Monthly Archives: February 2013

Day One runoff EV totals

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your Day One runoff EV report for the SD06 election. For comparison purposes, here’s the final report from the first round. This isn’t apples to apples, of course, because there were 12 EV days in Round 1 whereas there … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Day One runoff EV totals

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 18

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The start of Spring Training always makes the Texas Progressive Alliance happy as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of February 18

Medicaid expansion pressure is having an effect

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Despite the mountains of evidence in its favor, I still can’t say that I see a path to Medicaid expansion in Texas. But stories like this do give me some hope. Adamantly opposed to expanding Medicaid coverage under President Barack … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Medicaid expansion pressure is having an effect

We’re not going to solve our transportation issues without new revenue

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The choice isn’t whether or not to pay, it’s how do you want to pay. Despite broad agreement that repairing and improving Texas highways will cost more money than it has in the past, legislators split Monday on whether now … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Some charter school stories

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Now that Sen. Dan Patrick has filed his school choice bill, I thought this would be a good time to review some recent stories about charter schools. There were a couple of interesting stories relating to charter schools in the … Continue reading →

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

Early voting starts today for SD06 runoff

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s runoff time for SD06. Early voting begins today and runs through Tuesday, February 26. Here are the early voting locations, which are the same as they were for the first round: Location Address 1 Harris County Administration Building 1001 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The war on women continues apace

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Honestly, I’m surprised that it’s taken as long as it has for this to happen. Abortion clinics in Texas may soon face harsh new state requirements that pro-choice advocates say could greatly reduce access to abortion. Sens Bob Deuell (R-Greenville), … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Patrick files his “school choice” bill

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Trib: The State Board of Education currently oversees applications for charter school contracts, which state law caps at 215. Patrick’s Senate Bill 2 would create a new state entity to authorize the contracts and lift that cap, allowing … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Marriage equality bill filed

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As I said before, some things you do because they’re the right thing to do. State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, filed a bill Thursday to permit same-sex couples to marry, calling it a “Valentine’s Day gift to all Texans.” … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Marriage equality bill filed

Alamo Drafthouse at Regent Square

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This is an interesting development. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which is opening its second area location Thursday in Vintage Park Shopping Village, just announced that it will open a third location in the Inner Loop mixed-use project Regent Square, where it … Continue reading →

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

How should the San Antonio court proceed after SCOTUS rules on Section 5?

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

That’s what the San Antonio judges in the redistricting case asked the parties to help it figure out. In its order, the court told parties what has been widely assumed – namely that the panel would “not issue any opinion, … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

LBB calls for expanding Medicaid

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Quorum Report: LBB CALLS FOR FUNDING MEDICAID EXPANSION AS PART OF ITS ADDITIONAL BUDGET PRIORITIES The recommendation given to the Article II Senate Finance workgroup notes that $50.4 million in state funding would draw down $4 billion in … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on LBB calls for expanding Medicaid

Riddle wants to abolish the HCDE

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From Big Jolly: State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-150) filed HB945 [last] week. If enacted, it would abolish the Harris County Department of Education, transferring control of the assets to the Harris County Commissioners Court, and giving the commissioners one year … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Take the 2013 METRO Bike and Ride Survey

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

A public service announcement from H-GAC: 2013 METRO Bike and Ride Survey The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and METRO invite you to participate in the METRO Bike & Ride Plan, a planning effort to improve connections between bicyclists and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Take the 2013 METRO Bike and Ride Survey

Weekend link dump for February 17

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Dunk or dunk not. There is no try. James Harden is a Zen master. And then God made a more accurate representation of farming in America. No, we don’t have a fertility crisis in the US. Illegally uploaded movies on … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 2 Comments

White Stallion coal plant deep sixed

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I mentioned this in passing the other day, but the news that White Stallion has been shelved deserves its own post. Developers have dropped plans for the White Stallion Energy Center about 90 miles southwest of Houston, signaling the end … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Not a big enough picture

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The headline on this story reads “County mulls big-picture health council”, but a read of the story makes it clear that there’s a big piece of this picture missing from the discussion. Harris County is discussing a big-picture approach to … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Kubosh is in for Council

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This happened on Friday. Michael Kubosh, part of the fighting brothers who finally rid Houston of red-light cameras, is announcing today he’s running for an at-large city council seat. Kubosh will announce he’s running for Melissa Noriega’s at-large seat (she … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Council approves Southwest/Hobby deal

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

You are now free to make lame jokes about Southwest’s marketing slogan. Council members unanimously approved a 25-year use and lease agreement with the Dallas-based carrier that incorporates a new two-story, five-gate concourse and Customs and Border Protection inspection facility … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Council approves Southwest/Hobby deal

Saturday video break: Everybody’s Talkin’

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Song #31 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “Everybody’s Talkin’”, originally by Fred Neil and covered by Harry Nilsson. Here’s the original: Nice little country ballad. Never heard it before, but nice. Here’s Harry Nilsson: I take it … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Saturday video break: Everybody’s Talkin’

Working the county Medicaid expansion angle

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As statewide Medicaid expansion is being pushed in Austin, some activists are going to various County Commissioners Courts to push for the county option to expand Medicaid as well. “A broad spectrum of people across business, faith and health care … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Summer X-Games

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Another sporting event that could be coming to Houston. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority is making a bid for ESPN’s action sports event, an annual competition that began in 1995. “It’s definitely another feather in our cap,” said Janis Schmees, … Continue reading →

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

We’ve got mercury, yes we do

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Once again, Texas overachieves at something bad. Even though mercury and other hazardous air pollution from U.S. power plants are declining, the progress at the coal-fired power plants are uneven, leaving in place a significant remaining risk to the health … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Friday random ten: More unromantic Valentine’s Day songs

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I did this last year and it was fun, so I thought I’d do it again. 1. Lord, I Wish I was A Single Girl Again – Elena James 2. Don’t Get Married, Girls – Ceili’s Muse 3. Put Another … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Friday random ten: More unromantic Valentine’s Day songs

Clearing the rape kit backlog

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some excellent news from the Mayor’s office. Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston Police Department today announced details of a plan that will eliminate the backlog of untested sexual assault kits (SAK). Under the plan, which will be formally considered … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Supplement this!

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Time for the Lege to pay a few past-due bills from 2011. That’s where a supplemental budget comes in. It is literally a second budget added to the original one lawmakers approved in 2011. It’s not an unusual course for … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Supplement this!

Single member districts for Farmers Branch

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Another long battle comes to an end. A Dallas federal judge has directed Farmers Branch to implement single-member City Council districts after the U.S. Justice Department signed off on the city’s proposed map. The move could set the stage for … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We need to fix birth certificates

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This needs to happen. Texas law prevents gay parents from both being listed on supplemental birth certificate forms for adoptive children. The forms provide space for only one mother, a woman, and one father, a male. The gender-specific language was … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on We need to fix birth certificates

Messing with the primaries

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s like deja vu all over again. State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, has filed a bill to move up the primary one month in even-numbered years, to the first Tuesday in February. Patrick said people in both parties should support … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Messing with the primaries

Here come the craft beer bills

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From Brewed and Never Battered. Senator Kevin Eltife (R-District 1) introduced bi-partisan legislation along with Co-Authors, Senators Brian Birdwell (R-District 22), John Carona (R-District 16), Eddie Lucio (D-District 27), Leticia Van de Putte (D-District 26), Kirk Watson (D-District 14), and … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

No, we shouldn’t be closing any state parks

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

We shouldn’t be closing them in bad times, and we definitely shouldn’t be closing them in good times. “We need to turn up the volume and let people know that our state parks are threatened,” said Ian Davis, director of … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 11

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance sends its best wishes for an early spring to everyone digging out from last week’s blizzard as it brings you this week’s roundup. The school finance ruling has been handed down, and it could be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of February 11

Gambling has always polled well

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to their self-reported efforts to work together, the pro-gambling expansion forces have released a poll showing public sentiment on their side. A poll paid for by Let Texans Decide, a pro-gambling group made up of interests that wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Gambling has always polled well

Repealing the Texas double secret illegal anti-gay marriage amendment

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some things you do because they’re the right thing to do. Reps. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, are seeking to reverse the state’s prohibition against gay marriage or same-sex civil unions. Their proposed constitutional amendments — HJR 77 … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments