Monthly Archives: February 2008

Support resolutions to reform youth and adult corrections

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Grits has a great idea. With so many folks attending their precinct conventions for the first time, I decided to craft two criminal justice related resolutions for readers to propose when they go, and we’re going to run a little … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Support resolutions to reform youth and adult corrections

Disclose!

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Yes, please. Amid renewed attention to ethics in Harris County government, some elected officials appear open to closing a loophole that keeps secret senior employees’ outside income, real estate holdings or business connections. State law requires county judges, commissioners and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Disclose!

Let there be ads!

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Just a few observations about the various forms of paid political outreach going on out there these days. As we know, there’s some yard signs out there, and I’m starting to see more of them as well as some bumper … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

City moves to buy land for Dynamo Stadium

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We are getting closer to a Dynamo Stadium deal. The city of Houston has offered more than $15.5 million to buy five downtown blocks that could be the future site of a soccer stadium for the Houston Dynamo. The City … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment

Rosenthal’s deal with the AG

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron has more about Chuck Rosenthal’s overdue departure from the DA’s office, which happened when he resigned on Friday after admitting to problems with prescription drugs. Chuck Rosenthal’s resignation last week came in response to a straightforward offer from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Rosenthal’s deal with the AG

The Answer

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Today is my forty-second birthday, which I feel should bring me one step closer to understanding what life, the Universe, and everything is all about. If I get any blinding insights, I’ll be sure to share them. As always with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 5 Comments

Candidate Q&A: Ruben Guerrero

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates. 1. Who are you and what are you running for? Ruben Guerrero, running … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Candidate Q&A: Ruben Guerrero

Candidate Q&A: Jim Leitner

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I’m focused on the Democratic primary races, of which there are many in Harris County. But there are some interesting races on the Republican side as well, and up till now no one has tried to do … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Candidate Q&A: Jim Leitner

Endorsement watch: Repeating ourselves

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s what the Chron has to say today at the start of early voting: The Democratic and Republican parties of Texas will hold their primary elections on Tuesday, March 4. Early voting begins today. A complete list of Chronicle endorsements … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Repeating ourselves

When planners and anti-planners collide

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be interesting. From the Houston Politics blog: In this corner, former Mayor Bob Lanier and consultant Wendell Cox. In that corner, Gulf Coast Institute President David Crossley and Virginia Tech planning professor Arthur Nelson. What’s this fight … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on When planners and anti-planners collide

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 18

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Happy Start Of Early Voting Day! To help you celebrate, and to give you something to do as you wait on line to cast that early vote, here’s this week’s Texas Progressive Alliance blog roundup. Enjoy! Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of February 18

Endorsement watch: One for Criss

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Statesman becomes the first of the Big Five papers to endorse Judge Susan Criss for the Supreme Court in Place 8. They also join the crowd in endorsing Sam Houston for Place 7. Democrats have a choice in two … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: One for Criss

Endorsement watch: The outlier

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

PoliTex notes the lone Texas newspaper among the five biggest to stump for someone other than John McCain in the Republican Presidential primary is the Dallas Morning News, who went for Mike Huckabee. The post says that they made this … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: The outlier

Candidate interview: Dexter Handy

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. I am also doing written Q&As with judicial candidates. One race that I almost overlooked among the many contested primaries here in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Candidate interview: Dexter Handy

Endorsement watch: Some catching up

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Perhaps finally realizing that Early Voting starts tomorrow, the Chron throws out a bunch of endorsements to try and catch up. It’s a fairly long list, so I’ll put it beneath the fold. Three items to note: One, they did … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Some catching up

It’s not about the fares, it’s about the service

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Christof and former City Council member Carroll Robinson have an op-ed in the Chron that’s a response to the Bill King piece that called for Metro to do away with the fare box. They make some excellent points. Eliminating the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Upper Kirby update

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Houston Intown magazine has an update on the impending Upper Kirby facelift/street widening, which will have the unfortunate side effect of dooming the existing trees, despite earlier hope otherwise. There’s some details in there about what will replace those to-be-removed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Upper Kirby update

Endorsement watch: Presidentials

Posted on February 17, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As I expected, the Chron endorses Barack Obama and John McCain in their respective primaries for President. The Star-Telegram echoes those choices. According to Poll Dancing, that’s a clean sweep for Obama (and McCain as well, as far as I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Endorsement watch: Noriega time

Posted on February 17, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Several newspapers have their Senate endorsements up today, and as expected they all recommend Rick Noriega. Here’s the Statesman: Democrats in the March 4 primary have four choices in nominating a candidate to run in this fall’s general election, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Lawsuit filed over city’s clean air ordinance

Posted on February 17, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. A coalition of Houston plant operators filed a lawsuit Friday against the city of Houston, alleging an air quality ordinance adopted by the city last summer violates state law. “We filed to get the court’s review because we believe … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Lawsuit filed over city’s clean air ordinance

The Beer Can House reopens

Posted on February 17, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Good news! You can purchase tickets here. I just think it’s eminently fitting that the event takes place on February 29. Enjoy! Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on The Beer Can House reopens

Consultant says Dome hotel ought to work

Posted on February 16, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I swear, there have been so many ups and downs and twists and turns in the Astrodome Redevelopment story that I find it hard to guess at what’s coming next. The latest development, which comes on the heels of some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

More on Rosenthal’s resignation

Posted on February 16, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s today’s Chron story on Chuck Rosenthal’s decision to finally walk away from the job as Harris County DA. Rosenthal’s decision marked a change of heart from his previous vows to finish out the remainder of his term even though … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Meet Antonio Villaraigosa

Posted on February 16, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The following is an announcement from the Houston Democratic Forum: The Houston Democratic Forum invites you to our Casual Discussion of Presidential Politics with a Very Special Guest ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA Mayor of Los Angeles and National Campaign Co-Chair for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Meet Antonio Villaraigosa

K-Mart lawsuits: Still proceeding

Posted on February 16, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Another request by the city of Houston to throw out ten remaining lawsuits stemming from the infamous 2002 K-Mart Kiddie Roundup has been denied by the judge. In a decision this week, [U.S. District Judge Nancy] Atlas wrote that the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | 1 Comment

At least one expert speaks about the grand jury lawsuit

Posted on February 16, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The lawsuit filed by grand jurors in the David Medina arson investigation is called “doubtful” by at least one expert interviewed by the Chronicle. “I can’t see any merit whatsoever to it,” University of Houston law professor David Crump said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 2 Comments

Can we all just get along?

Posted on February 16, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Given that nobody has liked any of the proposed Ashby highrise ordinances so far, and that we may not see any action taken by City Council for the next seven months or so anyway, perhaps we ought to start hoping … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Rosenthal resigns

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

After all this time, I figured he’d hang around till the bitter end. But apparently not, and what better time to announce one’s resignation than the Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend? Chuck Rosenthal resigned as Harris County district attorney … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 5 Comments

Endorsement watch: DMN endorses Noriega

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Dallas Morning News makes the clear choice in the Democratic primary for US Senate. Rick Noriega, a five-term state representative from Houston, wins our nod in the Democratic Senate primary. Mr. Noriega’s legislative experience, military background and academic training … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: DMN endorses Noriega

Kubosh packs it in

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Anti-red light camera crusader Michael Kubosh has dropped his lawsuit over the city’s camera program. Kubosh had sued the city about the red-light cameras and the administrative-hearing process for motorists who fight their tickets, which are considered civil fines. The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Candidate interview: State Rep. Dora Olivo

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. I am also doing written Q&As with judicial candidates. Another hot local contest is out in Fort Bend County’s HD27 between incumbent … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 3 Comments

More Speaker’s race maneuvers

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Recently, Texans for Public Justice filed a criminal complaint against Tom Craddick, alleging that his funneling of PAC money to several primary-challenged Democratic legislators was an illegal attempt to influence the Speaker’s race. Now a different coalition has filed a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on More Speaker’s race maneuvers

Now the world really is safe for sex toys

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

God bless Texas. A federal appeals court has overturned a Texas statute outlawing sex toy sales, leaving Alabama as the state with the strictest ban on such devices. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Texas law … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Now the world really is safe for sex toys

So did Pettite sink Clemens?

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I guess it depends on who you ask. Steve Campbell: Clemens and his defenders can attack McNamee’s credibility and motives all they want. But how can they explain away the damaging testimony of Pettitte? Clearly, Pettitte had no desire to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 4 Comments