Monthly Archives: February 2009

They paid their taxes, too

I really don’t understand the objection to using stimulus funds to expand unemployment insurance to help the larger number of people who are now out of work, and especially those who have the extra misfortune of not being eligible because … Continue reading

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They paid their taxes, too

I really don’t understand the objection to using stimulus funds to expand unemployment insurance to help the larger number of people who are now out of work, and especially those who have the extra misfortune of not being eligible because … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Downtown post office for sale

We know that the Postal Service is looking to sell some of its properties around town. Now they have announced that the downtown location on Franklin Street is one of them. Real estate experts and downtown boosters envision the property … Continue reading

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Downtown post office for sale

We know that the Postal Service is looking to sell some of its properties around town. Now they have announced that the downtown location on Franklin Street is one of them. Real estate experts and downtown boosters envision the property … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

In the long run, we’re all dead

There’s long-term planning, and then there’s long-term planning. Big Bend National Park is known for its jagged beauty, but sometimes the mountains are blotted from the horizon by a sky the color of mud. The air is so dirty on … Continue reading

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In the long run, we’re all dead

There’s long-term planning, and then there’s long-term planning. Big Bend National Park is known for its jagged beauty, but sometimes the mountains are blotted from the horizon by a sky the color of mud. The air is so dirty on … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on In the long run, we’re all dead

Friday random ten: The eighties strike back

I’ve said that 70s music goes with everything, and I think that’s true. But I also think it’s true of 80s music, and really, if you have enough of each of these, what more do you need? To demonstrate that, … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Music | 2 Comments

Friday random ten: The eighties strike back

I’ve said that 70s music goes with everything, and I think that’s true. But I also think it’s true of 80s music, and really, if you have enough of each of these, what more do you need? To demonstrate that, … Continue reading

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Help celebrate 27 for 27

The following is a message from the TexBlog PAC and my much younger colleague, Matt Glazer.

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Help celebrate 27 for 27

The following is a message from the TexBlog PAC and my much younger colleague, Matt Glazer. Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | Comments Off on Help celebrate 27 for 27

One more PPP poll

PPP does the Governor’s race, general election-style. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rick Perry would both best Democrat Tom Schieffer in a potential gubernatorial face off next year, although the race has some potential to be competitive if the current Governor … Continue reading

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One more PPP poll

PPP does the Governor’s race, general election-style. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rick Perry would both best Democrat Tom Schieffer in a potential gubernatorial face off next year, although the race has some potential to be competitive if the current Governor … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | 2 Comments

Another City Council lineup update

Time for our periodic check on who’s running for what this fall. The Memorial Examiner gets us started. Five confirmed candidates are vying to replace Lawrence in District A. Jeff Downing, Amy Peck, Bob Schellkopf, Brenda Stardig and Alex Wathen … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2009 | 2 Comments

Another City Council lineup update

Time for our periodic check on who’s running for what this fall. The Memorial Examiner gets us started. Five confirmed candidates are vying to replace Lawrence in District A. Jeff Downing, Amy Peck, Bob Schellkopf, Brenda Stardig and Alex Wathen … Continue reading

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Search openly

Is there really a debate about whether or not we should conduct a search for a new HISD Superintendent in an open manner? Because I think the choice is clear. The Greater Houston Partnership, which represents the business community, is … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Search openly

Search openly

Is there really a debate about whether or not we should conduct a search for a new HISD Superintendent in an open manner? Because I think the choice is clear. The Greater Houston Partnership, which represents the business community, is … Continue reading

Posted in Local politics, School days | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Grand Parkway Segment E gets a go-ahead

As expected. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved an agreement to build and maintain a segment of the Grand Parkway connecting the Katy Freeway and U.S. 290, but questions over what would happen if the county ultimately decided the … Continue reading

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Grand Parkway Segment E gets a go-ahead

As expected. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved an agreement to build and maintain a segment of the Grand Parkway connecting the Katy Freeway and U.S. 290, but questions over what would happen if the county ultimately decided the … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Grand Parkway Segment E gets a go-ahead

Will we or won’t we fix unemployment insurance?

There’s a lot of money riding on the answer to that question. The lure of $555 million in federal stimulus money for additional unemployment insurance has Texas legislators mulling whether to expand unemployment benefits to more workers. To get that … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Will we or won’t we fix unemployment insurance?

There’s a lot of money riding on the answer to that question. The lure of $555 million in federal stimulus money for additional unemployment insurance has Texas legislators mulling whether to expand unemployment benefits to more workers. To get that … Continue reading

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Will we or won’t we fix unemployment insurance?

Voter ID debate set for the Senate

I did an interview with State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte this evening, and in the course of our conversation, which I’ll be publishing on Monday, she said that there was a hearing set for voter ID legislation – presumably … Continue reading

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Voter ID debate set for the Senate

I did an interview with State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte this evening, and in the course of our conversation, which I’ll be publishing on Monday, she said that there was a hearing set for voter ID legislation – presumably … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

PPP on the Texas Senate race

Public Policy Polling follows up its snapshot of the Republican GOP matchup for Governor with a poll of Senate possibilities. We tested Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and state Senator Florence Shapiro on the Republican side against … Continue reading

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PPP on the Texas Senate race

Public Policy Polling follows up its snapshot of the Republican GOP matchup for Governor with a poll of Senate possibilities. We tested Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and state Senator Florence Shapiro on the Republican side against … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2010 | 2 Comments

The sad state of sex education in Texas

We do a really lousy job of it. In sex education classes, 94 percent of Texas school districts teach that abstaining from sex is the only healthy option for unmarried couples, and, in many cases, students are given misleading and … Continue reading

Posted in Society and cultcha, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The sad state of sex education in Texas

We do a really lousy job of it. In sex education classes, 94 percent of Texas school districts teach that abstaining from sex is the only healthy option for unmarried couples, and, in many cases, students are given misleading and … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Society and cultcha, That's our Lege | 3 Comments

Catch the WAve

The following is a message from Super Neighborhood 22: Catch the WAve Day, all day Saturday March 7 Hosted by: SN22, Mayor White’s Office of Special Events, and MECA Purpose: To showcase area businesses, schools & non-profits, plus an eco-fair … Continue reading

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Catch the WAve

The following is a message from Super Neighborhood 22: Catch the WAve Day, all day Saturday March 7 Hosted by: SN22, Mayor White’s Office of Special Events, and MECA Purpose: To showcase area businesses, schools & non-profits, plus an eco-fair … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

The Riddler goes on a rampage

The Observer looks at a trio of bills by Rep. Debbie Riddle in which she tries to solve the immigration issue all by herself. Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, is launching a three-pronged attack on non-citizens this session. Prong 1: Hook … Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment, That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Riddler goes on a rampage

The Riddler goes on a rampage

The Observer looks at a trio of bills by Rep. Debbie Riddle in which she tries to solve the immigration issue all by herself. Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, is launching a three-pronged attack on non-citizens this session. Prong 1: Hook … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Bradford announces for At Large #4, Pennington announces in G

We know he had been contemplating the possibility, but now former HPD Chief C.O. Bradford has made it official: He’s going to run for the open At Large #4 City Council seat. From his email: Chief Bradford has been a … Continue reading

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Bradford announces for At Large #4, Pennington announces in G

We know he had been contemplating the possibility, but now former HPD Chief C.O. Bradford has made it official: He’s going to run for the open At Large #4 City Council seat. From his email: Chief Bradford has been a … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Expanded gambling: It isn’t just for race tracks any more

Here’s an update to the story about the big expanded gambling bill that was filed yesterday. Slot machines also would be allowed at the state’s existing race tracks under the proposal by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas; … Continue reading

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Expanded gambling: It isn’t just for race tracks any more

Here’s an update to the story about the big expanded gambling bill that was filed yesterday. Slot machines also would be allowed at the state’s existing race tracks under the proposal by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas; … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Expanded gambling: It isn’t just for race tracks any more