Monthly Archives: February 2010

Endorsement watch: Two more for White

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The San Antonio Express News comes down firmly in Bill White‘s corner. White is not flashy, but he is extraordinarily solid. He brings a strong resumé and a quiet confidence to the table. White served three productive terms as mayor … Continue reading →

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Two more polls

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We are suddenly awash in hot polling goodness. First up, a new result from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll: Gov. Rick Perry is well ahead of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and former Wharton County GOP chair Debra Medina, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

HCDP apologizes to Slate and Valenzuela

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The following is a statement from HCDP Chair Gerry Birnberg regarding the recent lawsuit that was filed by two judicial candidates who did not get the ballot placement they had drawn. At the January 7 ballot drawing, Dennis Slate, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Statesman on Hank versus Kinky

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Pretty good overview of the Ag Commish primary race between Hank Gilbert and Kinky Friedman. The winner will face Republican incumbent Todd Staples, who heads the state Department of Agriculture, which has a biennial budget of $905 million, 666 full-time … Continue reading →

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More FTA funds for North and Southeast lines

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From Houston Tomorrow: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released its recommendations for the President’s FY2011 Budget, which include $75 million each for Houston’s North (pdf) andSoutheast Light Rail Lines (pdf), continuing the funding that began in the previous year. The Metropolitan Transit … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Oh, oh, oh

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, what a list: 1. Oh Darling – Aaron Richard 2. Oh Lord, Please Don’t Burn Us – Lager Rhythms 3. Oh Mama – Stanley Smith 4. Oh My Brother – Eddie From Ohio 5. Oh My Soul – The … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 3 Comments

More on the Ashby Highrise lawsuit

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a longer version of the Chron story about the Ashby Highrise lawsuit. The key point: Although the petition filed in a Harris County civil court-at-law does not specify damages, [developers Kevin] Kirton and [Matthew] Morgan said they are seeking … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Nile Copeland

Posted on February 12, 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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HISD gives final approval to teacher dismissal plan

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier has gotten approval from the HISD Board of Trustees to implement a plan that would allow for the dismissal of teachers whose students don’t make enough progress on standardized tests. Data provided by HISD show that, … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Still more polling

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Via the Trib, there’s another gubernatorial primary poll out there. The Texas Credit Union League Poll of Texas Primary Voters, released today, shows incumbent Rick Perry close to a majority, holding a 22 point lead over Kay Bailey Hutchison in … Continue reading →

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No replacements named for vacant County Court benches

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Commissioners Court declined to name replacements at this time for two County Criminal Court benches that are currently vacant. Judge Reagan Helm resigned last week. Judge Donald Jackson also resigned in December after being sentenced to 30 days in jail … Continue reading →

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Smart meters

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Ever wanted to check your house’s power usage online? You will, or at least you’ll be able to. CenterPoint Energy, along with other distribution utilities and IBM, is expected to launch an online portal, www.smartmetertexas.com, this month that will allow … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

At long last, the Ashby Highrise Lawsuit

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Ashby Highrise developers have filed suit against the city. The developers of the Ashby high-rise sued the city of Houston today seeking more than $40 million in compensation after repeated denials of their permit application. “The city must learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Endorsement watch: DMN for Uribe

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Dallas Morning News keeps chugging along on the endorsements front. Hector Uribe has a refreshingly straightforward approach to politics that helps drive our recommendation of him in the Democratic primary for land commissioner. Ask him why he’s running, for … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Mary Kay Green

Posted on February 11, 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 →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

If we must cut the budget, let’s be smart about it

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib remembers the last time the state of Texas had a huge budget hole, and how it made things worse in its attempt to deal with it. For some, it’s not too early to fret that lawmakers will balance … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo, Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

East Enders appeal to El Franco

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, the main holdup with the proposed East End location for Dynamo Stadium is that County Commissioner El Franco Lee, in whose precinct the stadium site mostly sits, has not indicated that he intends to put the issue … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Cisneros for Bell-Metereau

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve written about the GOP primary in SBOE District 5 a couple of times, as there’s a sensible Republican (Tim Tuggey) running against incumbent wingnut Ken Mercer there. SBOE 5 also has a competitive Democratic primary, and by all indications … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Talking with the Mayor

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In case you haven’t seen them, here are brief interviews with Mayor Annise Parker in Hair Balls and the Chron’s neighborhood section. Check ’em out.

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Harris County rejoins Texas High Speed Rail group

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County is once again a part of the Texas High Speed Rail and Transportation Corporation after Commissioners Court voted to start paying its dues again. Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole put high-speed rail on Tuesday’s agenda, saying Harris County … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: HASD and HSYD

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Two more sets of endorsements, now added to the 2010 Election page, from the Houston Area Stonewall Democrats and the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats. There may be other endorsing groups out there that have not checked in, but if so … Continue reading →

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Interview with Borris Miles

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

There aren’t a whole lot of interesting Democratic primaries for State Rep seats this year, perhaps because Tom Craddick is no longer on the main stage. But we do have one such race in Harris County, the rubber match between … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Natalie Cokinos Oakes

Posted on February 10, 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 →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Ambulance costs

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I guess I don’t really think much about ambulance services, but it’s a reasonably significant part of the city’s budget, and the city thinks it may need to charge more for it. The last time the city raised ambulance fees … Continue reading →

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

You’re next, Dallas

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Super Bowl XLIV is over (congrats, New Orleans!), and the prep work for Super Bowl XLV is underway. North Texas officials in town last week were generally impressed with South Florida, but except for beaches, they said they didn’t see … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Bikes on trains action alert

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Via email from Peter Wang: Thursday, February 11, 2:00 pm Support Bikes on Trains at the Houston Transportation Committee Meeting. If you ride in Houston, please attend this important meeting! Houston-area cyclists- This Thursday, February 11, the Houston City Council … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Two judicial candidates file lawsuit over ballot order

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

sigh Two lawyers seeking Democratic nominations as county court judges today each filed a pro se suit against Gerry Birnberg, chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party, alleging they will be “irreparably harmed” because they aren’t listed first in their … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

White holds big lead in Dem primary poll

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The headline and content of this Trib story is about another strong showing by GOP gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina in a poll, this one by Public Policy Polling, but that’s not what interests me. I’ll get to that in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Cheryl Elliott Thornton

Posted on February 9, 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 →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Mayor on Metro

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, one of Mayor Annise Parker’s transition teams is looking at Metro. We won’t get their report till the end of the month, but here’s a peek at some of the things they’re thinking about. Parker has signaled … Continue reading →

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

Hey, Houston! Steal this idea!

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Something like this needs to happen here in Houston. The BigApps competition, in which [New York City] made its data available to developers so they could make apps out of them that would be helpful to citizens, and offered prizes … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: DMN for Ratliff and Kinky

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Dallas Morning News has a couple of endorsements of interest, one good and one puzzling. In the good one, they endorse challenger Thomas Ratliff in his GOP primary race for the SBOE against wingnut Don McLeroy. McLeroy, a board … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 8

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates the city of New Orleans for the Saints’ stirring Super Bowl victory, and reminds them that the “hair of the dog” trick doesn’t really help with the hangover.

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Endorsement watch: Statesman for Bill White

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Following their unsurprising recommendation of KBH in the GOP Governor’s primary, the Statesman makes the clear and obvious choice in the Democratic race as well. As Texas moves through precarious times, it needs leaders from that moderate middle. We believe … Continue reading →

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