Monthly Archives: April 2009

The Freeland Historic district

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I drive down White Oak every day to take the girls to preschool, so I’ve been going past a bunch of houses that have signs with “save our bungalow” messages on them, but I wasn’t sure what all the fuss … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of April 20

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The members of the Texas Progressive Alliance solemnly swear we will never secede. Click on for this week’s roundup.

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Texas blog roundup for the week of April 20

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The members of the Texas Progressive Alliance solemnly swear we will never secede. Click on for this week’s roundup. Continue reading →

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Senate passes SB1569, but may not be able to override a veto

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Senate passed SB1569, the bill that accepts stimulus funding for unemployment insurance, by a 19-11 vote today. As Elise noted on Twitter, two Senators flipped to No for final passage; one other Senator was either absent or did not … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Senate passes SB1569, but may not be able to override a veto

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Senate passed SB1569, the bill that accepts stimulus funding for unemployment insurance, by a 19-11 vote today. As Elise noted on Twitter, two Senators flipped to No for final passage; one other Senator was either absent or did not … Continue reading →

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Here comes the SUPERTRAIN

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. President Barack Obama on Thursday highlighted his ambition for the development of high-speed passenger rail lines in at least 10 regions, expressing confidence in the future of train travel even as he acknowledged that the American rail network, compared … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 6 Comments

Here comes the SUPERTRAIN

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. President Barack Obama on Thursday highlighted his ambition for the development of high-speed passenger rail lines in at least 10 regions, expressing confidence in the future of train travel even as he acknowledged that the American rail network, compared … Continue reading →

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Gay rights support in Houston

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. [A]ccording to the latest Houston Area Survey, fewer than half of Harris County residents believe homosexuality is morally wrong, 61 percent believe it’s an innate characteristic rather than a lifestyle choice, and 43 percent believe gay marriages should … Continue reading →

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Gay rights support in Houston

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. [A]ccording to the latest Houston Area Survey, fewer than half of Harris County residents believe homosexuality is morally wrong, 61 percent believe it’s an innate characteristic rather than a lifestyle choice, and 43 percent believe gay marriages should … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Hey, at least it’s not an L

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The best bit in this story about Gene Locke‘s campaign kickoff rally at Minute Maid Park yesterday is at the end, and doesn’t really have anything to do with Locke’s party. Locke’s multi-ethnic audience and endorsers were a refutation of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Hey, at least it’s not an L

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The best bit in this story about Gene Locke‘s campaign kickoff rally at Minute Maid Park yesterday is at the end, and doesn’t really have anything to do with Locke’s party. Locke’s multi-ethnic audience and endorsers were a refutation of … Continue reading →

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Statewide smoking ban update

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Earlier in this session, I thought the odds of a statewide smoking ban getting passed were pretty good. As of this point, however, it appears to be a dicier proposition. The chairman of the House committee considering a proposed statewide … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Statewide smoking ban update

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Earlier in this session, I thought the odds of a statewide smoking ban getting passed were pretty good. As of this point, however, it appears to be a dicier proposition. The chairman of the House committee considering a proposed statewide … Continue reading →

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Impeach Jay Bybee

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The only thing more revolting than the just-declassified torture memos is the realization that one of their authors is now a federal judge with lifetime tenure. I have to believe that if we knew then what we know now, this … Continue reading →

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Impeach Jay Bybee

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The only thing more revolting than the just-declassified torture memos is the realization that one of their authors is now a federal judge with lifetime tenure. I have to believe that if we knew then what we know now, this … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for April 19

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some May flowers… This year’s Easter art brouhaha. It’s always something. Three interesting explanations for #Amazonfail. And the official explanation, for what it’s worth. Finally, an interesting postscript from someone who … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for April 19

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some May flowers… This year’s Easter art brouhaha. It’s always something. Three interesting explanations for #Amazonfail. And the official explanation, for what it’s worth. Finally, an interesting postscript from someone who … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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But I’m not

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I just want it to be known that I solved the puzzle in today’s Foxtrot in about five minutes. I had to dust off some pretty long-dormant brain cells to do the integral, but I got it. The first comment … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 3 Comments

But I’m not

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I just want it to be known that I solved the puzzle in today’s Foxtrot in about five minutes. I had to dust off some pretty long-dormant brain cells to do the integral, but I got it. The first comment … Continue reading →

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Hey, remember when we were gonna reform county ethics?

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

How’s that been going? Efforts to clean up Harris County government appear to be on indefinite hold as any serious debate about ethics reform has been derailed for months by infighting and political gamesmanship. Commissioners Court has yet to act … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

Hey, remember when we were gonna reform county ethics?

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

How’s that been going? Efforts to clean up Harris County government appear to be on indefinite hold as any serious debate about ethics reform has been derailed for months by infighting and political gamesmanship. Commissioners Court has yet to act … Continue reading →

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The new Hermann Park train

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

All aboard! Hermann Park Conservancy on Saturday will formally unveil $14 million in park improvements, including a new miniature train station, dramatically landscaped grounds and a lakeside plaza featuring a restaurant, gift shop and rest­rooms. Among other project highlights for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The new Hermann Park train

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

All aboard! Hermann Park Conservancy on Saturday will formally unveil $14 million in park improvements, including a new miniature train station, dramatically landscaped grounds and a lakeside plaza featuring a restaurant, gift shop and rest­rooms. Among other project highlights for … Continue reading →

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Voter ID must be reviewed

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is generally good news, but maybe not quite as good as it sounds. Texas’ proposed Voter ID law would be subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Justice or federal court for it to become law, federal officials … Continue reading →

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Voter ID must be reviewed

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is generally good news, but maybe not quite as good as it sounds. Texas’ proposed Voter ID law would be subject to approval by the U.S. Department of Justice or federal court for it to become law, federal officials … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Voter ID must be reviewed

BAR for AG

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Barbara Radnofsky has been talking about a run for Attorney General in Texas in 2010 for some time now; I had a conversation about it with her back in 2007. Today she officially announced her intent, making her the third … Continue reading →

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BAR for AG

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Barbara Radnofsky has been talking about a run for Attorney General in Texas in 2010 for some time now; I had a conversation about it with her back in 2007. Today she officially announced her intent, making her the third … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | 4 Comments

How about a little salvage?

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I can accept that the Wilshire Village Apartments are going to be torn down. If they weren’t going to be maintained by their owner, these things do happen. What I think is an unforgivable sin is for all of the … Continue reading →

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How about a little salvage?

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I can accept that the Wilshire Village Apartments are going to be torn down. If they weren’t going to be maintained by their owner, these things do happen. What I think is an unforgivable sin is for all of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

House passes budget, slaps Perry

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Chris Turner, on Twitter: At 3:56 am, the House unanimously passed the budget. Believe it or not, that was earlier than was originally anticipated. The pregame chatter was that the House would have to reconvene today to finish … Continue reading →

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House passes budget, slaps Perry

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Chris Turner, on Twitter: At 3:56 am, the House unanimously passed the budget. Believe it or not, that was earlier than was originally anticipated. The pregame chatter was that the House would have to reconvene today to finish … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

White wins one from EPA

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Score one for the Mayor. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to Mayor Bill White’s request to overhaul its methods for estimating emissions from large refineries and chemical plants, a move that could reveal higher pollution levels. In response … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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White wins one from EPA

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Score one for the Mayor. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to Mayor Bill White’s request to overhaul its methods for estimating emissions from large refineries and chemical plants, a move that could reveal higher pollution levels. In response … Continue reading →

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Seventeen casinos?

Posted on April 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. The chairman of the House committee that oversees gambling said Friday he has strong support for legislation that would open the door for 17 casinos, slot machines at racetracks, and Indian gaming in Texas. Rep. Edmund Kuempel, R-Seguin, said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment