Monthly Archives: July 2011

Weekend link dump for July 31

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Hot. Hot hot hot. We probably won’t see Hope Solo in MLS any time soon. Circle fatigue. That didn’t take long. Leisure diving. Because, sure, why not? The food desert problem is more complicated than just a lack of grocery … Continue reading →

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Higher standards mean lower ratings

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Schools across the state have seen their academic ratings drop as a result of changes made in how the Texas Education Agency computes them. The new accountability ratings released Friday for public school campuses in the state’s 1,228 districts and … Continue reading →

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Terminal B expansion on the menu

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In late May, the city announced that Terminal B expansion at IAH would go forward. Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the Houston Airport System (HAS), and United Continental Holdings, Inc. Airlines, reaffirm a commitment to overhaul Terminal B at George Bush … Continue reading →

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

Old neighborhoods, new faces

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Really interesting story about the changing faces of a couple of Houston’s historically African-American neighborhoods. There are now almost as many Latino residents as African-Americans in Independence Heights. At the same time, there are fewer African-American children there and in … Continue reading →

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

San Antonio approves long term transit plan

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The board of VIA Metropolitan Transit, the transit agency for San Antonio, has unanimously approved a long term roadmap that will bring rail construction to the city. San Antonio is the largest city in the U.S. with a bus-only transit … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: We’re at an impasse here

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Am I the only one who sees this as a metaphor for the debt ceiling hostage crisis situation? I can totally see John Boehner, or more accurately Eric Cantor, singing that to Harry Reid. Can’t you?

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Greanias’ suspension

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m as shocked by this as you are. The Metropolitan Transit Authority’s efforts to rebuild public confidence suffered a setback Thursday with the announcement that President and CEO George Greanias, the public face of the “new Metro,” has been suspended … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Tough times for teaching hospitals

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, who needs doctors, anyway? Texas teaching hospitals are bracing for a big hit in the federal deficit-reduction plans under consideration, just a few weeks after the state Legislature slashed funding to the same doctor-training programs. The cuts will exacerbate … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The job market for teachers

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

There are still some jobs available for new teachers and teachers looking for a new gig, but not nearly as many as there have been in the past. Because of the Legislature’s initial $4 billion cut from public school funding, … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Will the feds get another shot at Clemens?

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Probably. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton is considering the possibility that putting Clemens on trial again would subject him to double jeopardy. Walton, who declared a mistrial on July 14, has ordered both sides to submit their arguments in writing … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Songs of the Century, part 9

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Three lists to go from the Songs of the Century as compiled by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. 1. Me and Bobby McGee – Modern Barbershop Quartet (#232, Janis Joplin) 2. Kansas City … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Meyers to challenge Keller in GOP primary

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

There will be a little hot judge on judge action in next March’s Republican primary. Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lawrence “Larry” Meyers has told colleagues that he will challenge fellow jurist Sharon Keller in the Republican primary for the … Continue reading →

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Austin to propose ban on plastic bags

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. The City Council will vote Aug. 4 on a resolution from [Mayor Lee] Leffingwell and Council Members Mike Martinez and Chris Riley that would direct staff members to propose a scope for the ban and a timetable … Continue reading →

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Airport Direct on the way out

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

You can’t say they didn’t try. Metropolitan Transit Authority officials have decided to eliminate express bus service to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Canceling the airport service was one of a dozen suggested route changes that were discussed at a public … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Freetail expansion on hold

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Bummer. Having previously announced expansion into the Houston market, Freetail Brewing Co. will announce the indefinite suspension of plans for a second location — citing concerns over access to capital. “As I moved forward with the Freetail Houston project, I … Continue reading →

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A closer look at finance reports: PACs

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Having taken the time to download all of those campaign finance reports for the city of Houston elections, which you can view on my 2011 Election page, I wanted to see what I could learn from all this data. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Update on HISD and HCC finance reports

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I had mentioned before that it was hard to find campaign finance reports for HISD and HCC Trustees. I now have some updated information about this, so I wanted to share it with you. First, HISD Trustee Anna Eastman (who … Continue reading →

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Talking about the T word

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Scott McCown brings up the subject of taxes but leaves it short of where to go from here. If a stronger economy, honest budgeting and pitting priorities against each other aren’t the answer, what is? Texas must modestly increase taxes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of July 25

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The thoughts and prayers of the Texas Progressive Alliance are with the people of Norway as we bring you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with CM Ed Gonzalez

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

CM Ed Gonzalez was elected to complete the unexpired term of now-Sheriff Adrian Garcia in June of 2009, and is now running for his second full term on Council. He’s a former homicide investigator for HPD, and was elected by … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Alternate Commissioners Court map proposed

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Via BJP, here’s an alternate County Commissioners map, with accompanying data, to the one that was proposed to the Court two weeks ago. The map comes courtesy of Sylvia Garcia and Sen. Mario Gallegos, whose stated goal is to ensure … Continue reading →

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A word about endorsements

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

As I have done in prior elections, I will be keeping track of endorsements for the 2011 elections. You can argue all you want about the value of endorsements – clearly, some are more valuable than others, and some mean … Continue reading →

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Are there West Texas pickup opportunities available?

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Depends on how you look at it, I suppose. Former Potter County Democratic Party chairman Abel Bosquez said he plans to run for the same Texas House seat he did not win in last year’s election. “I am ready to … Continue reading →

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City asks Metro for Harrisburg underpass

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: Houston Mayor and METRO Seek Common Ground on East End Line Resolution of Harrisburg/Hughes Streets Over/Under Question Becomes a Milestone The city of Houston has concluded there is “strong sentiment” within the East End community for an … Continue reading →

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

Sylvia and Mario

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Last week, Robert Miller mentioned that there was talk that former County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia might challenge Sen. Mario Gallegos in the 2012 primary. PDiddie expanded on that, and the chatter eventually led to a denial from both politicians via … Continue reading →

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Those darned propositions

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. Houston voters can be forgiven if they feel a bit confused. They voted down red-light cameras, but the cameras are on. They may have heard the mayor say that voting for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rep. Beverly Woolley to retire

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Robert Miller had the scoop, and Texas Politics has the details. Rep. Beverly Woolley, a longtime Republican Party activist elevated to some of the most prestigious leadership positions in the Texas House, announced today – her 72nd birthday – that … Continue reading →

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Dr. Peerwani and the Willingham case

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Dr. Nizam Peerwani, the newly appointed Chair of the Forensic Science Commission, gets profiled in the Trib. Most of the story is about the history of the Willingham case, which the Commission finally sort of dealt with last year. With … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with CM Wanda Adams

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

CM Wanda Adams was first elected in District D in 2007, and is now running for her third term. She was employed by the City of Houston before being elected to Council, so it was interesting to get her perspective … Continue reading →

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More redistricting plaintiffs

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update to the scorecard, for those of you hoping to keep track of the players. The Texas Democratic Party officially entered the court fight over Republican-dominated redistricting maps Wednesday. The new claims by the state Democratic Party came … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The non-filers

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We are now more than a week beyond the deadline to file campaign finance reports for City of Houston elections. The following candidates for city office have not yet filed a campaign finance report for July: Michael Williams, At Large … Continue reading →

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Better times are coming (we hope)

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

So says City Controller Ronald Green in the Chron’s op-ed pages. Officially, the U.S. recession has ended. We have certainly rounded the corner here in Houston. And while there is a loss here of public sector jobs, the private sector … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for July 24

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Today, a large number of Family Court judges in New York are volunteering their time to perform the first legal same-sex weddings in the state. If that doesn’t renew your faith in our judicial system, I don’t know what would. … Continue reading →

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Party Like A Rock Star 2011

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Looking for something to do this Saturday? Here’s an idea: I am sadly unable to make it this year, but I can attest from past experience that it’s a fine event, and this is definitely now-more-than-ever time. So click the … Continue reading →

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