Monthly Archives: October 2007

Doing the referendum shuffle

The other day, Tiffany said to me “How are you voting on all these amendments and referendums? I don’t know enough about them to know what’s what. I’m depending on you to help me figure it out.” Which means I’d … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 5 Comments

“Get Ashby High”

This is the best comment I’ve seen on the Bissonnet high rise situation: If you’ve seen one of the ubiquitous yard signs in the area, you’ll get the joke. This sign was on a telephone pole at Shepherd and Bissonnet. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Historic? Check. Protected? Not so much

The good news. After three years of hard work by members of the Avondale Historic Committee, Houston City Council has approved Avondale West as the city’s ninth historic district. It is the second historic for Montrose. The Avondale East Historic … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Citywide WiFi

Interesting article from CNet on the current state of citywide WiFi projects. Despite the recent onslaught of bad press, citywide and regional Wi-Fi networks are not dead. In fact, cities, such as Corpus Christi, Texas; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Philadelphia, are … Continue reading Continue reading

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

Still work to be done before the rail lines get built

Christof takes a look at the state of the Metro 2012 Plan now that we know they’ll be pursuing light rail on all routes instead of BRT. METRO needs to re-examine how the Southeast and Harrisburg lines get into Downtown. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

For whom you gonna root?

Chad Orzel asks: If you’re a fan of a team in a sport with a championship playoff, who do you root for when your team is out? I’ve been mocking Rudy Giuliani over at Kuff’s World for his patently phony … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

Council approves Woodlands deal

The Woodlands non-annexation deal has been approved by City Council. Houston will not annex The Woodlands under a deal approved unanimously by City Council on Wednesday. Woodlands residents still have three propositions related to the agreement on the Nov. 6 … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Council approves Woodlands deal

E-filing execution appeals

From the Why Didn’t We Think Of This Before department: A petition signed by 309 Texas lawyers — including two former state Supreme Court justices — was filed Wednesday asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to accept electronic filings … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on E-filing execution appeals

Reminder: TexBlog PAC fundraiser on Monday

The first Houston fundraiser for the TexBlog PAC will be this Monday, October 29, at 5:30 PM at the home of David Mincberg. Details are here. If you’re reading this, you’re invited. I’ve sent email, and I’ve created a Facebook … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Reminder: TexBlog PAC fundraiser on Monday

The Chief blogger

Miya reports that HPD Chief Harold Hurtt is going to launch his own blog soon. I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking that calls for a Name That Blog contest. My (lame) suggestion: Hurtts So Good. I know you … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Blog stuff | 5 Comments

Bonds here, bonds there

The local GOP speaks about the bonds. They haven’t grabbed the publicity of the politicians and preachers opposing the Houston school district’s bond proposal, but critics of the school bonds in nearby Cypress-Fairbanks and Spring Branch promise to keep plugging … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Community college funding finally fixed

The great community college funding fiasco has finally come to a resolution. Texas community colleges will get $154 million in vetoed money after all under a deal struck by top state leaders including Gov. Rick Perry, who had deleted the … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Community college funding finally fixed

The phantom vibration menace

When I read this story, I had to check to make sure I wasn’t reading The Onion. Many mobile phone addicts and BlackBerry junkies report feeling vibrations when there are none, or feeling as if they’re wearing a cell phone … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

Council to vote on Woodlands deal today

On the Council agenda today: the deal to not annex the Woodlands. Woodlands residents have begun early voting on three ballot propositions related to the area’s future. Although unable to vote on the agreement themselves, the residents will decide whether … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Council to vote on Woodlands deal today

Token tax cut passes

Harris County Commissioners Court has approved the token tax cut that was proposed last week. Here’s all you need to know: The cut will save the average homeowner whose home is worth about $161,000 about $12 annually. Corporations with large … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

Now what for Noriega?

Here’s today’s Chron story about the state of the Senate race, now that it’s just Rick Noriega pursuing the Democratic nomination. Noriega said he is not worried as much about how to run the campaign as to make sure it … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Now what for Noriega?

Interview with Paula Harris

I thought I was done with candidate interviews for this election cycle, but after I posted that I heard from Paula Harris, who is running for HISD Trustee in District 4, and made an arrangement to talk to her. Harris … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Observer versus DPS in court today

Today is the day that the Texas Observer tries once again to get the Department of Public Safety to hand over some security tapes so it can see if GOP sugar daddy James Leininger was illegally lobbying the Lege inside … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Legal matters | Comments Off on Observer versus DPS in court today

Crime lab review panel begins its work

The panel appointed by the district court judges to review and take action on the remaining cases affected by the HPD Crime Lab problems has gotten underway. Harris County judges Monday began re-examining 180 criminal convictions involving problematic Houston crime … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Crime lab review panel begins its work

Scaife v Scaife

Oh my God. This story of the incredibly messy, vicious, and tawdry divorce fight between right-wing sugar daddy Richard Mellon Scaife and his second wife Margaret Ritchie Scaife, is the guiltiest pleasure I’ve had in awhile. Just read this bit, … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Society and cultcha | Comments Off on Scaife v Scaife

Why lotteries make me queasy, in a nutshell

I’ve expressed my ambivalence about state-sanctioned gambling before. On the one hand, I’ve got enough civil libertarian in me to be wary of outlawing clearly popular activities like gambling. On the other hand, the gambling industry, especially the state lottery … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Jackpot! | Comments Off on Why lotteries make me queasy, in a nutshell

Bush 41 endorses Prop 15

Here’s a press release from the Lance Armstrong Foundation: President George H. W. Bush today announced his support for Proposition 15, a measure championed by the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) that will establish the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute of … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

The HISD District 2 trustee overview

I guess I better stop saying things like “this is the last campaign overview story for this cycle”, because I keep being wrong about that, as today’s piece on the HISD District 2 trustee race demonstrates. Northeast Houston is home … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on The HISD District 2 trustee overview

Proposition 4

The Chron takes a look at State Proposition 4, to my mind one the genuinely contentious issues on the ballot. Texans who want nicer state parks or who support funding to preserve historic courthouses will have to read between the … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Watts dropping out of Senate race

Whoa. San Antonio-based attorney Mikal Watts will announce this morning that he is pulling out of the race for U.S. Senate, the Guardian has learned. Watts, a Democrat, made calls to close supporters early this morning to explain his decision. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Early voting Google map

If you don’t like (or can’t read) the PDF map of early voting locations as put out by the County Clerk’s office, try Matt Stiles’ Google map instead. Click on the pins to get street addresses and directions. There’s a … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Early voting Google map

Craddick D update

Phillip Martin has a useful chart listing the 15 Craddick Democrats from last session and giving an update as to their current status. The bottom line: Of the 15, there are definitely 5 fewer supporters for Craddick, two “maybes” (three, … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Craddick D update

The Pearland anti-smoking referendum

Remember the kids from Pearland who got an anti-smoking referendum on their city’s ballot after failing to get a measure passed by the city council? Well, now they’re campaiging to get it passed next month. Voters will decide Nov. 6 … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Metro’s five year plan

As we know with last week’s announcement, Metro is about to begin construction on five new light rail lines. The Metro blog talks a bit more about how they will go about doing it. We’ve said we would deliver all … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of October 22

It’s the Early Voting Has Begun edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance blog roundup. Click on to read the highlights. Continue reading

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of October 22

Ronnie Earle to retire?

Paul Burka says yes. All signs point to Earle’s retirement as district attorney. The first indication I received was an e-mail from a prospective candidate: Paul, I am writing to inform you of my decision to commence an exploratory campaign … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

The Mayoral race

OK, I suppose technically this story about Mayor White’s political future and not the HCC trustee story will be the last campaign overview article in the Chron for this election cycle. It only barely qualifies as a campaign overview story … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 3 Comments

Saavedra speaks

HISD Superintendant Abelardo Saavedra speaks to the Chron about the bumpy ride the bond referendum has had. I just want to highlight one piece of this, which to my mind explains why the ride has been bumpy better than anything … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Saavedra speaks

Early voting begins today

Early voting begins today for the November 6 election. Early voting begins today in the Nov. 6 general election, which includes 16 constitutional amendments proposed by Texas lawmakers, the city of Houston’s mayoral and council elections, $805 million in bonds … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2007 | 2 Comments