Monthly Archives: November 2006

CD23 (and HD29) runoff date set

Posted on November 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The runoff date for CD23 and HD29 will be December 12. Two weeks after voters sent U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla and former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez into a runoff, it finally got put on the calendar. Voters go to the polls … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 3 Comments

Judge to order DPS to release Capitol camera footage

Posted on November 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Elsewhere in video camera news, the Texas Observer has won a legal victory that may have some interesting ramifications. From their press release: A state district judge has decided that the Texas Department of Public Safety has no legal right … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 1 Comment

Kubosh’s day in court

Posted on November 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Remember Michael Kubosh and his scheme to challenge the legality of red light cameras? Well, he’s now had his day in court, and he’s one step closer to taking his shot at the red light camera law. Represented by his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Rep. Pena’s temporary home

Posted on November 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Aaron Pena’s blog is suffering from a comment spam attack, so it has moved temporarily to a new home at http://www.aaronpena.com/acapitolblog/. Please update your bookmarks until further notice. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 2 Comments

Bill Gates in 2008?

Posted on November 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via Dwight, here’s a thought from Scott Adams that will either get you nodding your head or recoiling in abject horror. I think that in an election cycle or two you will see an atheist business leader emerge as a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Comments Off on Bill Gates in 2008?

Pig Stands in bankruptcy

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a bad year for iconic old restaurants around here, hasn’t it? La Jaliscience, New Orleans Po Boy, and now the venerable Pig Stands all have joined or are in danger of joining the choir invisible. It’s reputed to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Comments Off on Pig Stands in bankruptcy

On the radio tonight

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll be on the radio tonight, proving once again that I’ve got a voice for blogging, as a guest on Agonist Radio out of San Antonio. Tonight’s lineup is here, which puts me on the air at about 9 PM. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | Comments Off on On the radio tonight

Crime bills to watch

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

As you might imagine, a number of the bills that have been pre-filed for the 80th Lege have to do with crime and punishment. Grits takes a look at some of the good ones, and some of the not so … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Crime bills to watch

CD23 and HD29 updates

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

BOR has updates on the state of the special elections in CD23 and HD29. First, for CD23: The DCCC is on the ground in TX-23. They have made amazing progress in getting Democrat Ciro Rodriguez to actually abide by their … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Another dollar coin is coming

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

They sure are keeping busy over at the Mint. Can George Washington and Thomas Jefferson succeed where Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea failed? The U.S. Mint is hoping U.S. presidents will win acceptance, finally, for the maligned dollar coin. The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 2 Comments

Free WiFi comes to El Paso

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The march of municipal WiFi comes to El Paso. Downtown El Paso soon will be home to a free wireless Internet network. City and county officials say the WiFi network, which will also be available in parts of South El … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 2 Comments

Problems with electronic voting in Hidalgo County

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Pena reprints a article about voting problems in Hidalgo County, which have generated bipartisan complaints. Hidalgo County Republican Party Chairman Hollis Rutledge has contacted Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams personally over the general election vote totals fiasco in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Settlement in janitors’ strike

Posted on November 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

And just like that, the janitors’ strike is over. Here’s an email from the SEIU that explains where they are: Hello everyone, What a difference a day makes! We have reached a tentative agreement for a 3 year contract for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

The janitors’ strike

Posted on November 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’m behind on blogging about the janitors’ strike in Houston – there hasn’t been all that much in the Chronicle, but this WaPo story captures the main point of interest. Ercilia Sandoval, 42, and her impoverished co-workers have become international … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

Bowling

Posted on November 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

So the Chron has projected who’s going to which bowl game this postseason. Has anyone informed Tulsa that they’re doing double duty? GMAC (Jan. 7): Tulsa vs. Ohio New Orleans (Dec. 22): Middle Tennessee State vs. Tulsa Pretty neat trick, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 4 Comments

RIP, Robinson Warehouse

Posted on November 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The old Robinson Warehouse, at the corner of Montrose and Allen Parkway, is facing the wrecking ball. The Aga Khan Foundation purchased just over 11 acres at the corner of Montrose and Allen Parkway to build a Muslim Ismaili center. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 6 Comments

Shelley’s service: Short but not sweet

Posted on November 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I certainly enjoyed this Chron cover story on the travails of CD22’s Congressperson-for-a-day, but I was struck by something as I read these passages: “She has mortally damaged herself for ’08,” said Bill Miller, an Austin media consultant who works … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

RIP, Eatzi’s

Posted on November 20, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via Houstonist, I see that high-end takeout joint Eatzi’s has served its last meal in Houston. EatZi’s Market & Bakery was expected to close its doors at 6 p.m. on Nov. 16. The shelves at the bakery were nearly empty … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 10 Comments

A really expensive symbolic gesture

Posted on November 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

How much would you pay for a really big, really grand important symbolic gesture? The Bush administration’s proposal to secure the nation’s borders with a high-tech “virtual fence” is likely to cost far more than the $2 billion that industry … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 4 Comments

Another TIERS software screwup

Posted on November 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Another day, another screwup in the privatization of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Glitches in the state’s new computer system have left investigators unable to check for fraud and overpayments in food-stamp and other benefit programs in the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

An alternate idea for Houston’s musicians

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Jeff Balke has a detailed and thoughtful response to this post about John Nova Lomax’s proposed pro-music PAC. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on An alternate idea for Houston’s musicians

RIP, Bo Schembechler

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Former University of Michigan coach Bo Schembechler died yesterday at the age of 77. In the end, Michigan vs. Ohio State might have been too much for Bo Schembechler’s failing heart. The man with half-century-old roots to The Game died … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment

Reindictment redux

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Missed this earlier – a Travis County grand jury has reindicted the Texas Association of Business on charges that it illegally spent corporate money on campaign advertising. The re-indictments are an attempt to fix objections by State District Judge Mike … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Reindictment redux

More Williamson election problems

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Well, I thought that the explanation given for the Williamson County vote count discrepancies was a little lacking. Turns out I’m not alone in that. Amid questions about the counting of early votes in the Williamson County elections, Elections Administrator … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on More Williamson election problems

Ellis proposes statewide smoking ban

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

We knew it was coming, and now here it is: State Sen. Rodney Ellis has proposed a statewide smoking ban for bars and restaurants similar to the ones that Houston and Austin now have in place. Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Ellis proposes statewide smoking ban

A pro-music PAC?

Posted on November 18, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

John Nova Lomax has an interesting call to arms. The way I see it, the artists and musicians who made Montrose the creative hotbed it was from about 1965 to 1995 have two choices — fight or flee. In either … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

Enron sentencings and settlements

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Been a rather busy week in Enronland. Let’s catch up a bit: – Jeff Skilling has reached a settlement on all remaining litigation against him by former employees who lost their pensions in the crash. The ex-CEO, who is scheduled … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Enron sentencings and settlements

Bettencourt v. Lampson?

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Kristin Mack brings the news that Harris County Tax Assessor Paul Bettencourt, who was once considered for the write-in slot before demurring, is contemplating a real run for CD22 in 2008. Harris County Tax Assessor-Collecter Paul Bettencourt said he is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Bettencourt v. Lampson?

The Richmond Rail effect

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Last month, I asked the question whether or not John Culberson’s vehement anti-Richmond rail stance would help him in the precincts that immediately surround the affected stretch of Richmond Ave. The question came up again in the cover story that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 5 Comments

Cohen’s key precincts

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, the Houston GLBT community, in particular the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, strongly supported Ellen Cohen in her race against Martha Wong in HD134. They did a ton of blockwalking in four key precincts in Montrose – precincts … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Cohen’s key precincts

Harris County canvass results are out

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The cumulative and canvass reports are now available on the Harris County Clerk website, meaning I can finally get started on some precinct analysis. I’ve got numerous tasks in the queue as you know, but for now, here’s an observation … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Harris County canvass results are out

Shelley wants an investigation!

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

It’s like Christmas every day with Shelley Sekula Gibbs in Congress. Just three days after being sworn in, U.S. Rep. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs wants Congress to investigate the destruction of files in her office by former staff members of her predecessor, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Shelley wants an investigation!

A reason for the Williamson weirdness

Posted on November 17, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall the strange discrepancies in the vote totals from Williamson County as reported by the Secretary of State and the Williamson County Clerk. Via Eye on Williamson, we now have an explanation for what happened. After finalizing all … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Is this the end for Jordy Tollett?

Posted on November 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Though I disagree with his conclusion, I kind of like the way Marc Campos phrased this: “Quien es mas macho, Jordy Tollett or Houston Mayor Bill White?” Longtime local booster and political insider Jordy Tollett intends to fight for his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment