Monthly Archives: November 2009

Kronberg on KBH

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Harvey Kronberg’s column this week looks at the long history of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison running, or not running, for Governor, and how she came to be in this particular will she or won’t she resign pickle. Nothing much new … Continue reading →

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More LWOP, fewer death sentences

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The number of death sentences handed out by Texas juries has declined sharply in recent years, with the new life without parole (LWOP) sentence being one reason why. While the debate over capital punishment rages anew in Texas, new inmates … Continue reading →

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Our healthcare system is great, if you ignore all those people who can’t afford it

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. John Zerwas demonstrates that being a physician doesn’t make you qualified to talk about health care reform. His article is as embarrassingly idea-free as his national colleagues’ plan was. After the usual paean to tort “reform” and invective … Continue reading →

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And a poll from Parker

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve seen Gene Locke’s poll, which showed him trailing Annise Parker by four points, 43-39. Now here’s a poll from Parker that puts her up by 13. The polling memo: A recent Lake Research Partners survey of likely voters in … Continue reading →

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Parker hits Locke over potential conflicts of interest

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Annise Parker put out a strongly worded press release today that calls out Gene Locke for his work with the Andrews Kurth law firm, which has done a ton of business with the city, some of which was done by … Continue reading →

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Beware the teabags of March

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, the downside of inciting a torch-and-pitchfork mob is that you can’t always control where they’ll maraud. Who knew? Across Texas, at least five Tea Party activists have announced their candidacies for U.S. House and Senate seats. “If you are … Continue reading →

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Lykos asks Senate for regional crime lab funds

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County DA Pat Lykos went before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week to ask for money that would be used to help get a regional crime lab up and running. Lykos testified Tuesday in support of the Innocence Protection … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 16

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is starting to feel an odd craving for can-shaped servings of cranberry sauce as it brings you this week’s highlights from the blogs.

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Endorsement watch: Toyota endorses Eastman in HISD I

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In the aftermath of the election, I had wondered whether candidates who didn’t make the runoff would be endorsing one of those who did. We all know about the Mayor’s race and the Controller’s race by now, but I was … Continue reading →

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The Dynamo Stadium issue in the Mayor’s race

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Moving away for the moment from ridiculous homophobic scare tactics in the Mayor’s race runoff to an issue of actual substance, we have the matter of the Dynamo Stadium deal and where the respective candidates stand on it. [Annise] Parker … Continue reading →

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McCall not running for re-election

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Brian McCall (R, Plano), one of the Republicans that helped oust Tom Craddick as Speaker, will not run for re-election next year. McCall, 51, said he is looking at other opportunities because it is time to try something … Continue reading →

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Kay may stay, but the jockeying never goes away

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Jason Embry ponders the landscape now that we know we’ll still have KBH to kick around through at least March. [I]f Gov. Rick Perry appoints [Lt. Gov. David] Dewhurst to replace Hutchison, or if he wins a special election before … Continue reading →

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Still more on the Heights recycling center

Posted on November 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall that the city had proposed selling the neighborhood recycling center on Center Street to the Admiral Linen business next door, and that this move was opposed by residents in the area. The city is still considering this … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for November 15

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe “citizen journalism” isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. I expect to be a Title IX dad, too. Probably starting next year. Sometimes it’s okay for art to not be able to imitate life. Bar brawls and beauty queens: … Continue reading →

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The Chron on Hotze, Welch, and Locke

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron editorializes today about the forthcoming hatemongering in the city election to be aimed at Annise Parker, and Gene Locke’s tepid response to being its intended beneficiary. And they fall just short of getting it right. We’ve been here … Continue reading →

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A poll from Locke

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via email from Bill King, who gave me permission to reprint it, comes word of a post-election poll done by Team Locke. I had it queued up for yesterday, but in light of yesterday’s news, I put it off for … Continue reading →

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Uncle Dan wins re-election

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

For some more pleasant election-related news, I’m happy to note that my uncle Dan Kuffner was re-elected to the Dutchess County (New York) Legislature. In District 7, Legislator Dan Kuffner, D-Hyde Park, beat Republican Yancy McArthur. […] On Nov. 3, … Continue reading →

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Easing eligibility requirements on food stamps

Posted on November 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I suppose you could consider this to be a small benefit of the food stamps snafu. Texas is easing a requirement that most families on food stamps must be interviewed every six months, a step that will relieve pressure on … Continue reading →

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Locke’s response

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So while I was out watching Rice beat Tulane, the Gene Locke campaign released the following statement regarding the homophobic attack on Annise Parker. “As I have previously stated, I reject any association with the style of campaigning that was … Continue reading →

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And here comes the nastiness

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I really thought that we’d make it through this election without there being any nasty anti-gay stuff. I guess I was naive to think so, because here it comes. A cluster of socially conservative Houstonians is planning a campaign to … Continue reading →

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Let’s make this a bad year for Don McLeroy

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Don McLeroy is a wee bit concerned about losing one of his allies on the SBOE. State Board of Education former Chair (and current member) Don McLeroy wasn’t too concerned about losing Democratic swing-vote Rick Agosto. At least not at … Continue reading →

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A view from inside the sausage factory

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Ever wonder what it is that lobbyists do? Jim Grace and Luke Ledbetter, respectively a partner and an associate with Baker Botts LLP who do lobbying work for the firm, give us the scoop about how they go about their … Continue reading →

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KBH: Not resigning till after the primary

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you hear is me saying I told you so. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is planning to hold onto her Senate seat until after Texas’ March gubernatorial primaries are over. […] Campaign officials provided The Associated Press a … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Johnny, Johnny, Johnny

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, there are a lot of songs – mostly, but not exclusively, folk songs – about someone named John. 1. John Barleycorn – SixMileBridge 2. John Doe #24 – Mary-Chapin Carpenter 3. John Henry – Bruce Springsteen 4. John Ryan’s … Continue reading →

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Sue Schechter announces for County Clerk

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Former State Rep. and Harris County Democratic Party Chair Sue Schechter has announced her intent to run for the to-be-open Harris County Clerk position next year. Schechter was known to be interested in this position, and now she’s made it … Continue reading →

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The HCRP view of the candidates

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here, in PDF format, you will find a copy of the mailer that Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodfill sent out to his flock before the election. In it you will find three things of interest. One is all the … Continue reading →

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Raising the gas tax

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is long overdue. Members of the Texas Senate’s Transportation Committee said Tuesday that an increase in the 20-cents-per-gallon state fuel tax may be necessary to overcome a drastic shortage of money for new roads. “We are in the critical … Continue reading →

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Commissioners Court wants a lapdog, not a watchdog

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Back in June, we learned that County Attorney Vince Ryan was going after polluters that had been ignoring court orders to clean up their acts. You would think this would be a good thing to do – you know, enforcing … Continue reading →

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West U bans texting while driving

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The West University Place City Council voted on Monday night to ban texting while driving. Drivers who text behind the wheel in within the city’s limits have one week to stop before the council votes unanimously again to ban the … Continue reading →

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Farmers Branch single member Council district lawsuit appealed to SCOTUS

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

A lawsuit on behalf of three Hispanic plaintiffs in Farmers Branch to force the creation of single-member City Council districts, which was filed last April and dismissed in November, will be appealed to the Supreme Court after the Fifth Circuit … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: More maps

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m pretty much wrung out on precinct analysis for this election, but not everybody is. Go check out Greg’s place for Mayoral Maps By Order of Finish and A Path To Victory: A Tale of Three Neighborhoods. Each of those … Continue reading →

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Here comes the unemployment tax increase

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here comes that unemployment insurance tax hike we’ve all been waiting for. Under state law, the state’s unemployment trust fund is supposed to stand at 1 percent of taxable wages, or about $860 million. The fund has been depleted in … Continue reading →

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It’s hard out here on a pedestrian

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure it will come as no surprise to learn that Houston is not a good city for pedestrians, at least from a safety perspective. Houston ranked eighth on a new list of the most dangerous urban areas for pedestrians. … Continue reading →

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Trying to reinstate a lawsuit against Sharon Keller

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Last year, a wrongful death lawsuit against Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller that was filed by the daughter of death row inmate Michael Richard, the man who was executed in the “we close at 5” case, was … Continue reading →

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