Monthly Archives: February 2010

Judicial Q&A: Steve Reilley

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Mary Galligan

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Texas takes a stand in favor of global warming

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

There was a time when stuff like this would have surprised me. But then, there was a time when being anti-science wasn’t a point of pride for the Republican Party. Texas on Tuesday became the first state to challenge the … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bellaire officially opposes Dynamo Westpark Stadium

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Bellaire City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday night that opposes the construction of a Dynamo Stadium on Westpark. “To ignore it and not speak up for our residents would be the wrong thing to do,” said Mayor Cindy Siegel, … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Going mobile

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is very cool. From the inbox: CAUCUS PAC INTRODUCES MOBILE ENDORSEMENT CARD Pro-equality voters in Houston are used to turning to the Houston GLBT Political Caucus PAC endorsement card for the candidates most qualified and most ready to address … Continue reading →

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IH-10/White Oak detention facilities public hearing

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Via email from the CTC: TxDOT is working toward adding frontage roads to IH-10 inside the loop and separating the depressed section of IH-10 from White Oak Bayou. TxDOT is required to provide new flood mitigation facilities to offset impacts … Continue reading →

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Abbott sues to protect the sanctity of divorce

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Now hear this: All you people out there who got yourselves gay married, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott wants to make sure you stay gay married. Attorney General Greg Abbott is trying to halt the divorce of two women in … Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Judicial Q&A: Juliet Stipeche

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Judicial Q&A: J. Anthony Referente

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Star-Telegram goes Kinky

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not sure if there’s something in the water up in the Metroplex, but the Star Telegram joins its sister paper to the east in endorsing Kinky Friedman for Ag Commish. Although Friedman has pockets full of one-liners at his … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stand up and be counted

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Please participate in the Census. Nothing good happens when you don’t. When the new, condensed census form arrives in the mail during the second week in March, each recipient’s decision about whether to toss it in the trash or fill … Continue reading →

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No texting while deliberating

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If you get called in for jury duty in Harris County, you can now get free WiFi in the Jury Assembly Room. But once you get into a courtroom, and especially if you get empaneled, you should expect to have … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Dem civil court races

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Chronicle gets in the judicial endorsement game with a series of recommendations in the Democratic primaries for civil courts. For the County Civil Courts at Law, the endorsees are: County Civil Court at Law 1: Steve Reilley County … Continue reading →

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Primary early voting, Day One

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not going to create a daily spreadsheet of the early voting totals by location this election, as life is just too short. I do have a spreadsheet showing the 2006 dailies by location, thanks to Hector DeLeon in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Endorsement watch: Statesman on the SBOE

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Statesman makes some recommendations in SBOE primaries in hopes of getting a better, or at least a slightly less dysfunctional, Board for the coming year. In the District 5 Republican primary, Tim Tuggey, 54, gets our endorsement. Tuggey, running … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Darrell Jordan

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Jim Wrotenbery

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Where I stand

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting begins in the primaries today. With that in mind, the following are Democratic candidates I will be voting for, or would be voting for if I lived in their district. I am only addressing contested races – you … Continue reading →

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BAE loses Army truck deal

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I didn’t comment on the story of the Army rejecting BAE Systems’ appeal to keep the contract to build combat trucks at its Sealy plant, but BOR said most of what I would have; you should also see this comment … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 15

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance wishes you all a happy Lunar New Year. Click on for the first Year of the Tiger blog roundup.

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Judicial Q&A: Shawn Thierry

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Early voting starts tomorrow

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The following is from the County Clerk‘s office: IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING BEGINS FOR MARCH 2 PRIMARY ELECTIONS: STRONG TURNOUT WILL NOT SURPRISE Houston, TX, – Early voting by personal appearance for the upcoming Democratic and Republican Primary Elections in Harris … Continue reading →

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Interview with Sean Roberts

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

For what will most likely be my final interview of the 2010 primary cycle, I bring you a conversation with Sean Roberts, who was the first candidate to mount a challenge to Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in CD18. Roberts is … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Donna Roth

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sales tax collections keep going down

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you hear is the budget writers gnashing their teeth. In more grim news for Texas’ budget, state Comptroller Susan Combs said Friday that monthly sales tax collections are down again, the eighth straight month of double-digit declines. Collections … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Supreme Court to hear strip club tax appeal

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Once more to the courthouse for supporters of the $5 strip club tax that was levied by the Lege to fund sexual abuse and violence treatment and prevention programs, as the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: A split for the Lite Guvs

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The two major Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor split a pair of endorsements yesterday. The Dallas Morning News went with Ronnie Earle. Given the choice facing Democrats in the March 2 primary, the better candidate is Earle, who served 31 … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for February 14

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Did you buy some overpriced chocolates this week? Sunday, May 23, will be the finale of “Lost”. Monday, May 24, will be a very unproductive day at workplaces across America. Also, the Internet may break. The onside kick is a … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Chron for White

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise here. Fresh from completing three successful terms as Houston’s mayor, Bill White is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. The Chronicle believes this accomplished attorney, businessman and public administrator is far and away the most qualified candidate to … Continue reading →

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Yet another poll

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

And the newspapers get into the polling game. The poll found Perry leading with 45 percent support among likely Republican voters, with Hutchison at 29 percent and Medina at 17 percent; 8 percent said they were undecided. The Feb. 2-10 … Continue reading →

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Chron overview of County Judge primary

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

There’s been a whole lot of attention paid to the Governor’s races recently, but there are plenty of other contests of interest. The Chron gives its take on the Democratic primary for Harris County Judge. Hassan, 57, of Katy, wants … Continue reading →

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Flooding survey

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: COUNCIL MEMBERS COSTELLO AND GONZALEZ ASKING FOR PUBLIC FLOODING AND DRAINAGE FEEDBACK THROUGH SURVEY Survey to guide Flooding and Drainage Committee in identifying flooding issues and concerns February 12, 2010 – Houston, TX. Houston residents are being … Continue reading →

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Expanding the NCAA Tournament may still happen

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Put me down as being in favor of this. The NCAA started talking about [expanding the men’s basketball tournament] in the fall, along with numerous topics in all 88 championships, and hasn’t gotten past the discussion stage yet. “It’s still … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Saturday video break: Happy Presidents Day!

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Monday is Presidents Day, which normally means no mail delivery and mattress sales. But it should mean a bit more than that, so here’s a little song to help you celebrate: Obviously, a newer version is needed now, but it’ll … Continue reading →

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