Monthly Archives: July 2012

Election night returns

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

For your convenience: Statewide Democratic results Looks good for Paul Sadler. Going to be a long night in CDs 23 and 33. Statewide Republican results Ted Cruz has a modest early lead. Wackjob John Devine is leading Supreme Court Justice … Continue reading →

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Runoff Day

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At long last, the 2012 primary season is about to be over in Texas, other than perhaps the HCDE race. To say the least, it’s been a long, strange trip, one that I hope goes down in the books as … Continue reading →

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The murder rate is the same as it was last year

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There’s no evidence to suggest otherwise at this time. Though Houston is not in any danger of reclaiming the unenviable title of “murder capital of the United States,” murders in the city jumped 17 percent during the first six months … Continue reading →

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HCDE runoff will be held

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

So ruled a judge yesterday in the ongoing lawsuit filed by the HCDE to void the Democratic primary in Precinct 1 Position 6. The Harris County Department of Education told a federal judge Monday it wants to proceed with the … Continue reading →

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Keep Moving Houston Forward PAC poll on Metro and GMP

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday I wrote about a poll commissioned by Houstonians for Responsible Growth on Metro and the General Mobility Program. That poll suggested that any changes to the GMP would be difficult for Metro to get, especially in the face of … Continue reading →

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HRG poll data on Metro and the GMP

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned on Friday that there had been a poll commissioned to measure voter attitudes towards Metro and the General Mobility Program. That poll was commissioned by Houstonians for Responsible Growth, and Joshua Sanders was kind enough to send me … Continue reading →

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Land Board throws the Lege a curveball on school finance

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Oops. In the waning days of the 82nd Legislature, state lawmakers came up with a plan to help cushion the blow of $5.4 billion in cuts to public education. State Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, proposed a constitutional amendment that he … Continue reading →

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Privatizing psych hospitals makes as much sense as privatizing prisons

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Especially when it’s the same outfit doing the privatizing in each case. Sixteen months after the Montgomery County Mental Health Treatment Facility opened in Conroe, the state’s first publicly funded, privately run psychiatric hospital is facing at least $53,000 in … Continue reading →

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Will the real Bikinis, TX please stand up?

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

My head hurts, too. It’s a story confusing enough to make your head hurt. The owner of Austin-based Bikinis Sports Bar and Grill announced last week that he’d purchased the Hill Country town of Bankersmith and planned to rename it … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for July 29

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Homo sapiens were once close to extinction. If that ever happens again, it’ll be for very different reasons. Who knew “Three’s Company” had lawyers? The cows would want you to support marriage equality, Chick-Fil-A. Your statement about treating every person … Continue reading →

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No settlement deal for HCDE election screwup

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Just as well, because this wasn’t a good deal. A proposed settlement hashed out Thursday evening would have seen the Republican race – a blowout victory – stand, and the Democratic race – for which a runoff is under way … Continue reading →

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Spending a little to save a lot

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Remember HPD’s Chronic Consumer Stabilization Program, in which the police department attempted to deal with some of the people who interact with them the most often in a better, more humane, and more cost-effective way? Well, it’s been working. Since … Continue reading →

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Beer is a job creator

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Microbreweries are, anyway. Craft brewing in Texas could add 52,000 jobs and mushroom into a $5.6 billion industry by 2020 if state lawmakers next year ease restrictions on breweries and restaurants that make beer on-site, a study prepared by the … Continue reading →

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Southwest prepares for expansion

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Coming soon. Southwest Airlines will begin construction next year on Hobby Airport international flight facilities, which the city approved in May over vehement opposition from United Airlines. “I’m extremely pleased and thrilled that the Houston City Council cleared the way … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: “Love Hurts”

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Song #58 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “Love Hurts” by the Everly Brothers, and covered by Nazareth. Here’s the original: I love the Everly Brothers and they can make anything sound good, but that’s not the song … Continue reading →

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As Helena Brown turns

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The soap opera continues. Houston City Councilwoman Helena Brown tried to coerce a staffer to go on medical leave because of her pregnancy, according to a memo the employee filed with the council’s administrative office. Sandra Kim, Brown’s constituent liaison, … Continue reading →

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Congressional runoff stories

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

A couple of Chron stories about area Congressional primary runoffs for your perusal. CD14: Sometimes [CD14 GOP candidate Randy Weber] mentions that he was designated the most conservative member of the Texas House during his two terms in Austin. “We … Continue reading →

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On the NCAA hammering Penn State

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been thinking about the punishment the NCAA meted out to Penn State earlier this week. The NCAA has hit Penn State with a $60 million sanction, a four-year football postseason ban and a vacation of all wins dating to … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Let the games begin!

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the Summer Olympic Games! Pomp! Circumstance! Tradition! Overwrought personal stories! Athletic orgies! Ten songs about games! 1. Fool’s Game – Bonnie Raitt 2. The Name of The Game – from “Mamma Mia!” 3. Play The Game – Queen 4. … Continue reading →

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Trudi Smith: What’s going on with Buffalo Bayou

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The following is from a series of guest posts that I have been presenting over the past few weeks. Transformation of Buffalo Bayou Park, one of Houston’s most iconic green spaces, is well underway. With an historic $30 million catalyst … Continue reading →

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Here come the GMP proposals

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At Metro’s board meeting yesterday, trustees presented their proposed ballot referenda for the General Mobility Program. “I’m anxious to see the outcome just like everybody else,” said Chairman Gilbert Garcia, before anyone offered their specifics. As it turned out, city-appointee … Continue reading →

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More than four, please

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Not good enough. A majority of House Democrats have signed a brief to the Supreme Court opposing the Defense of Marriage Act (widely known as DOMA) — but not a majority of Texas Democrats. Only four of the state’s nine … Continue reading →

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Early runoff voting in perspective

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Here are four numbers for your consideration: Year Total votes =================== 2006 13,726 2008 9,670 2010 15,225 2012 14,778 The first three numbers are the complete final turnout figures for the last three Democratic primary runoffs in Harris County. The … Continue reading →

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How do you say “J’accuse!” in Korean?

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go again with the Korea kerfuffle. City Councilwoman Helena Brown on Tuesday accused Mayor Annise Parker of sabotaging her recent taxpayer-funded trip to Asia to promote direct air service between Seoul and Houston. Brown joined Houston Airport Director … Continue reading →

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The working poor are pretty much screwed in Texas

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

These are the people that Rick Perry doesn’t care about. Jose Gallegos’ company eliminated employee health insurance to save money, so when his gut started hurting and his skin took on a yellow tinge, he resisted seeing a doctor. When … Continue reading →

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County wants to keep its share of the GMP

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise. Harris County Commissioners Court made it official Tuesday, passing a resolution calling on Metro to keep a quarter of its 1 percent sales tax flowing to road projects. The 5-0 vote leaves only Mayor Annise Parker backing Metro … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of July 23

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance reminds everyone that this is the only week of early voting for the July 31 primary runoffs as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Rick Perry must love federal intervention

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

He sure does his dangedest to invite it. Perry, a Republican, has vowed not to expand Medicaid and not to create an insurance exchange. Consumer advocates in Texas say the Perry administration has also been dragging its feet when it comes to … Continue reading →

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Medicaid expansion isn’t just about hospitals

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Grits has an insight. At [last] Monday’s House County Affairs hearing, Chairman Garnet Coleman noted the irony in response to testimony by witnesses regarding the effectiveness of Veterans Courts, which are essentially mental-health courts aimed at current and former military members. … Continue reading →

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Who sets the standard for science?

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t get the fuss over this. Many say students need to be science literate so they can innovate, compete and maneuver with the latest technology. If the United States wants to compete on the world stage, teachers and science … Continue reading →

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Precinct 1 Constable runoff overview

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron overview of the Democratic runoff for Constable in Precinct 1 between Alan Rosen and Cindy Vara-Leija. Rosen is an investor and a reserve major with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, who has been a certified peace officer … Continue reading →

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July campaign finance reports for Harris County candidates

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

You know the drill by now. Office Candidate Raised Spent Cash Loans ============================================================ Sheriff A Garcia 47,025 41,900 357,818 0 Sheriff L Guthrie 70,176 75,646 33,075 157,000 Sheriff C Pittman 11,309 11,566 5,217 24,000 DA M Anderson 73,888 60,980 33,371 … Continue reading →

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Precinct 2 Constable runoff overview

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron does an overview on one of the two Democratic Constable runoffs. The Democratic runoff for Harris County Precinct 2 constable asks voters to decide which type of experience they value more: law enforcement chops or time as a … Continue reading →

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Runoff turnout

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Who knows what to expect? Texans are voting in July for the first time in decades, the result of a lengthy federal court battle over new political districts that delayed the primary from March 6 to May 29. The unusual … Continue reading →

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