Monthly Archives: March 2011

Rally Day

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Thanks in part to our only Governor, those attending today’s rally are even more fired up about it. As thousands of teachers, school staffers and parents prepare for a state Capitol rally Saturday against education cuts, they’ve found new recruits … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HISD starts cutting

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

HISD’s board of trustees began the budget cutting process on Thursday in anticipation of cuts to public education funding in the Legislature. Barring some really good news from the Lege, there will be much more of this to come. The … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on HISD starts cutting

The EaDo decade

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Things are looking good for a wave of development in East Downtown, a/k/a EaDo. Discussions are under way for a six-block-long linear park in EaDo, and there is talk, still in the early stages, of a 1,000-room convention hotel. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The EaDo decade

Two Republican Senators oppose Bradley’s nomination to the Forensic Science Commission

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Excellent. The confirmation of Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley as chairman of the state Forensic Science Commission appears to be in deep trouble, as two Senate Republicans confirmed today that they will vote no. That would leave Bradley four … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Friday random ten: The top 500, part 16

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

And so we come to the end of the Rolling Stone Top 500 list. 1. It’s Too Late – Carole King (#469) 2. Where Did Our Love Go? – The Supremes (#472) 3. One Nation Under A Groove – Funkadelic … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Friday random ten: The top 500, part 16

Population growth in the Houston suburbs

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Newswatch blog had a post the other day showing population changes in different ethnic groups for a number of Houston suburbs between 2000 and 2010. It was done as a chart, and while it was a very nice … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Population growth in the Houston suburbs

Perry lies about teachers being fired

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

There’s really no other way to characterize this. At a press conference this morning to discuss states’ rights, Gov. Rick Perry was asked about the thousands of Texas teachers expected at the Capitol this weekend to protest legislative proposals to … Continue reading →

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

Going through the couch cushions

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

“Taxes” may be a dirty word, but the Lege is busy looking for revenue in other places. “Right now, there is a tremendous amount of effort being invested in identifying new revenues that avoid being called a tax bill,” said … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

You using that building?

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

There’s this building that Harris County owns that is supposed to revert to the city if the county isn’t using it. Which it isn’t, so the city would like to know what the county’s intentions are, as they have plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Judge Priest recuses himself in DeLay associates’ trial

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Didn’t see this coming. Two associates of former U.S House Majority leader Tom DeLay will get a new judge. State District Judge Pat Priest of San Antonio, who oversaw the month-long trial of DeLay last fall, surprisingly recused himself this … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hochberg’s “Let’s get real” bill

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Scott Hochberg has filed a school finance bill that he himself wouldn’t vote for. It’s to make sure everyone realizes what the proposed cuts to public education really mean. Under HB 2485, all school districts would be treated as … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Harris County passes its budget

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s about what you’d expect. Facing an 11.3 percent drop in revenue, Harris County Commissioners Court passed a budget today that could mean dozens of law enforcement jobs cut or left vacant, hundreds fewer patients receiving mental health counseling and … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

1200 teachers at risk in HISD

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

That’s a lot of jobs. The Houston school board is scheduled to vote Thursday on Superintendent Terry Grier’s plan to reduce the amount of money the district doles out to each school, paving the way for layoffs in light of … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 1200 teachers at risk in HISD

Getting ready for the Save Texas Schools rally

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This needs to be big. Teachers, parents and school district employees will head by the thousands to the state Capitol over Spring Break for two rallies, hoping to show lawmakers what’s at stake with budget cuts to education. They’re ready … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Getting ready for the Save Texas Schools rally

Texas blog roundup for the week of March 7

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is ready for this Saturday’s rally to save Texas schools in Austin as it brings you the weekly roundup.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of March 7

It’s official – Council will expand

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Very good news. Council voted today to declare that the city’s population is 2.1 million. The number was a trigger point that mandates the city add a 15th and 16th council seat by the city charter. […] After much debate … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on It’s official – Council will expand

Push for HB275

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

HB275 is the bill by Rep. Jim Pitts to spend money from the Rainy Day Fund to close the budget shortfall from the 2010-11 biennium. Here’s an update about it from a group called Spring Branch Speaks, sent to me … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Push for HB275

Infill growth

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Anyone who’s been watching Washington Avenue has seen this. From downtown through midtown and along Washington Avenue, a population growth spurt has taken off since 2000. One buzz word to describe what’s going on is “infill,” said Jerry Wood, previously … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Teachers and the economy

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Some familiar themes in this story. Gov. Rick Perry can’t quit talking about jobs. He used the word 19 times in his recent state of the state address and has made it a top spending priority. But if Perry realizes … Continue reading →

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

Horse racing folks feeling good about gambling’s chances this time

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

They always say that, but maybe this time they’re right. The chief executive officer at Retama Park expressed cautious optimism Thursday that the state could one day allow slot machines at horse racetracks, a move that has long been deemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Horse racing folks feeling good about gambling’s chances this time

Two smoking stories

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Myra Crownover will make her biennial attempt to pass a statewide smoking ban in Texas, which if it passes would make it harder to smoke. Although she believes in limited government, Crownover said 53,000 people die each year in … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Two smoking stories

More Council redistricting drama

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Greg liveblogs today’s special City Council meeting on the Census population report and Council redistricting. Read it for a blow-by-blow account of where individual Council members are standing, or which way they’re leaning, on the question. This could be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on More Council redistricting drama

So will we have a Mayor’s race or not?

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We’re now more than a month into the city election fundraising season, and as of this week the only person to file a declaration of Treasurer for the office of Mayor is the incumbent, Annise Parker. As of this time … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Bradley’s nomination to Forensic Science Commission may be dead

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Peggy Fikac brings the good news. It’s not looking good for John Bradley, the tough-talking prosecutor named by Republican Gov. Rick Perry to head the Forensic Science Commission – and not just because of Democratic opposition to his appointment. “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The missing people of San Marcos

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Houston isn’t the only city that got unexpectedly bad news from the Census. Just how many people live in San Marcos? Lately, that depends on whom you ask. For the past three years, city officials have estimated the population to … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The missing people of San Marcos

Does this make an inner Loop location more likely?

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

One of the two Alamo Drafthouse theaters way out west will be closing down soon. The arrival of an Edwards multiplex at West Oaks Mall will mean the closure of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at the regional shopping center, leaving … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Does this make an inner Loop location more likely?

House passes sonogram bill

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Passing the bill was a formality at this point, but getting one chamber’s bill through the other may be problematic. The House’s measure will now be sent to a Senate committee. The Senate’s version that was sent to the House … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Jury selection begins in Eversole trial

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Get your popcorn popper fired up. Jury selection begins this morning in the trial of Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole, who stands accused of accepting bribes from a friend and developer to whom he allegedly steered county contracts and appointments. … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Population growth by legislative district

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Some nice work by the Trib here. Our new interactive map visualizes population changes by district for the total population and residents who are of Hispanic origin. These totals are especially important now given that lawmakers are preparing to redraw these … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is it finally time to do something with the Dome?

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A few days ago, a woman named Cynthia Neely took to CultureMap to demand that we Do Something about the Astrodome. Regardless of whether you love or hate the Astrodome, the building is owned by the county and in effect … Continue reading →

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

More on magnet schools

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Some further information about the proposed changes to HISD’s magnet school program made by Superintendent Terry Grier at Thursday’s public meeting. Funding would drop at 69 schools and increase at 53 under Grier’s preliminary plan. In all, the district would … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We’re still not bonding out enough people

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure this will make a lot of people uncomfortable. More than 15,000 people were collared in Harris County for misdemeanors in the final months of 2010, but 70 percent of white inmates were released on bond before trial, compared … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for March 6

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Happy birthday to my buddy Matt! People who have health insurance that isn’t tied to a particular job are more likely to be entrepreneurs. The biggest problem with our political system is that too many people just don’t care about … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for March 6

HISD’s budget and magnet meeting

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A whole lot happened on Thursday evening with HISD. Houston ISD Superintendent Terry Grier proposed a major shake-up Thursday night to the district’s popular magnet program, calling for 25 schools to lose the special status and for funding increases or … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments