Monthly Archives: June 2005

The role of political blogging

Posted on June 24, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Scott went to a panel on bloggers and blogging at a seminar put on by Campaigns and Elections magazine in D.C., and he came away with some very interesting informaiton. I’m going to try to blog this in some more … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on The role of political blogging

Same old same old

Posted on June 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Perry’s plan helps rich at others’ expense Gov. Rick Perry’s plan for property tax relief would provide a windfall for the wealthiest families in Texas, but for lower-income renters the governor’s plan would be a financial drain on the family … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 9 Comments

We need a mall where your house is

Posted on June 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

It’s pretty rare that I side with Rehquist/Scalia/Thomas on any Supreme Court decision over Ginsburg/Stevens/Breyer, but this is one of those times. The Supreme Court ruled today that local governments may seize people’s homes and businesses – even against their … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 15 Comments

More Mofo

Posted on June 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Perry, hipster? Hey, it could happen. Perry’s open-mic gaffe caused a lot of people to take notice. Some were outraged, some pretended to be outraged, and some said, “Dang, who knew our governor knew such a raunchy term?” “I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on More Mofo

The NBA will go on

Posted on June 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The NBA managed to come to a six-year labor agreement on Tuesday, thus avoiding a lockout and possibly having to cancel games next season. I don’t much care one way or the other as to the fine points of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 3 Comments

At least he didn’t call it a “hellhole”

Posted on June 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, Tom DeLay has been taking the same stupid pills as Rick Perry: “You know, if Houston, Texas, was held to the same standard as Iraq is held to, nobody’d go to Houston, because all this reporting coming out of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 8 Comments

Memed again

Posted on June 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Ginger has tagged me with a book meme, so let’s dive in. 1. How many books do you own? I’ve never counted, but we have one bookcase’s worth upstairs (plus an overflow box) and three more cases downstairs, not to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 5 Comments

Toll road followup

Posted on June 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Harris County Commissioners’ Court did hear complaints about its stealth hearings on toll road plans, then went ahead and approved those plans anyway. Art Storey, head of the county’s Public Infrastructure Department, said the county has not given a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Watch that mike, Governor

Posted on June 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

This is more funny than anything else – Rick Perry said a naughty word to a local reporter. We were trying to get the governor to give us details about his education plan. He’s releasing it today, and he didn’t … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 5 Comments

Special session begins

Posted on June 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

So the special session has started. Call me crazy, but the tone of this article shouldn’t give anyone much hope. The initial focus of the new session will be on Republican Speaker Tom Craddick and the GOP majority in the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

No muni Wi-Fi in Houston

Posted on June 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Dwight reports that Houston has shelved for now a plan to install a bunch of Wi-Fi hotspots around town. No details as yet, so I can’t say why, but it is a shame. Hopefully this will get revived soon. I’ll … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

New toll road plan

Posted on June 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not seeing anything in the news on this, but apparently the Harris County Commissioner’s Court has announced plans for five new toll road corriders. There’s a public hearing this morning (oops, sorry about that, well, these things always go … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 5 Comments

Quan not running in CD22

Posted on June 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Houston City Councilman Gordon Quan has announced that he will not run for the Democratic nomination in CD22. He also formally endorsed Nick Lampson for the race. Quan, who had formed an exploratory committee for the 22nd Congressional District in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Quan not running in CD22

Juan Garcia speaks

Posted on June 20, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Juan Garcia, onetime announced candidate for Senate, disappeared off the radar a few weeks ago with a note saying his site was down for maintenance. Bogey McDuff wondered what he was planning now that we know KBH’s Senate seat will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Perry vetoes crime bills

Posted on June 20, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Among the bills that Governor Perry has chosen to veto this time around is HB2193, a bipartisan effort to do some much-needed reform of the probation system. Grits has the details and a little venting about Perry’s shortsightedness and (yes!) … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

BRTs

Posted on June 20, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

All right, I’ve got a few minutes of computer time, so let’s look at three stories from yesterday’s Chron about the Metro plan changes. Here’s a better look at what these Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) things are all about. Las … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 4 Comments

Light blogging ahead

Posted on June 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

We’re off for a few days in Colorado, where it’s warmer than you might think. It’s a business trip for Tiffany; Olivia and I are along for moral support and a little sightseeing. I’ll have limited access to the Net … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 2 Comments

Happy Juneteenth

Posted on June 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Today is also Juneteenth, the 140th anniversary of the day that the slaves in Galveston received word of their emancipation. Julia has a family connection to that event, and tells us a little about it. Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on Happy Juneteenth

Happy Fathers Day!

Posted on June 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Life is sweet, ain’t it? Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 7 Comments

My take on the Perry-Strayhorn matchup

Posted on June 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Now that Carole Keeton Strayhorn has confirmed what we thought we knew when we first heard about today’s hotdog social, it’s time to think about the dynamics of a GOP primary matchup between Strayhorn and Rick Perry, instead of a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 5 Comments

Two opponents for Edwards

Posted on June 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Save Texas Reps says that Al Edwards may get a double-barreled primary challenge, from businessman Borris Miles (whom I’ve mentioned here before) and from attorney Marlen Whitley. Greg thinks a multi-candidate field serves the Edwards opposition well, and I tend … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Two opponents for Edwards

Checking in on DemFest

Posted on June 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not there, but you can pretend you are by reading about what other folks are up to at DemocracyFest in Austin. Here are some accounts by Karl-T, Hope, and PDiddie. The Radnofsky for Senate blog has several posts full … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

The best and worst

Posted on June 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been linked around elsewhere, but here for a limited time is the Texas Monthly Best and Worst Legislators of 2005 list. One thing to keep in mind as you read this: in general, they’re measuring effectiveness, not ideology. Look … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

School funding vetoed, special session called

Posted on June 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. Republican Gov. Rick Perry today vetoed the state’s $35.3 billion public education budget and called lawmakers back to the Capitol to finally find a solution to the school finance dilemma. “I recognize this is a bold step, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Hutchison will run for re-election

Posted on June 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you heare is an awful lot of Republican dominoes not falling down. Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison announced Friday that she will seek a third term in the U.S. Senate, declining to wage a difficult battle against Gov. Rick … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 4 Comments

Look out, here it comes

Posted on June 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I confess, I didn’t think it was going to happen, but apparently it will: Lawmakers will return to Austin Tuesday for a special session on school finance, state Sen. Florence Shapiro said today. Shapiro, a leader on the school funding … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

More on the Sugar Land Kiddie Roundup

Posted on June 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron picks up on the Sugar Land Kiddie Roundup story that we read about last week, and the main piece of news is that Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace is on board with the “it’s not okay for a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 8 Comments

Software glitch sidelines Pick 3

Posted on June 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

More bad news for the Texas Lottery. The Texas Lottery Commission suspended sales of tickets for its Pick 3 game Thursday night after the lottery operator said there was a computer code problem associated with the game. Drawings for the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | Comments Off on Software glitch sidelines Pick 3

Metro supporters feel betrayed

Posted on June 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The people who originally supported Metro’s light rail plan the most strongly are not very happy with the new plan. Two days after Metro’s revised transit plan was announced, criticism was bubbling up in the minority communities whose votes for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 7 Comments

Pete Gallego

Posted on June 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a bit of a groundswell going on in the blogs for State Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine to run for the State Senate seat currently held by Frank Madla of San Antonio – see Andrew D, In the Pink … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Call for independent counsel

Posted on June 16, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Nick Lampson is calling on supporters to send a message to the GOP Congressional leadership urging them to appoint an independent counsel to investigate current allegations against Tom DeLay. Ethics Committee Chair “Doc” Hastings has come under fire lately because … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

What will Carole do?

Posted on June 16, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve noticed a common theme in the coverage of Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn’s hot dog party this weekend. See if you can see what it is. Chron: Strayhorn’s chief political spokesman didn’t return telephone calls Wednesday, but two sources close … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 7 Comments

More on the I-45 tunnel

Posted on June 16, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Press has a nice article on the proposal by local engineer Gonzalo Camacho to redo I-45 from Greenspoint to downtown as a tunnel. What impressed me in this article is how successful Camacho has been at getting skeptics … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

A stir in SD3

Posted on June 16, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Well, well. A Republican candidate for the to-be-vacated SD3 seat has accused outgoing Sen. Todd Staples of asking him to drop out in favor of another candidate. Saying that “back room politics are alive and well in East Texas,” state … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 4 Comments