Daily Archives: February 17, 2011

Census data is out

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Start firing up the mapmaking units. U.S. Census data released today shows the Hispanic population in Texas increased by 42 percent since 2000, and the group now makes up 38 percent of the population. Texas’ population is now 25,145,561. That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A little Texas in Wisconsin

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Way to go! The weather in Wisconsin is cold this time of year — but the budget fight is only getting hotter. Following a walkout by the state Senate Democrats, depriving Republicans of the three-fifths majority needed to pass the … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

More on Combs v. Perry over Amazon

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib has a good story that explains the background of the Perry-Combs smackdown over Amazon. There’s another player in this fight, and they’re on the Comptroller’s side: Retailers who charge sales taxes employ thousands of Texans, and some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Rural school districts prepare for the worst

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I have very mixed emotions reading a story like this. For the residents of [the] tiny West Texas farming community [of Miles], the school district is central to their identity, history and way of life. “There’s a wonderful feel about … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Higher tuition coming

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Well, what did you expect? The 63,000 students of the University of Houston System could be paying higher tuition as early as the fall semester, Chancellor Renu Khator told a Senate committee Monday. Testifying before the Senate Finance Committee, Khator … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why aren’t we tracking this?

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This sounds like a job for the Legislature. The number of parolees being tracked with ankle monitors in Texas has mushroomed to nearly 3,000 in the last two years. About 600 reside in Harris County. The county also has 150 … Continue reading →

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Sonogram bill coming up for a vote

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Sen. Dan Patrick’s “I know what’s best for you ladies” sonogram bill SB16 is on the schedule for today. I had previously expressed pessimism that there was anything to be done to prevent its passage based on the expected support … Continue reading →

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