Monthly Archives: June 2011

Response from the city on the red light camera ruling

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Previously, I wrote that I had asked the city about the possibility of appealing the ruling in the red light camera lawsuit. I received the following response from the Mayor’s office yesterday: This was what’s known as an interlocutory order … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Harris County moves forward with new crime lab

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County is moving forward with plans to create what is being called a regional crime lab. At a meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved a plan that would lead the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences into becoming a regional crime … Continue reading →

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

Senate approves TWIA bill

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Reform of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency was the original reason for this special session. It may yet be the reason for the next special session. Like ringing the bell at the boxing ring, the Senate today approved a bill … Continue reading →

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All abortion, all the time

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In-fight all you want, Republicans. The clock is ticking. Abortion-rights opponents in the House have threatened to scuttle a comprehensive health care savings bill if negotiators don’t add prohibitions against abortions at public hospitals in cases of severe fetal abnormality. … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of June 20

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Have we mentioned that the Texas Progressive Alliance was ready for some rain to fall? Because we were so ready for some as we bring you this week’s roundup.

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Congressional map gets final approval

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

On to the Governor. The Republican-controlled Texas Senate approved a new congressional district map for the state Monday and sent it to Gov. Rick Perry for his approval. […] The map was approved 19-12 along party lines and without debate. … Continue reading →

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ATS wants a decision on the cameras

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This is just a mess. An Arizona firm says if City Hall agrees, it can turn Houston’s contentious red-light camera system back on by Aug. 1, eight months after voters rejected the surveillance operation in an election. American Traffic Solutions … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

No more cuts for HISD, for now

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, the HISD Board of Trustees had originally set its budget based on the initial House appropriations, which cut almost $8 billion from public schools. The budget that’s in the works now would “only” cut $4 billion, so … Continue reading →

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

The strip club tax is on the table

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Among the things that conference committee members will be discussing as they try to finalize the budget is a reworking of the strip club tax that was first passed in 2007. This session, while awaiting a ruling on the case … Continue reading →

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Cut education now, pay later?

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the question for Republican legislators, isn’t it? GOP legislators didn’t budge this session from their commitment to reduce Texas’ education spending even in the face of protests, negative ad campaigns and reams of criticism. The outcry didn’t faze them … Continue reading →

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Amazon offering a bribe to keep its sales tax exemption

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Well, what would you call this? Amazon.com is negotiating a deal with Texas officials that would see the online retail giant promise to bring more than 5,000 jobs and $300 million in capital investments to the state over the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Another Travis County DA race?

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

When Ronnie Earle announced his retirement in 2007, it kicked off a spirited Democratic primary to replace him that was ultimately won by his chief lieutenant, Rosemary Lehmberg. It looks like we may have another such primary next year. Former … Continue reading →

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Redistricting on Commissioners Court agenda

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Well, not quite, but if you look on Page 15 of the June 21 Court agenda you will see an item that says “Request for approval of an order adopting priorities and principles for redistricting of the four Harris County … Continue reading →

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Smoking ban survives Senate committee

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The statewide smoking ban still lives. Senate lawmakers pushed a ban on smoking in public places out of committee this afternoon, sending it to the full upper chamber for a vote. Senate Bill 28, which would ban smoking indoors in … Continue reading →

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HFD ratifies deal with city

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It was a close vote, but the deal they reached in March was ratified. Union members passed the contract by a 1,560 to 1,391 vote. The deal saves 236 firefighters from layoffs in 2012, but concessions include a two-year pay … Continue reading →

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MLB needs to stand by all of its players

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A brief history of baseball’s other color line. There is no Latin American Jackie Robinson, no single Hispanic ballplayer who lifted his people onto his back and crashed through baseball’s racist barricades. But there always has to be a first, … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hey, remember Perry’s Emerging Technology Fund?

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s still a mess, and a cookie jar for his cronies. The founders of Convergen LifeSciences Inc. had invested only $1,000 of their own money when they asked the State of Texas in 2009 to give them $4.5 million to … Continue reading →

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

Connecting bike trails

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Marty Hajovsky makes a keen observation. Bike trails in the Houston area are all-too-frequently a joke at best and dangerous, hazardous, life-threatening situations at the worst.  I’m sorry, but painting a solid white line in the drain gutter on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Weekend link dump for June 19

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Happy Father’s Day! Ted Forth 2012! Because it’s time we had robot-serviced domed underwater colonies on the moon. It’s the Great Hamster, Charlie Brown! Why are there so many bigots against rainbows and what they might represent? Why does Wisconsin … Continue reading →

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More on the red light camera ruling

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I said before that what happens next with the red light camera ruling is a political decision. Here’s how that’s shaping up. City Attorney Dave Feldman said Friday’s ruling will force the city to choose from canceling the contract with … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Hoang’s turn before the OIG

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We have another Council member under the looking glass. Councilman Al Hoang is the subject of a city Office of Inspector General investigation over allegations that he submitted fraudulent signatures to the city in a petition to change the name … Continue reading →

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

A few facts about education employment

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff brings some numbers to the debate. When you hear the discussion about the increase in the number of “non-teachers” in our schools, consider the following facts. These numbers represent full-time equivalent employees to … Continue reading →

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Do people really still not understand the concept of “work” email?

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I marveled at this story from last week, which could easily have been from a 1996 archive. An administrator at St. Philip’s College resigned after an internal investigation found she violated the school’s email policy by sending hundreds of nonwork-related … Continue reading →

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RIP, Clarence Clemons

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Clarence Clemons, the longtime saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, has passed away. Clemons had suffered a massive stroke on June 12th. While initial signs had been hopeful after his hospitalization and two subsequent brain surgeries, he reportedly took … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Saturday video break: You know the deal with those little shopping carts they got

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The new Whole Foods at Waugh and Dallas about to open, so there will never be a better time to post this: That may be the best non-Yankovic style parody I’ve seen in years. Tiffany got to go on a … Continue reading →

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Here are the vetoes

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Sunday was the deadline for Rick Perry to sign, veto, or leave unsigned all of the remaining bills from the regular legislative session. He had 1170 pieces of legislation awaiting a decision while he was busy gallivanting around the country. … Continue reading →

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“America’s largest city with no pro sports teams”

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This Houston Press lamentation about the city of Austin contained the following tidbit that caught my eye: Austin is America’s largest city with no pro sports teams (though some would debate the amateur status of the Texas Longhorns). Well, that … Continue reading →

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Seeing the city the Segway way

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A Segway tour of downtown Houston sounds like a great idea. The tour, led by Apollo Scooters proprietor Matthew Creede, is the first to exploit the scenic secrets of the city’s heart. Similar tours are offered in San Antonio, Austin … Continue reading →

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

HBU to start playing football

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Assuming they can find someone to play with, that is. The [Houston Baptist University] board of trustees, after conducting a financial feasibility study this year, gave its approval to add football pending alignment with a conference in Football Championship Subdivision … Continue reading →

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Judge rules red light camera referendum was invalid

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Boom. A Houston federal judge today invalidated last November’s referendum that ended the red-light camera program, a ruling that has sent city leaders back to square one. U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ruled the city can not reverse an ordinance … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Friday random ten: Songs of the Century, part 6

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing with songs in my collection from the Songs of the Century as compiled by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. 1. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2 (#120) 2. … Continue reading →

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2012 still looks like 2008 so far

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Lyceum put out a series of polls this week – you can see links to them here – but it was the Thursday poll that interested me the most, as it was related to the 2012 elections. Here’s … Continue reading →

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CM Hoang accused of forging names on petition signatures

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This is just bizarre. In the heart of Asia Town in southwest Houston, some homeowners in the Turtlewood Square subdivision say they’ve been robbed. They were not robbed of their belongings, but rather their good names. “Definitely homeowners [are] scared, … Continue reading →

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Jones and Sullivan name their delegates

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, CM Jolanda Jones gets to pick a fellow Council member to represent her in the meeting on Monday to determine if any formal action will be taken against her. Yesterday, she picked CM Brad Bradford to be … Continue reading →

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