Tag Archives: constitutional amendments

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

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

One big happy pro-gambling expansion family

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

If the pro-gambling forces in the state all join hands and agree to work together, will this finally be the year that gambling expansion gets a vote? Maybe. John Montford, chairman of Let Texans Decide, a coalition of gaming companies, … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sunsetting tax expenditures

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Sens. John Carona and Rodney Ellis have the right idea. Over the past 18 months, many of our constituents told us they have trouble finding a reliable, accurate and up-to-date source of information on these tax breaks, exemptions and special … Continue reading →

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

School Land Board votes to transfer $300 million to Available School Fund

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Trib: The School Land Board voted Tuesday to release $300 million into the Available School Fund for public schools. The money will be released in two $150 million installments, one in February and the other on June. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on School Land Board votes to transfer $300 million to Available School Fund

How long before marriage equality comes to Texas?

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

As is so often the case, the state of Texas will lag behind the rest of the country on the issue. If DOMA is struck down, questions will be raised about states that don’t recognize same-sex marriages and if it … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why gay marriage is inevitable

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Professor Stephen Klineberg – you know, the fancy movie star – looks at 30 years worth of Houston Area Survey data and sees the future. The findings from the 31st year of the Kinder Houston Area Survey (1982-2012) will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Why gay marriage is inevitable

Parker joins other mayors in push for marriage equality

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Good for her. Good for all of them. Houston Mayor Annise Parker seized the vanguard of a drive by 78 mayors Friday to win the equal rights of marriage for gay couples, donning a national leadership role that contrasts sharply … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Election results elsewhere

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Results of interest from elsewhere in Texas and the country… – Three of the ten Constitutional amendments were defeated, with Prop 4 losing by nearly 20 points. It drew strong opposition from anti-toll road activists, and I daresay that was … Continue reading →

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

Overview of the Constitutional amendments

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron gives an overview of the Constitutional amendments on this year’s ballot. College students, veterans’ widows and land owners who conserve water could be among the beneficiaries if voters approve 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on Nov. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: For Prop 2

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron recommends a Yes vote on another Constitutional amendment. If there were ever a summer to remind us of Texas’ water problems, this was it. During months of drought and earth-cracking heat, our reservoirs dipped, cities restricted water usage … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: For Prop 8

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

After two weeks of following a predictable path, the Chron veers off in an unclear direction. Proposition 8, on this year’s ballot, is easy for everyone to love. It’s supported by farmers and city dwellers. Republicans and Democrats (the supporting … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Constitutional amendments

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to all of the local races that will be on your ballot next month, there are ten Constitutional amendments up for ratification. Unlike some previous years, and somewhat surprisingly given the divisive and ideological nature of the session, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Constitutional amendments

Constitutional amendments for 2011

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

There will be ten constitutional amendments on the ballot this November. I may revise this opinion later, but my initial impression is that none of them are particularly controversial or momentous. No cancer bonds, no tort “reform”, no gambling – … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Constitutional amendments for 2011

Some gambling advances in the House

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s probably too little too late, but you never know. A Texas House committee surprised the casino lobby Friday night when it voted out legislation that would allow video lottery terminals — slot machines — at state racetracks and Indian … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Some gambling advances in the House

House says it may be close to approving expanded gambling

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This would be as far as they’ve gotten in recent sessions. Rep. Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton, R-Mauriceville, who chairs the Licensing and Administrative Procedures committee, said he is close to having enough votes to pass his ever-morphing gambling bill. As Hamilton … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on House says it may be close to approving expanded gambling

Time for a corporate income tax?

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe, but don’t hold your breath waiting for it to happen. Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, said legislators should consider a constitutional amendment that would clarify that an income tax could be assessed on corporations but not individuals. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Time for a corporate income tax?

Horse racing folks feeling good about gambling’s chances this time

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

They always say that, but maybe this time they’re right. The chief executive officer at Retama Park expressed cautious optimism Thursday that the state could one day allow slot machines at horse racetracks, a move that has long been deemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Horse racing folks feeling good about gambling’s chances this time

What to do with the SBOE?

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Lege has many ideas about what to do with the state’s most embarrassing branch of government, some of which are better than others. State Rep. Roberto Alonzo (D-Dallas), wants the SBOE abolished under his House Bill 881 and all … Continue reading →

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

Legislation to allow slot machines filed

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Fresh from the inbox: BI-PARTISAN LEGISLATION FILED TO ALLOW STATEWIDE VOTE ON SLOTS AT TEXAS TRACKS, INDIAN RESERVATIONS AUSTIN, Texas — Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) and Texas State Representative Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) filed legislation today to allow … Continue reading →

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

All eyes on the Senate

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this: Republicans hold a 19-12 majority in the Senate, but 21 senators need to agree to bring the bill to a vote, so Democrats have two members who can make a stand on … Continue reading →

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

State Supreme Court asked to reconsider open beaches verdict

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck with that. Galveston has joined key state agencies in pleading with the court to reconsider a ruling that favors private property rights over public access to Texas shores. “I think the Supreme Court really needs to understand the … Continue reading →

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

Taxes and fees

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The last time a Republican-dominated Legislature got together to deal with a multi-billion dollar deficit, they found many ways to squeeze more money out of the citizenry through more and higher fees, though they later bragged about not raising taxes. … Continue reading →

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

Gambling and the deficit

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve said before that regardless of what you hear from gambling proponents about the potential for expanded gambling to help with the current budget deficit, you should not expect anything this biennium. I’m glad to see that I’m not the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Gambling and the deficit

And in case you were wondering about gambling

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

And to complete this impromptu three–parter about the state’s budget situation, we ask the question “What about gambling?” Lawmakers had been warned to expect a shortfall of at least $11 billion in the next two-year budget period. But Appropriations Chairman … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Two for Treasurer

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As of today, there are two declared Democratic candidates for Harris County Treasurer – Chad Khan, a three-time candidate for State Representative, and attorney Billy Briscoe, whose press release is beneath the fold. As you may recall, I spent a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More thoughts about yesterday’s results

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

– I didn’t note it last night, but all 11 Constitutional amendments passed. No surprise there, they almost always do. – Looking back at my turnout projections, the right number to go with was the 30% scenario. As it happens, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Endorsement watch: Jewish Herald Voice and African-American News

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here are some last-minute endorsements, for those of you who plan to do your civic duty on Tuesday. First, from the Jewish Herald Voice: City of Houston, General Election Mayor Annise D. Parker Council Member, District A Amy Peck Council … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bad web info! Bad! Bad!

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle would like to remind you that you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the Internet. Or in your Inbox, for that matter. The Internet is the wonder of our age — a peerless tool for assembling information quickly. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Bad web info! Bad! Bad!

Endorsement watch: BOR on the constitutional amendments

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve mentioned the conservative Blue Dot Blues‘ analyses of the eleven constitutional amendments that are on the ballot. Now we have a good progressive analysis of them as well, along with recommendations, courtesy of the Burnt Orange Report. I’m largely … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: BOR on the constitutional amendments

More in support of Prop 4

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Many groups and individuals are supporting Proposition 4, which is the constitutional amendment to help create more Tier One universities in Texas. One local group in favor of Prop 4 is the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Chron on Prop 9

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Proposition 9 on the ballot would make Texas’ Open Beaches Act of 1959 and add it to the state constitution. This Chron story is an overview of it. “People who use the beach think of it as a public park,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Chron on Prop 9

Endorsement watch: At Large

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Having dispatched with the District Council races yesterday, the Chron continues with the schedule I’d hoped they’d follow by making their endorsements in the At Large races. As I thought, they went with incumbents Sue Lovell in #2 and Jolanda … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Opposition to Prop 4

Posted on October 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Prop 4, the Tier 1 Universities constitutional amendment, has gotten a lot of support across the spectrum. Any high-profile amendment will always have some opposition, however, and Prop 4 no exception. A proposed constitutional amendment to help the University of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment