Monthly Archives: February 2012

The next battleground for cottage foods

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall that last year home bakers were able to get a law passed that allowed them to legally sell their products in the state. (See here for all the background.) Now that the legislative work is done, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ames Jones resigns from the Railroad Commission

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

We have our answer about how confident she was in her defense of that lawsuit. Elizabeth Ames Jones resigned from the Texas Railroad Commission on Monday to devote herself full time to running for state Senate District 25, she said … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

On primary challenges

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I bookmarked this Statesman story about State Sen. Jeff Wentworth and the primary challenge he faces back when it ran, not because I was terribly interested in that particular race (though some elements of it are quite entertaining) but mostly … Continue reading →

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They want to be relevant

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Texas Republicans are looking longingly at the utter depraved insanity excitement of the apparently competitive GOP Presidential primary and hoping that they will still have a voice in picking the winner. Texas may be “the conservative epicenter of this country,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Court of inquiry recommended in Morton case

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson should face a court of inquiry to examine allegations that he hid evidence that could have spared Michael Morton from a wrongful murder conviction and almost 25 years in prison, a state … Continue reading →

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Football season is over, but political football season never ends

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It never even reaches the two minute warning. The committee chairman described it as a “food fight,” an after-midnight bout as Republican Congressman Blake Farenthold tried to jimmy legislation to block federal money for Metro to build or extend the … Continue reading →

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Reliant drainage deal?

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Will wonders never cease? There may be a resolution to the spat over whether the county has to pay the city drainage fee imposed on Reliant Park – an annual bill of $353,000. Tuesday’s Commissioners Court agenda includes an item … Continue reading →

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Interview with DA Pat Lykos

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

For my interviews this week, I’m going to take a brief detour from the Democratic primaries to converse with the two candidates in the highest profile Republican primary in Harris County. That would be the District Attorney race, and we … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Two views of pensions

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Sunday op-ed pages were filled with pension-related discussion. Here are the citizen members of the Long-Range Financial Management Task Force, fresh off of their report release, taking to the pages to lay out what the city wants from … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

That’s hitting them where they live

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Clever. Railroad Commission Chairman Elizabeth Ames Jones vacated her office when she moved from Austin to run for the state Senate, and she should not be continuing to collect her monthly salary, a lawsuit filed [last week] alleges. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interim map hearing tomorrow

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Big day in San Antonio tomorrow. Groups involved in the state’s redistricting fight were ordered by a San Antonio federal court Friday to continue negotiations through the weekend over interim redistricting maps for the 2012 election. The court order comes … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for February 12

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Happy 203rd birthday, Abe Lincoln! You don’t look a day over 200. The Off the Kuff Facebook page needs three Likes to get to 200. Can you help? TV networks do all kinds of shady things to boost ratings. How … Continue reading →

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The Long-Range Financial Management Task Force report is out

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

A little light reading for your Sunday. The report generated criticism before the figurative ink was dry on it. Union leaders criticized the report before it was even delivered to the mayor, with Houston Organization of Public Employees President Melvin … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

First Metro HOV toll lane opens tomorrow

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Enjoy your new option, Gulf Freeway commuters. Metro is set to debut its first high-occupancy toll lanes on the Gulf Freeway between Dixie Farm Road and Dowling Street on Monday. This arrangement allows solo drivers to use high-occupancy vehicle, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Keep that rain coming

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The recent rain has been great for mitigating the drought, but we still have a long way to go. During the last week an arc of Texas beset by a historic drought for a year – stretching from San Antonio … Continue reading →

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The “Crazy College of Qatar”

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

As you may know, Houston Community College opened a satellite campus in Doha, Qatar, a couple of years ago. Apparently there have been a few bumps in the road along the way. The dean chosen by the Qatari government was … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Easy

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Song #82 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “Easy”, originally by The Commodores, and covered by Faith No More. Here’s the original: Yeah, not so much for me. I’m one of those people who thinks of that old … Continue reading →

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HISD Board renews Grier’s contract

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It was not unanimous. The Houston school board on Thursday extended Superintendent Terry Grier’s contract through June 2014 in a split vote that signaled the controversial chief has bridges to build with the newer trustees. The five trustees who were … Continue reading →

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2013 NBA All Star Game officially awarded to Houston

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Yay, us! Seven years after last hosting, NBA commissioner David Stern announced Wednesday that the All-Star Game and weeklong festivities will return to Houston in 2013 at Toyota Center. “Houston is a spectacular sports city, and for one week it … Continue reading →

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

Meet the new rail debate, same as the old rail debate

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I feel like I’ve heard all this before. Opponents of the planned downtown streetcar system said Tuesday that county officials broke a promise with voters when they agreed to use advanced transportation district funds to help fund the project. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Friday random ten: Songs for an unromantic Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

There are many songs to express one’s romantic feelings for one’s partner on Valentine’s Day and to help put one’s partner in the mood for love. These are not ten of those songs. 1. If You Want Me To Love … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Council agrees to red light camera settlement

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At long last. City Council approved a payout of at least $4.8 million Wednesday to settle a lawsuit and take down Houston’s controversial red-light cameras, finally ending a legal battle that began after voters banned the devices in a referendum … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Environmental report card for Congressional Texas

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: The Texas League of Conservation Voters highlighted Texas’ leadership and failures on national environmental issues, based on today’s release of the League of Conservation Voters 2011 National Environmental Scorecard. The 2011 National Environmental Scorecard grades Congress’ work … Continue reading →

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Memphis to Big East

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s what they’ve always wanted. At long last, Memphis is part of the Big East. The Tigers officially accepted an invitation to be part of the conference’s next incarnation in 2013, the conference said Wednesday. Memphis is the seventh school, … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When monkeys are outlawed, only outlaws will have monkeys

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Or something like that. Even in their Texas hideout, Jim and Donita Clark are terrified that wildlife agents from their home state of Louisiana will descend on their motorhome and seize the four Capuchin monkeys they’ve reared for 10 years. … Continue reading →

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Interview with Alan Rosen

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Concluding my series of Precinct 1 Constable candidate interviews is Alan Rosen. Rosen has worked in law enforcement for 21 years and is currently a Major and Commander of the Special Operation Bureau for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Here’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Another item for the city’s legislative wish list

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Loren Steffy brings up a familiar issue that has added salience now as the city tries to deal with its long term finances. Across the city, prime office buildings are selling for far more than their tax values, leaving billions … Continue reading →

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Can ban lawsuit moves to Travis County

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Some new plaintiffs, too. A group of river-related businesses has sued the City of New Braunfels, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Mark Vickery , executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, over a ban on disposable containers … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of February 6

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance thought that was one of the better halftime shows it has seen recently as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Nobody cares more about caribou nookie than Louie Gohmert

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

If that headline doesn’t make sense to you, go read this. Once you’ve regained your senses, go read what Harold Cook has to say about it. The standard beverage warning is in effect. You’re welcome.

Posted in General snarkiness | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Interview with Quincy Whitaker

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing on with the Constable interviews in Precinct 1, today I present Quincy Whitaker. Whitaker is a native of Nacogdoches who has lived in Houston for 21 years, after being discharged from the army where he was a military policeman. … Continue reading →

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While we wait for another deal, if there is one

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Michael Li reminds us what comes next. The San Antonio court has scheduled a hearing on interim maps and the election schedule for next Wednesday, February 15, with briefs on a broad range of issues due this Friday. That gives … Continue reading →

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Brown’s part time staff

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

You have to admit, she does things her way. Houston District A Councilwoman Helena Brown, whose lone “no” votes against city spending have differentiated her from the rest of the 17-member council, also is an outlier as an employer: She … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Huts for the homeless?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I like the sound of this. At-Large Position 5 Councilman Jack Christie used Wednesday’s pop-off to pitch an idea to his colleagues: huts for the homeless. Christie distributed a printout describing small huts built by a group called Mad Housers … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments