Monthly Archives: August 2010

Videos of the city’s Wal-Mart presentation from last week

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

You can see three videos on Mayor Parker’s YouTube channel from last week’s meeting at the GRB to discuss the Wal-Mart development on Yale. This includes the Mayor’s opening remarks and the city’s slide show presentation, a bit less than … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Sherri Cothrun

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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Federal education funds still in limbo

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

All talk, no action. A high-level meeting of state and federal officials aimed at finding a way for Texas to access $830 million in emergency education aid failed to produce a clear path forward, according to the Texas Education Agency. … Continue reading →

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What about the classical music?

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This Chron story adds a dimension to the KTRU debate that I haven’t seen discussed before. Classical music fans in the city’s southern and western suburbs may not be able to hear the station intended to serve their interests. “It’s … Continue reading →

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More on Metro’s finances

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron reports on Metro’s current financial situation. I think you can largely sum this up as follows: “Clearly, Metro is burning through its cash,” said Steven Craig, a University of Houston economics professor specializing in public finance. Craig said … Continue reading →

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Paper ballots on the menu

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The county’s plan for dealing with the loss of all of its voting machines includes some low technology. Despite a fire that destroyed Harris County’s voting machines Friday, County Clerk Beverly Kaufman said she intends to keep all polling places … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Interview with State Sen. Rodney Ellis

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We move from the House to the Senate this week for conversations with the Democratic Senate delegation of Harris County. First up is State Sen. Rodney Ellis, who served three terms on Houston City Council in District D before being … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

School social media policies

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The DMN has an interesting look at how Dallas-area school districts handle social networking by its employees. [S]chool districts and teachers trying to reach and engage students and parents find that using the latest and most popular technology is faster, … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Them that has, gets

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is how it works in this state. Some of Texas’ most vulnerable residents – the very poor, the mentally ill, those suffering from birth defects, and children from troubled families – would lose state support and services under several … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The next Wal-Mart public meeting

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Mayor Annise Parker Cordially invites you to attend A 2nd public meeting regarding the Koehler Street Development Wednesday, September 1, 2010 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice 4701 Dickson Street … Continue reading →

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

Angelika Theater closes

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Bummer. “After 13 years of continued service to the Houston community, the Angelika’s lease has been terminated by the Angelika’s landlord….” No word yet as to whether the Angelika, one of a global group of affiliated theaters, will reopen outside … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Cause of fire that destroyed voting machines still not determined

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I sure hope it’s not arson. Lord knows, though, there’s a million conspiracy theories you could spin if it turns out it was. Houston’s fire marshal’s office hasn’t made a ruling on whether Friday’s early-morning fire was accidental or deliberately … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Weekend link dump for August 29

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Try to remember a kind of September… It’s not violating your First Amendment rights if someone tells you to STFU. Boy, if you can’t trust the World Bikini Sports League, whom can you trust? Oh, Staten Island, why must you … Continue reading →

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The TYC still has problems

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Three years after the Texas Youth Commission was rocked by a sexual abuse scandal, there are still major problems at its facilities. In a formal complaint asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate, Texas Appleseed, Advocacy Inc., the Center for … Continue reading →

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Rick Perry isn’t the only debate ducker out there

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Speaking of debates and those who don’t want to have them, meet Greg “I’ll leave the decision about whether or not I participate in a debate to my staff” Abbott. What are these guys afraid of? Is the thought of … Continue reading →

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Marmion Dambrino

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

A little history was made in HISD last week. For more than 20 years, Marmion Dambrino has spent countless hours impacting students and student-athletes in Houston ISD. On Friday, she reached the district’s top position in athletics. Houston ISD named … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Saturday video break: RIP, SRV

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Twenty years ago yesterday, August 27, 1990, the world lost Stevie Ray Vaughan in a helicopter crash. Here’s a double shot of Stevie to commemorate him and mourn his loss today. And of course, the greatest public service announcement of … Continue reading →

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The one-man debate

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

One way or another, we will have a gubernatorial debate. The Houston Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman and the state’s other major newspapers will host a gubernatorial debate this fall, even if just one candidate shows up. The newspapers, along with Austin … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Fort Bend LGBT Political Caucus happy hour Monday

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I’m a fan of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus and the work they do. I’m pleased to note that Fort Bend County now has a counterpart to that, the Fort Bend LGBT Political Caucus, which you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of August 23

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes everyone had a good first week of school as it brings you the best of the blogs for the week.

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Houston Votes responds

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Earlier today Houston Votes responded to the accusations lobbed at them by outgoing Tax Assessor Leo Vasquez. First, here’s their press release: On Tuesday, August 24, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Leo Vasquez made reckless and false allegations … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Friday random ten: Talk the talk

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If you follow this blog for things other than random music, you know that I do a lot of candidate and officeholder interviews around election time. In honor of all that talking, here’s ten songs about talking: 1. Ain’t Talkin’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Elections equipment damaged in fire

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Uh oh. Harris County voting machines were heavily damaged in a 3-alarm fire at warehouse in north Houston early this morning. The fire broke out about 4:15 a.m. at the county’s election equipment storage facility in the 600 block of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Interview with State Rep. Kristi Thibaut

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Kristi Thibaut is a freshman representing HD133 out in west Harris County. She’s a former legislative aide and was a fundraiser for various organizations before winning election in 2008 in her second attempt. Hers is a true swing … Continue reading →

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

Vasquez throws a bomb at Houston Votes

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I guess outgoing Harris County Tax Assessor Leo Vasquez wasn’t quite ready to return to obscurity. Harris County Tax Assessor Collector Leo Vasquez accused a nonprofit group of submitting thousands of bogus voter registration applications in recent months in what … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Public defender’s office approved

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Excellent! A state panel has awarded Harris County a $4.1 million grant to launch a public defender office, which is expected to start taking cases early next year. The county plans to roll out the office in phases over the … Continue reading →

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The state of horse racing in Texas

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not very bright right now. The Texas Racing Commission faced a packed house Friday in the enclosed confines of the Founder’s Room at Sam Houston Rack Park. They heard a tale of woe from an industry in rapid decline, … Continue reading →

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

The Wal-Mart meeting at the GRB

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Lots of sound and fury, that’s for sure. The city is negotiating a deal with the developer of Washington Heights — a proposed Walmart-anchored shopping center near Interstate 10 and Yale – that would reimburse the local builder for as … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Al Leal

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates on the November ballot. I am running these responses in the order that I receive them from the candidates. These Q&As are primarily intended for candidates who were … Continue reading →

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

Metro’s cash crunch

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From last week, a story about how times are tough at Metro. Facing a $49 million budget shortfall this fiscal year, the Metropolitan Transit Authority has begun to slow construction on two light rail lines and may embrace more drastic … Continue reading →

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

Bad building design

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I have two questions about this story, which is about the poor design of the Harris County Criminal Justice Center downtown. Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos calls the building at 1201 Franklin “the most poorly designed criminal justice center … Continue reading →

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Commuter rail along US 90A

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update on a piece of the 2003 Metro Solutions referendum that has been largely quiescent till now, the proposed commuter rail line from the Fannin South station to Fort Bend County. Though efforts soon stalled after a 2003 … Continue reading →

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

DeLay “headed to trial”

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

After day one of the pretrial hearings, Tom DeLay will get his trial, and he’ll go before his co-defendants. Motions to dismiss the charges against the former Sugar Land-area representative on the grounds of misconduct by prosecutors remained pending late … Continue reading →

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More on the red light camera Council vote

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The fuller version of the Chron story addresses the question about whether the petition drive was lawful or not according to the city’s charter. “It is your absolute sworn duty to place this on the ballot,” [Mayor Annise] Parker told … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments