Monthly Archives: July 2006

Look! Roadkill!

Posted on July 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I love stories like this. Not many folks like to stick around when the rubber meets the reptile. But Jim Christiansen sees opportunity in roadkill, not a mess. Christiansen started the Sun City Reptile and Amphibian mapping project shortly after … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on Look! Roadkill!

Sunday campaign finance report update

Posted on July 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via email from his campaign manager, Shane Sklar‘s report has been amended to show $118K cash on hand, not $113K. He still trails Ron Paul by a fair amount, but Paul’s own fundraising prowess has not been too impressive. Also … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Email delivery problems

Posted on July 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

My webhost is apparently having some having some problems that appear to be affecting my mail delivery. I say this because I haven’t seen any new mail since 6 PM last night, and I’ve verified that I don’t get a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Administrivia | Comments Off on Email delivery problems

Juan Garcia and the state race money reports

Posted on July 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Candidates in state races have the same July 17 reporting deadline as federal candidates. While the FEC reports are starting to come in, the Texas Ethics Commission reports are arriving at a much slower rate so far. The TEC search … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Juan Garcia and the state race money reports

Three more Metro meetings on Universities rail

Posted on July 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Metro has three more open house meetings in the next two weeks to discuss the Universities rail line. The following open house sessions have been scheduled to convey important updated information. Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 Time: 5 p.m. to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Quarterly report time

Posted on July 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Just a few bits and pieces from the second quarter FEC filings as they trickle in. All results as of June 30. I’m sure he won’t have any problems raising more dough, but it’s still surprising to see John Culberson … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Quarterly report time

Many more maps

Posted on July 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’m counting a total of twelve new maps available for viewing at the Texas Redistricting site. My eyes are a little crossed from looking at all of this – the RedViewer is a great resource, but an annoying one as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Many more maps

Larry Dierker, blogger

Posted on July 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle’s blog empire just got a little more interesting with the addition of former Astros manager Larry Dierker to its stable. Dierk was a pretty insightful analyst on TV (as well as a not-too-shabby manager), so it’ll be very … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Larry Dierker, blogger

Voting Rights Act extension (finally) approved

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. After a day of debate, the House voted 390-33 to renew the [Voting Rights Act of 1965], which is intended to ensure no voting jurisdiction illegally suppresses the votes of minorities or of citizens who might have difficulty … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 3 Comments

First look at the new maps

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Proposals for new Congressional maps are starting to come in for examination by the three-judge panel. LULAC is first out of the blocks, with two maps that make changes to five districts. I’ve got a look at them over at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on First look at the new maps

Dunnam requests lobbying contract audit

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Another one from the inbox: [Yesterday] morning, State Representative Jim Dunnam announced his request that the Texas State Auditor begin a comprehensive audit of four different lobbying contracts that state-funded entities have with Tom DeLay’s former chief of staff, Drew … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Dunnam requests lobbying contract audit

Cohen’s big fundraising quarter

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

And another Democratic challenger checks in with a big fundraising total for the second quarter – Ellen Cohen raked in over $200K between April 1 and June 30, bringing her grand total to over $372K. Almost 70% of that total … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Cohen’s big fundraising quarter

A letter to Metro from RichmondRail.org

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The folks at RichmondRail.org have sent the following letter to Metro: TO: Mr. David S. Wolff, METRO Mr. Frank Wilson, METRO Members of the METRO board CC: Mr. John Culberson, Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee, Ms. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Mr. John … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Jim Henley and his champion debate squad

Posted on July 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to Jim Henley and his four-time national champion debate squad! Lanier Middle School debate coach Jim Henley isn’t surprised with his team winning its fourth successive national title at the Middle School Forensic League National Championships July 1-2 at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Jim Henley and his champion debate squad

The circle of disk jockey life

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Okay, let me see if I’ve got this straight. KHMX fires morning DJs Roula and Ryan and replaces them with former KRBE spinner Sam Malone. Now KRBE has fired its replacement morning crew of Atom (former evening DJ) and Maria … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

DeLay says he “cannot run” in Texas

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Republican Party of Texas had better hope for a favorable outcome from their appeal of Judge Sparks’ ruling in the DeLay ballot replacement lawsuit, because DeLay himself says he can’t be the candidate. Today on Fox, DeLay was asked … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 3 Comments

Going on the rebuttal

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I wrote before that I was puzzled by the seeming lack of aggression by the prosecutors in the second Andrea Yates trial, since it appeared they were doing very little cross examination of defense witnesses. Whatever the case was there, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Going on the rebuttal

Report card time for Chief Hurtt

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt is about to get graded by the rank and file, and he’s expecting to see some harsh evaluations. Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt said he looks forward to reading the results of a survey from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

Attorney General opinion sought on state abortion laws

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. David Swinford has asked AG Greg Abbott for an opinion on whether changes to the state’s abortion laws could lead to capital murder charges for doctors. Swinford said he disagrees with the interpretation by the Texas District and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 5 Comments

Burnam wants TEC opinion on gift disclosures

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall that State Rep. Lon Burnam filed suit in April to force the Texas Ethics Commission to reverse its incredibly boneheaded ruling that public officials who receive cash or other gifts don’t have to disclose their value (see … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Burnam wants TEC opinion on gift disclosures

Fire Accenture!

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers wants to fire Accenture for its poor performance. Sixty state representatives asked the Health and Human Services Commission today to fire the contractor in charge of processing applications for Texas’ low-cost insurance program for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Fire Accenture!

Today’s the day for the VRA

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Vince has been staying on top of the fight to renew the Voting Rights Act. A group of Republicans, including the three Texans listed in the banner atop Vince’s post, have held up the VRA’s renewal, which was supposed to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Today’s the day for the VRA

Blockwalk with Kristi Thibaut

Posted on July 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Kristi Thibaut, who had a nice fundraising haul this past quarter, is looking for some blockwalk volunteers this weekend. Please come out and help Kristi on Saturday if you have the time. Councilmember Ronald Green, Richard Garcia (candidate for Harris … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Blockwalk with Kristi Thibaut

Strayhorn sues (again)

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

One Litigious Grandma is wearing out a path to the courthouse. Independent candidate for governor Carole Keeton Strayhorn sued the Texas secretary of state today in her attempt to have the nickname “Grandma” listed along with her full name on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Three million bucks

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Nick Lampson juggernaut continues apace. Nick Lampson, the Democrat who faced former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on the November ballot until DeLay resigned, has raised more than $600,000 during the most recent reporting period, bringing his total raised to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Three million bucks

Alabama-Coushatta sue over casino closure

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be exciting. A Texas Indian tribe filed a federal lawsuit today alleging ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed and their associates engaged in fraud and racketeering to shut down the tribe’s casino. The Alabama-Coushatta … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Alabama-Coushatta sue over casino closure

Texas Lottery: Still screwed up

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, remember the inflated Texas Lotto jackpot scandal, the one that cost unqualified Perry crony Reagan Greer his job? It was supposed to have been fixed last year. Well, not quite, according to an audit of the Texas Lottery Commission. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | 1 Comment

Earle sues over DeLay investigation information request

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Travis County DA Ronnie Earle wants to keep some of the details about his investigation of Tom DeLay a secret. Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle doesn’t want to release details about his investigation of former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Notes from the leading edge of the satire curve

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve said before that I greatly respect The Onion for its ability to stay ahead of the satire curve in these crazy times. Alas, sometimes being so far out on the cutting edge can lead to casualties. John has the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | Comments Off on Notes from the leading edge of the satire curve

HouStoned

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Press blog that we were promised recently is now available. It’s called HouStoned, and while we can certainly expect a lot of music content, it looks like it will indeed be covering a fairly wide range of things … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on HouStoned

WiFi in Corpus Christi

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Dwight links to a story on the municipal WiFi rollout in Corpus Christi. The network, projected to be complete this summer, could drive down Internet prices around town and increase service quality. City officials also envision the wireless access making … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on WiFi in Corpus Christi

Full speed ahead!

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Would you pay a toll if you could drive faster? Via Toll Road News, you may get that opportunity, in Austin and perhaps soon elsewhere. Posted speed limits are a major financial issue in the terms of the toll concession … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 6 Comments

Yates defense rests

Posted on July 11, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The defense rested today in the Andrea Yates trial after her best friend testified that “she became a zombie” after the birth of her fourth child. Next up is the rebuttal phase, which will bring the reappearance of an old … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Yates defense rests

Winter wins Mapchangers

Posted on July 11, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

It didn’t quite go as I hoped, but I can’t complain. After an exciting few weeks the MapChangers contest has come to a close. More than 9,000 people voted over the course of the contest, casting 18,500 votes. In a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment