pursuit of a minor league baseball team. The preliminary discussions about the ballpark put it in the Class AAA compatibility range, typically requiring a seating capacity at … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Oh, please

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The letter P foiled me, in the sense that I don’t have ten songs that all start with the same word, or a close enough facsimile to fake it. The best I could do was the word “please”, but I … Continue reading →

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KBH: Did I say I was going to leave the Senate after the primary, win or lose?

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Surely you didn’t believe her, did you? With four days to go before the gubernatorial primary, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison this morning bought herself as many as eight more months in the Senate. Speaking on WBAP’s Mark Davis Show, she … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Chron goes for Miles

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m glad to see this. Based on their comparative records over the past two legislative sessions, we believe [Borris] Miles would better deal with the enormous social service and infrastructure needs of [HD146]. Miles, who was born in the district, … Continue reading →

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Please don’t shred the documents

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This isn’t good. At a crucial moment in the development of its light rail system, Metro confronted accusations Wednesday that it shredded documents sought in an open-records request, then fired two attorneys who objected to its handling of the request. … Continue reading →

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Do we want Google Fiber For Communities in Houston?

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Perhaps you’ve heard about Google’s latest project. We’re planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We’ll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Why TCEQ is broken

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Back in 2008, Mayor White and the city of Houston made a request of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to hold a hearing before a judge on the latest permit application for Lyondell Chemical Co.’s refinery along the … Continue reading →

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Those evil, dirty, federal dollars

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Perry loves ’em. Which of the following revenue sources has grown the most since Rick Perry became governor? A. Sales tax, driven by a strong economy. B. Natural gas production tax revenue, driven by a strong economy and the … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Probate courts

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We finally come to the end of judicial endorsements as the Chron makes recommendations for the probate courts. In the Democratic primary for Probate Court No. 2, the Chronicle endorses veteran probate and estate planning attorney Joellen Snow, a University … Continue reading →

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A county budget threefer

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Three items of interest in the news that relate to the Harris County budget. – Contemplating cremation Commissioners Court this morning discussed possibly changing to a cremate-first policy at Harris County’s public cemetery. A report from the cemetery director projects … Continue reading →

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Fixing flooding

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m glad to see that the city is taking the issue of flooding and drainage seriously, as this is an increasingly urgent problem. It’s really one of infrastructure, which like everything else in this world eventually wears out and needs … Continue reading →

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

HD146 overview

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron on the one local Democratic legislative primary, Round Three of Al Edwards versus Borris Miles. Edwards has represented District 146 since 1979 — except for 2006-08, when Miles won the heavily black district. It has some of … Continue reading →

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Seeing gold in green

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Denying climate change and the adverse effects of carbon dioxide may be official policy of our Republican leaders, but word has apparently not filtered down to the business entrepreneurs whose capitalistic opportunism those Republicans usually lionize. “Energy is the biggest … Continue reading →

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More on streetcars in Fort Worth

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The TCU Daily Skiff writes about Fort Worth’s plans for streetcars. The city of Fort Worth plans to move forward with bringing in a nationally recognized consultant to finalize aspects of a modern streetcar system that would consist of an … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Last minute poll numbers

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Public Policy Polling takes a last look at the gubernatorial primaries. Debra Medina is fading in the Texas Republican race for Governor, and it continues to look like the contest is headed for a runoff where Rick Perry will be … Continue reading →

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Another term limits commission meeting

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: The City of Houston Term Limits Review Commission invites you to an open session for public input concerning term limits for Houston’s Mayor, City Controller and City Council    Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:30 a.m. Judson Robinson, Jr. Community … Continue reading →

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How are you going to balance the budget?

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re thinking that the candidates for Governor are being a bit vague about how they’re going to deal with the looming budget shortfall, you’re not alone. Texas expects a shortfall of at least $12 billion when lawmakers meet to … Continue reading →

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Eight days out reports

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The 8 days out reports aren’t available on the TEC website yet for the Governor’s races, so I can’t show you the details. The Trib did it the old-fashioned way, by viewing the actual paper forms, so go look at … Continue reading →

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Chavez-Thompson on the air

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Nice to see someone who isn’t a candidate for Governor on the air: That’s a bit on the dry side for someone as fiery as Linda Chavez-Thompson, but it is her introduction to a lot of voters, so that’s not … Continue reading →

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Houston Press interview with Jarvis Johnson

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed it, David Ortez did an interview with CM Jarvis Johnson for the Democratic primary race in CD18. He had previously interviewed Sean Roberts, and will have one up with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee soon. You can … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of February 22

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance reminds you that early voting runs through this Friday at 7 PM for the primaries as it brings you this week’s blog highlights. Click on for more.

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Endorsement watch: Criminal courts at law

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Another round of endorsements from the Chron, in the Criminal Courts at Law primaries. Here are the recommendations on the Democratic side: Harris County Criminal Court at Law 1: Beverly D. Melontree Harris County Criminal Court at Law 2: Mary … Continue reading →

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McGuff interviews the Mayor

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Annise Parker discusses her social media strategy with Mike McGuff: Interesting stuff. Among other things, the Mayor mentions that a new and improved City of Houston website is on its way. I can’t wait to see it.

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Judicial Q&A: Bob Thomas

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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