Monthly Archives: March 2016

Electric bikes

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know. Hundreds of local residents over the weekend strapped on helmets to ride motorized bikes as a way to showcase yet another way for Houstonians to traverse the city’s often congested streets. The free promotional rides at Rice … Continue reading →

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

Will driverless cars fix Houston’s traffic problems?

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Tory Gattis thinks they might. The second step is understanding the ramifications of coming new technologies — specifically self-driving cars. While the general vehicle fleet will take decades to turn over as people slowly replace their cars, we can expect … Continue reading →

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

Lawsuit filed over voter registration problems

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the Texas Civil Rights Project: In a lawsuit filed this morning in a San Antonio federal court, the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) challenged voter registration procedures at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). As the Complaint explains, … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Supreme Court declines to intervene in Austin Uber referendum

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Who knew they could do that? The Texas Supreme Court on Monday declined to order the Austin City Council to rewrite the ballot language on the proposed ride-hailing ordinance that will go before voters May 7. Austin music manager Samantha … Continue reading →

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Runoff watch: Legislative races

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to spend a few posts looking at the runoff elections that will be on the ballot this May. Primary runoffs are completely different than regular primaries, mostly because the races involved are low profile and only the hardest … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Court hears arguments over paying Paxton’s prosecutors

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I am rooting for this to be thrown out of court. Dallas County Court at Law Judge Mark Greenberg heard arguments Friday over jurisdictional issues in the civil case brought by taxpayer Jeffory Blackard. Blackard is challenging the $300 per … Continue reading →

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

Uber to abandon Corpus Christi

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Another one bites the dust. In what has become a familiar move for Uber, the vehicle-for-hire company announced Wednesday it will cease operations in Corpus Christi, pointing to “unnecessary” regulations recently adopted by the city. Corpus Christi’s City Council approved … Continue reading →

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

New EPA rules for methane coming

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

You know what will follow. Building on already pending rules to cut methane leaks from both new oil and gas wells and those on federal lands, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now plans to bring to the oil sector the … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for March 13

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

High School Musical 4: The Next Generation is a thing that will happen, though not quite under that title. Rob Gronkowski is your new Mister Rogers. Sort of. “We found that people who eat chocolate at least once a week … Continue reading →

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Not everyone likes the latest hurricane surge protection plan

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Yet another obstacle. A new proposal to protect the Houston area from hurricanes is reigniting controversy, and potentially diminishing the odds that a consensus will emerge anytime soon on the best plan to safeguard the nation’s fifth-largest metropolitan area. Since … Continue reading →

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One recount settled

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

One down, one to go. Challenger Hugh Shine secured victory Thursday in the Republican primary for Texas House District 55, defeating incumbent state Rep. Molly White by 104 votes after a recount, according to Bell County GOP chairwoman Nancy Boston. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SCOTUS upholds same-sex adoption rights

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Awesome. The U.S. Supreme Court in a victory for gay rights ruled Monday that states must honor adoptions by same-sex parents who move across state lines. Citing the Constitution’s “full faith and credit” clause, the justices in a unanimous opinion … Continue reading →

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Bu-ee’s to expand to Louisiana

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The road to world domination leads east. The first Buc-ee’s outside Texas promises lagniappe, a little bonus, worthy of its Louisiana locale. “It’s going to look like what we build, and it’s going to feel like what we build,” co-owner … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: If I Had A Hammer

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s national treasure Pete Seeger, with an introduction by John Mellencamp: The recording I have of this comes from a Smithsonian collection, with Seeger leading and being backed up by a church choir, with him doing it singalong style, as … Continue reading →

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Recycling agreement reached

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the Mayor’s office: Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that he has reached agreement with Waste Management (WM) on a proposed new contract that will allow the city to continue offering recycling services without any disruption. The proposal, expected to be … Continue reading →

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

Supreme Court asked to weigh in on Austin rideshare referendum

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Of course it is. The Texas Supreme Court has been pulled into the ongoing battle between Uber and the City of Austin. An Austin resident, supported by Uber, has asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on the ballot language … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016, Legal matters, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Space City” trademark lawsuit

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating. Houston’s convention bureau is suing the operators of a popular local convention over the use of “Space City” in its name, claiming it infringes on a 12-year-old trademark. The convention in question, Space City Comic Con, also happens to … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Our long national breakfast taco nightmare is finally over

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

At long last, peace in our time. With an escalating culinary battle threatening to destabilize the region, the mayors of Austin and San Antonio met Thursday morning to announce a taco truce. “As St. Paul admonishes us, let us not be … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Friday random ten: In the city, part 1

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve done Random Ten lists based on songs with state names, but I haven’t done any based on city names. 1. Abilene – Yes 2. Albuquerque – Weird Al Yankovic 3. All The Way To Memphis – Mott the Hoople … Continue reading →

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Full Fifth Circuit will hear voter ID appeal

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go again. The full U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to take up the Texas voter ID case Wednesday, adding another chapter to the law’s convoluted journey through the federal court system. The decision to hear the … Continue reading →

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

Now what for recycling?

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Sure hope there’s a plan. Houston’s curbside recycling program is in limbo after Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council rejected a new contract with Waste Management on Wednesday, prompting concern among residents and environmental activists about a potential lapse in … Continue reading →

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

Shots fired at Sen. Whitmire’s office

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Jesus. State Sen. John Whitmire said Thursday afternoon he believes the gun used in the predawn shooting of his Houston-area office was likely an AR-15 assault rifle. The Houston Democrat’s office was fired on at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday. No … Continue reading →

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Travis County GOP shakes its fist at its new Chair

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Poor babies. At a packed Travis County GOP executive committee meeting Tuesday night, it took less than a minute for someone to acknowledge the elephant not in the room. “Give us wisdom to deal with the situation that we’re in,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016 | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Recycling contract impasse

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Uh, oh. The city of Houston’s curbside recycling program could be put on hold after negotiations between Waste Management and Mayor Sylvester Turner’s office reached an apparent impasse over a new contract Tuesday. Though Turner said he remains committed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Turner files amicus brief for Obama’s immigration executive action

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The city of Houston has added its voice to a friend of the court brief in the looming U.S. Supreme Court showdown over President Obama’s late-2014 executive actions on immigration, Mayor Sylvester Turner said Tuesday. Calling the president’s decisions … Continue reading →

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More on the draft bike plan

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the Chron. The Houston Bike Plan identifies $300 million to $500 million in improvements aimed at encouraging cycling and bringing more accessibility to every corner of the city via paths, off-street trails and safer lanes where cyclists share the … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of March 7

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance congratulates all the winners of last week’s primary elections as it brings you this week’s roundup. Off the Kuff explored the pros and cons of Universal Vote By Mail. Libby Shaw contributing to Daily Kos argues … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2016 Republican Presidential primary

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

How did things look on the Republican side, with its record-breaking (though not 2008 level) turnout? Dist Cruz Trump Rubio Cruz% Trump% Rubio% ====================================================== 126 9,206 5,012 3,604 46.45% 25.29% 18.18% 127 13,475 6,585 4,579 49.53% 24.20% 16.83% 128 10,789 … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Supreme Court hears that case about how stupid our tax system is

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a lot of money riding on the outcome. With billions of dollars at stake, the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a tax showdown whose outcome could shake up the next legislative session while straining the historically friendly … Continue reading →

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Year 2 for “One Sticker”

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Surely this year will go more smoothly. Texas dropped its familiar green safety inspection sticker a year ago, creating confusion for millions of vehicle and trailer owners in the state. Though inspections didn’t change – but might soon, as some … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Those damn dams

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

In case you didn’t have enough to worry about. Here’s the deal with what could be a terrible threat to Houston: most of the time, it isn’t. In fact, it’s a 26,000 acre recreational greenspace on Houston’s west side. It … Continue reading →

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

Precinct analysis: 2016 Democratic Presidential primary

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I love the smell of precinct data in the morning, don’t you? Here’s a breakdown of the Democratic Presidential primary vote for Harris County: Dist Bernie Hillary Bernie% Hill% ====================================== 126 2,315 4,649 33.04% 66.35% 127 2,621 4,905 34.54% 64.64% … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2016, The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Supreme Court to decide just how stupid our tax system is

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, goody. The Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear arguments in a case that could deliver a multi-billion windfall to struggling oil and gas producers by taking a major bite out of state tax revenue. The issue before the … Continue reading →

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Is there anything more to the Rick Perry case?

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’m dubious. The special prosecutor in the abuse-of-power case against Rick Perry said Thursday he still hasn’t decided whether to drop the matter a week after the state’s highest criminal court ordered that the indictment against the former governor be … Continue reading →

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