Monthly Archives: March 2010

McNair to vote to change overtime

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good for him. Bob McNair will vote yes when NFL owners cast their ballots next week to change overtime for playoff games. McNair doesn’t like the sudden-death system that’s been in place since 1974. “I’m in favor of changing it,” … Continue reading →

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The university printing business

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. An experiment at Rice University to make scholarly research available to anyone with an Internet connection is trying to change the world of academic publishing. […] “The costs of publishing are reduced by digital dissemination, but they are hardly … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: When Irish eyes are smiling

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

To grossly understate the matter, I have a lot of Irish – more accurately, Celtic – music. That won’t stop me from trying to grab ten of them for a Saint Patrick’s Day-themed Friday Random Ten. 1. Danny Boy – … Continue reading →

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Metro approves study of Fort Bend commuter rail line

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In the last act for several Metro board members, we get a step forward on another commuter rail line. Moving to extend Metro’s reach into Fort Bend County, the agency’s board agreed Thursday to spend up to $500,000 on environmental … Continue reading →

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Homeowners insurance

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

An awful lot of attention gets paid to property taxes and the rate at which they rise due to higher appraisals. There are other variable costs to home ownership, however, and one of them is homeowners insurance. As a result … Continue reading →

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Fact check on Aisle 5, please

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, HISD Superintendent Terry Grier has proposed ending HISD’s relationship with Community Education Partners (CEP), which provides alternate schools for kids with discipline problems. Following that, the Chron editorialized in favor of Grier’s stance. Grier contends that CEP … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The gambling industry is ready for the next legislative session

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Bad budget times are fertile ground for those who want to see an expansion of gambling in Texas. “We are planning to lay out our case again to the Legislature,” said Duane Galligher, a spokesman for the Texas Gaming Association, … Continue reading →

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The Wizard of Pawz

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: Wizard of Pawz Houston Humane Society’s 29th Annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk HOUSTON, TX (March 10, 2010) – The 29th Annual Houston Humane Society K-9 Fun Run & Walk will take place Sunday, March 28 at Sam Houston Park, 100 … Continue reading →

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The transition team report on Metro

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to naming new Metro board members, today was the day for Mayor Parker’s transition team to give its report on Metro. Here’s the Chron story about their report. I’m going to focus on one piece of it: [James] … Continue reading →

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Blog Stars

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Press surveyed the local blog scene and picked out ten “Blog Stars” to highlight and profile. I’m pleased to say that they did me the honor of including me and my blog on that list. I always find … Continue reading →

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Parker names new Metro board

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Excellent. [Mayor Annise Parker’s] choices, which require City Council approval, include Gilbert Garcia, an investment banker and Parker transition team co-chair; Christof Spieler, a blogger and transportation analyst on the board of the Citizens’ Transportation Coalition; lawyers Dwight E. Jefferson … Continue reading →

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The redistricting battle is fought one State House seat at a time

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the State House version of the DCCC. With 2011 being a redistricting year, the DLCC takes a more prominent role in the November elections than it would in other years, and with the … Continue reading →

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

The Montrose Land Defense Coalition

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the name of the group that’s not so much fighting against the proposed HEB on the old Wilshire Village location as they are (in their own words) “concerned with the degree to which communities have a say in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

“The list of shame”

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here are three last reminders of that gang of idiots known as the State Board of Education before they return in May to finalize the vandalism they committed last week. First up, from the Texas Freedom Network: So what happened? … Continue reading →

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Once again with the Driver Responsibility Program

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib takes a look at Texas’ Driver Responsibility Program and the grassroots effort to repeal it. The stories scroll by one after another on an online petition to repeal a law called the Driver Responsibility Act. Nearly 4,000 angry … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Sibley in for SD22 special election

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

With the official resignation of State Sen. Kip Averitt, his predecessor in SD22, David Sibley, has announced that he will be a candidate for the May special election to fill the remainder of Averitt’s term. The winner of the expected … Continue reading →

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The school district squeeze

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Everywhere you look there’s bad budget news. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” said Fort Bend ISD Chief Financial Officer Tracy Hoke, who’s worked in school finance for two decades. “I could turn out every light, and we’d … Continue reading →

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Parker reaffirms commitment to light rail

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is what I want to see. [Mayor Annise] Parker’s letter regarding this week’s Metro board meeting was sent on the eve of her trip to Washington, where she said she would reassure U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that her … Continue reading →

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The tax question

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So Bill White gave a straightforward answer to a question about taxes, and everybody goes nuts. Well, Rick Perry and his minions went nuts, and everybody else followed. The former Houston mayor, asked by the Tribune’s Evan Smith whether he … Continue reading →

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Got Census?

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Have you gotten your Census form yet? Forms, asking for your household’s basic demographic data, should begin arriving in mailboxes across Houston this week. Completed questionnaires should be mailed back to the government by April 1. Sound easy? It is, … Continue reading →

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Metro asks consultant to investigate Wilson allegations

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see if there’s anything to the hype. A consultant with expertise in identifying business fraud will investigate allegations that Metro’s chief executive used public funds in an inappropriate relationship with his assistant, the agency announced today. David Wolff, the … Continue reading →

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The Hempstead line

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s another story about progress on a proposed commuter rail line, this one out US 290. A study to determine ridership on the line, which would go as far west as Hempstead, will be done. The Houston-based engineering firm Klotz … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Edwards asks for recount

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise. State Rep. Al Edwards has asked for a recount of the primary election votes in the race he lost to Borris Miles by 10 votes. Edwards filed the paperwork and submitted a $4,400 deposit this morning at the … Continue reading →

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Cathie Adams is a big ol’ liar

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know why anyone would ever believe anything that the former head of the Texas Eagle Forum and current Chair of the Republican Party of Texas says. But in the event that you needed a reason to doubt her … Continue reading →

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

No texting while driving in Conroe

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Conroe is set to join the parade of cities banning texting while driving. The ordinance is expected to be introduced at the March 25 meeting and could take effect in April. Those in violations of the proposed law would face … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of March 15

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance heads into March Madness with its own bracket of news and links for the week. Click on for more.

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Effective Grassroots Outreach

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I meant to post this over the weekend, but didn’t manage to get to it. From the Inbox: Please join a diverse panel that will discuss Effective Grassroots Advocacy from Multiple Perspectives Hon. Debra Danburg, Former Texas State Representative for … Continue reading →

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More on Metro’s finances

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron takes a closer look at Metro’s finances and the recently expressed doubts about their ability to pay for the University and Uptown lines. Mayor Annise Parker said last week that she wasn’t convinced the Metropolitan Transit Authority would … Continue reading →

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Making money on both ends

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m glad to hear that the food stamp backlog should be cleared up soon. I’m not so glad to hear that one of the guys who bears responsibility for getting us into that mess in the first place now stands … Continue reading →

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Rogers resolution

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The State Democratic Executive Committee of the Texas Democratic Party approved a resolution today that “releases party officers and members from their obligation to support LaRouche follower Kesha Rogers.” The resolution states that the movement includes “instances of illegal … Continue reading →

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

NFL to consider new overtime rules

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

But only for the playoffs, at least for now. Under the new format, both teams would get the ball at least once unless the first team to get the ball scores a touchdown, Greg Aiello said. If the first team … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for March 14

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Get your brackets ready, it’s almost Madness time. I join in the call for the FDA to overturn the lifetime ban on donating blood by gay men. I agree, what the world needs now is more Godzilla haikus. For example: … Continue reading →

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The SBOE has low self-esteem

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I think I finally figured out why they do stuff like this. The State Board of Education tentatively approved new standards for social studies Friday with members divided along party lines — some blasting them as a fraud and conservative … Continue reading →

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Food stamp application backlog to be cleared by April

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a little bit of good news. Texas’ food stamp application backlog is now expected to be cleared by the end of April, Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs told lawmakers today. […] The commission had projected it … Continue reading →

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