Monthly Archives: February 2006

Surplus sniping

Posted on February 9, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

In the last post I mentioned the state’s budget surplus, which now stands at $4.3 billion. Of that amount, $1.9 billion is earmarked for education and tax reform. The rest of it is “free money” that lawmakers can use as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Criminal justice reforms proposed

Posted on February 9, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This Chron story about criminal justice reform proposals is very interesting. Giving trial judges more discretion to order post-conviction DNA testing and studying ways to improve eyewitness identification are among the dozens of recommendations released Tuesday by the governor’s criminal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Interview with Major Applewhite

Posted on February 9, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Major Applewhite, former Longhorns quarterback and new Rice offensive coordinator, gives an entertaining interview to Houstonist. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on Interview with Major Applewhite

Hubener endorsed, and more

Posted on February 9, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Katy Hubener gets a ringing endorsement from the Dallas Morning News. Here’s what Katy Hubener, a real estate agent running for House District 106, has going against her special-election candidacy to fill the retiring Ray Allen’s seat. She’s a Democrat … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Deutsched

Posted on February 8, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I need to pause for a moment to wish an unfond farewell to George Deutsch, the now-former NASA staffer who tried to tell its scientists how to do their jobs (see here and here for some background). The resignation came … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 4 Comments

Dewhurst disagrees with Perry on special session agenda

Posted on February 8, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Perry may think that the coming special session on school finance reform should ne about property taxes instead, but David Dewhurst begs to differ. “Why don’t we come together? Why don’t we agree on some reforms?” Dewhurst asked in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Use my campaign supporter’s product or else!

Posted on February 8, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Someone please help me out here. How, exactly, is this not a conflict of interest? A powerful West Texas lawmaker has cajoled and berated state health officials for nearly three years, trying to persuade them to dedicate millions of dollars … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Ciro debates, and other notes

Posted on February 8, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Express News writeup of the debate between Ciro Rodriguez and Henry Cuellar. It was liveblogged here in greater depth. According to ActBlue, over $70K has been raised online for Ciro since the infamous Bush-Cuellar embrace photo was published. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Ciro debates, and other notes

Everything takes a back seat to tax cuts

Posted on February 7, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The headline Perry May Put School Reform On Back Burner pretty much says it all. Gov. Rick Perry wants the Legislature, in a special session this spring, to cut school property taxes by about one-third but postpone action on other … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

Howard-Bentzin debate podcast

Posted on February 7, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Now this is way cool, and it’s something I’d love to see the Chronicle do: The Statesman’s Gardner Selby moderated a debate between HD48 runoff candidates Donna Howard and Ben Bentzin, and put it all in a podcast for your … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Certified email

Posted on February 7, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

A few days ago, Kevin wrote about AOL and Yahoo’s implementation of a program to certify and enhance delivery of email from specified senders, with financial institutions being the prime example. “CertifiedEmail will cost a fraction of a cent to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 6 Comments

Enron trial: It’s time to play Impeach The Witness!

Posted on February 7, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The defense got its first crack at a prosecution witness yesterday, and it went about as you might expect. Daniel Petrocelli, lead defense lawyer for former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling, repeatedly asked [Mark] Koenig about his plea agreement with the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | 1 Comment

Interviews with Bell and Gammage

Posted on February 7, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This is going to be a week to focus on Democratic gubernatorial candidates Chris Bell and Bob Gammage. Philip Martin at BOR will be doing his 40/40 coverage on them – he gives the coming attractions here. If you can’t … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Why she runs

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Mary Beth Harrell is back with another Kos diary, this one about why she decided to run for Congress. Check it out. I see that David Harris and John Courage are on their way to Washington, DC for tomorrow’s Band … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Early voting starts in HD48 runoff

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting has begun in the HD48 runoff between Donna Howard and Ben Bentzin. Howard’s been piling up the endorsements, from the Texas Parent PAC, the Texas Academy of Family Physicians PAC, and the Statesman. Meanwhile, Team Bentzin gets off … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Early voting starts in HD48 runoff

The Rodriguez-Cuellar debate

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s debate between Ciro Rodriguez and Henry Cuellar was liveblogged here. (Victor Morales was not invited.) I’m guessing this will be more thorough than any news coverage, but I’ll wait until I see some coverage before I say for sure. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Thin Reed

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Observer advances the ball again in the Tigua Casino scandal, with evidence suggesting that Christian Coalition activist/bagman Ralph Reed broke the law by acting as an unregistered lobbyist. Here’s a taste: In 2001, legally questionable Texas casinos operated … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

I Can’t Get No [bleep]

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Pardon my French, but WTF? They may not have flashed any body parts — except for Mick Jagger’s well-toned stomach — but the Rolling Stones made ABC glad editors were on duty for the Super Bowl halftime show. Two sexually … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 7 Comments

More on the Intermodal Transit Center and on TxDOT

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Just a couple of links of interest: Christof continues his study of the Intermodal Transit Center proposal by looking at comparable sites, and Robin gives us a report from TxDOT’s January meeting, which was in Conroe. Check ’em out. Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Mixed use development near Reliant

Posted on February 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This is going to be happening right near where I work. A property near Reliant Center that for years housed big-box retailers like Target and Garden Ridge has changed hands and will be redeveloped into an urban apartment project. Fidelis … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

Congrats to the Steelers

Posted on February 5, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’m back from Portland, where a depression is now settling over the Seahawk-rooting city. There’s no shame in losing to Bill Cowher’s team. He’s one of the good guys of coaching, and he deserves this one. Congrats to Cowher and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

Hiiiii-YA!

Posted on February 5, 2006 by admin

“Why is Kevin Federline on your box of mints?” My sweetie recently returned from an overseas flight with a remnant from the “courtesy kit” provided him onboard. This particular item was a box of Hiya Liquid Filled Mints – 32 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Comments Off on Hiiiii-YA!

Lambert liveblogs

Posted on February 4, 2006 by admin

Hillary at the Constitution Center Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Lambert liveblogs

The new face of reform

Posted on February 4, 2006 by admin

which, I’m sure you must have read, is a major concern for House Republicans these days House Republicans Try to Get Back on Course Boehner seen as face of change in house GOP picks a ‘fresher’ face House GOP’s new … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Election 2006, General snarkiness, Legal matters, Scandalized!, Skepticism | Comments Off on The new face of reform

robbing Peter’s grandparents to pay Paul

Posted on February 4, 2006 by admin

Our Fiscally Responsible (and, of course, Fearless) Leader is having another go at getting the bills under control In his budget next week, President Bush will propose substantial savings in Medicare, stepping up his efforts to rein in the growing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on robbing Peter’s grandparents to pay Paul

What’s Missing from HSA Coverage

Posted on February 3, 2006 by admin

Health Care Savings Accounts will save the world! That’s the message post-State of the Union. But the key problem with these types of health plans is one nobody’s talking about: how do you ensure individuals with less-than-perfect health can get … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 10 Comments

Guest star time

Posted on February 3, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’m off to Portland for the weekend for my niece’s baptism. I’ve activated the Emergency Guest Blogger Network, so don’t be surprised to see a different byline or two this weekend. Be nice to them, they’re doing me a big … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Administrivia | Comments Off on Guest star time

Gifts for Ceverha

Posted on February 3, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve blogged before about Bill Ceverha, the now-bankrupt former TRMPAC treasurer who sits on the board of the Employees Retirement System of Texas – see here, here, and here for background. Ceverha has been dogged by State Rep. Lon Burnham … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Band of Brothers

Posted on February 3, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Swing State Project reports on the Band of Brothers, who are “55 and counting” military veterans all running as Democratic candidates for Congress this year. They’re gathering in Washington, DC, on the steps of the US Capitol (west lawn) at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 5 Comments

Lampson interview on Talking Points Memo

Posted on February 3, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Nick Lampson sits for a fairly in-depth interview with Josh Marshall. Here’s my earlier chat with him if you want more. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Lampson interview on Talking Points Memo

CB on CNN tonight

Posted on February 2, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Chris Bell will be featured on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 tonight at 11 PM EST, which is 10 PM Central and 9 in El Paso. They’ll be talking about a certain former Majority Leader and the ethics complaint that Bell … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on CB on CNN tonight

Is it raining in the Capitol?

Posted on February 2, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. When I blogged about the TTRC’s business tax proposal, I noted this quote: Byron Schlomach of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which advocates for smaller government and lower taxes, said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

It’s Pile On Henry Cuellar Day

Posted on February 2, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Guess it took this picture for the big boys to notice the CD28 primary, but Kos (here, here, and here) and Atrios (here, here, here, and here) have really been pounding on Rep. Henry Cuellar lately. They’re also touting his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 4 Comments

Enron trial: One thing to keep in mind

Posted on February 2, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

We’re on day two of the prosecution’s case, and if we’ve learned anything from yesterday’s testimony by Mark Koenig, it’s that this trial is going to be wicked long. Basically, the Princess Bride/Good Parts Version of the story will begin … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Enron trial: One thing to keep in mind