Monthly Archives: July 2011

Perry appoints Forensic, SBOE Chairs

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The new SBOE Chair is not who I expected. State Board of Education member Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands, will take the helm as the board’s new chairwoman, Gov. Rick Perry announced Friday. She will follow Gail Lowe, who was appointed … Continue reading →

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One more thing the Lege failed to do

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Anyone keeping a list? Texas lawmakers adjourned without fixing the state’s prepaid college tuition program, which now faces a $600 million shortfall and could go broke as early as 2014 by some estimates. If that happens, state taxpayers may have … Continue reading →

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RIP, Arabia Shrine Center

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot noted that a demolition permit had been pulled for the Arabia Shrine Center on Braeswood near Kirby. Nancy Sarnoff tells us what is to come once the buildings have been razed. Three years after an apartment developer bought the … Continue reading →

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Doggy DNA detectives

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I love so many things about this story. Here’s the scoop: Some apartment complexes are using DNA testing on dog doo to find out who’s not cleaning up after their pets. The Timberwood Commons in Lebanon, N.H., opened this year … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: We the people

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a little Schoolhouse Rock to get you in the Fourth of July mood: If you’re a true child of the 1970’s, you are incapable of merely saying the Preamble. It simply must be sung. Hope you’re having an excellent … Continue reading →

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Preliminary injunction motion filed against sonogram law

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see how it fares. Pro-choice activists filed a motion Thursday to halt the state’s new law requiring women seeking abortion to view a sonogram of the fetus. The NY-based Center for Reproductive Rights filed the preliminary injunction request in … Continue reading →

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Perry gets to keep his secrets

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Quelle surprise. The Texas Supreme Court this morning ruled that details of Gov. Rick Perry’s travels can remain secret, overturning two lower court rulings that found travel vouchers filed by state troopers should be made public. In an opinion written … Continue reading →

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Metro gets more light rail funds

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the US Department of Transit: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $1.58 billion for 27 transit projects nationwide that will improve public transportation access for millions of Americans while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and curbing air … Continue reading →

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Composting

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The city of Austin is looking for more ways to reduce the amount of solid waste that it puts in landfills. Aiming to cut down the waste that Austinites send to landfills, the City of Austin is sponsoring free composting … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Sweet land of liberty

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Gonna take a break from the Songs of the Century for ten appropriate tunes for the holiday weekend. 1. America – Simon and Garfunkel 2. America The Beautiful – Ray Charles 3. American Land – Bruce Springsteen 4. This Land … Continue reading →

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The consolation prize

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Republicans couldn’t get their act together enough to pass the “sanctuary cities” bill, but they did manage to do this. A provision in the approved Senate Bill 1, the special session’s must-pass school finance bill, will require people to … Continue reading →

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Kubosh files appeal in red light camera lawsuit

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Mary Benton has the story and the appeal documents. Relevant quote: In the Kubosh appeal attorneys argue, among other points, “if government by the people, of the people, and for the people is to have meaning in Houston, this Court … Continue reading →

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It’s pork-choppin’ time

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

At least one Texas industry is looking forward to better times. New legislation aimed at reducing Texas’ massive feral hog population also is expected to put some sizzle in the state’s helicopter services sector and create a new breed of … Continue reading →

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Yet another new microbrewery to open

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Not far from my house, as it happens. Startup Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. will be located much closer to I-10 than to its namesake waterway, but founder Rassul Zarinfar says that’s by design. […] The company has leased a 7,800 … Continue reading →

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