Monthly Archives: March 2006

Candidate forum on Trans Texas Corridor

Posted on March 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

There was a candidates’ forum to discuss the Trans Texas Corridor yesterday in Central Texas. Three gubernatorial wannabees were there. You’ll never guess which one wasn’t. At 6:05 p.m. Friday, almost an hour before the start of the Blackland Coalition’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Candidate forum on Trans Texas Corridor

Strayhorn sues over petition checking

Posted on March 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Carole Keeton Strayhorn has filed suit over how Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams (a Perry appointee) plans to verify signatures on her petition for ballot access. Texas Comptroller Strayhorn and satirist Kinky Friedman each need to gather 45,540 valid … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

Posted on March 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The headline pretty much says it all: Lobbyists organize Patrick fundraiser. State Senate nominee Dan Patrick, who blasted an opponent in the recent Republican primary for taking contributions from lobbyists, is having a fundraising reception in Austin next week, hosted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 4 Comments

You don’t need to know

Posted on March 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Well, the Texas Ethics Commission met to discuss the case of Bill Ceverha, as expected. What was not expected was for them to give one of the stupidest rulings I’ve ever heard of. The Texas Ethics Commission decided Friday that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

No gun for you!

Posted on March 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This is too funny. It seems the Republican controlled Texas Legislature passed a law that if you’re indicted for a felony, you can’t be carrying a concealed handgun, even if you have a license. Oops. At the request of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Craddick speaks on school funding

Posted on March 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I have to say, this does not sound like the Tom Craddick I’m used to hearing. Speaking to an audience of business and school leaders, Craddick said he thinks the state will end up paying for 60 percent to 65 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Craddick speaks on school funding

What’s it all about?

Posted on March 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

In the comments to this post about the status of the charges against Tom DeLay, Right of Texas asks: Don’t you agree that all of this is semi-politically motivated? My honest answer, at least right now, is no, I don’t. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

You sure about that endorsement?

Posted on March 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via Greg, I see that State Rep. Al Edwards is claiming to have the endorsement of Texas Democratic Party Chair Charles Soechting for the April 11 runoff. While it’s not unheard of for a state party chair to get involved … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Ethics Commission to review gifts to Ceverha

Posted on March 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall State Rep. Lon Burnham’s pursuit of bankrupt TRMPAC treasurer Bill Ceverha and his conflicts of interest as a member of the board of the Employees Retirement System of Texas – see here for the previous entry in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Woodland Heights home tour this weekend

Posted on March 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Spring is here, and that means is home tour time. The Woodland Heights Civic Association is first out of the box with this weekend’s tour, the group’s major fundraiser. The event also will mark the neighborhood’s 99th birthday. “We live … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Requesting a mail ballot for the runoff

Posted on March 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

From Glen Maxey, via Patrick Franklin: Exciting New Tool: Requests for Mail Ballots Made Simple Help Barbara Radnofsky or your favorite local run-off candidate in the Democratic Primary Run-Off ! Here’s a great tool that has been developed to assist … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

More meetings for the Universities line

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

In my earlier post on the big Metro meeting to discuss the location of the Universities rail line, I noted that there would be a number of smaller meetings held by district City Council members Ann Clutterbuck, Ada Edwards, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on More meetings for the Universities line

Colorado Luis calls it quits

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Colorado Luis, one of my favorite state-focused blogs, is calling it a career. This blog has been around since August 2003 and now it is time to close. Back when I started, there were few state level blogs and people … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Colorado Luis calls it quits

Delays, delays, nothing but delays

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

So the hearing by the 3rd Court of Appeals on whether or not to reinstate one of the indictments against Tom DeLay was yesterday. The ruling will take some time, and the trial is still too far off on the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Coastal criticism of Perry hurricane plan

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Not everyone thinks that the hurricane task force plan that Governor Perry recently mandated is a good idea; in particular, the recommendation to make the governor the sole decision-maker on when evacuations should occur was criticized. Giving the governor the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 3 Comments

Strayhorn stops state payments to lobby group

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall that Comptroller Strayhorn had announced an audit of payments to the lobbying firm Cassidy & Associates by the state’s Office of Federal and State Relations (OFSR) after the Chron broke a story about C&A’s funneling money back … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Strayhorn stops state payments to lobby group

Another item for the electronic voting critics

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This is not encouraging. Tom Green County Republican Party Chairman Dennis McKerley suspended the recount of the County Court-at-Law No. 2 race about 1:30 p.m. after seeking advice from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office, which suggested shutting down the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 4 Comments

Annexing the Woodlands

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Tory has a long piece on the eventual fate of the Woodlands, whose non-annexation treaty with Houston expires in 2011. There’s pros and cons to its absorption by Houston; assuming that Conroe doesn’t beat us to the punch, it’ll be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Wrath of the Soccer Moms

Posted on March 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Nice article in the Observer about the Texas Parent PAC and its rather impressive debut in the March primaries. One thing to highlight: In addition to sponsoring the five pro-voucher challengers, Leininger funded a second entity, the Future of Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Where the box turtles come from

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

When I read that the Washington Post’s new Republican activist blogger was once a speechwriter for Sen. John Cornyn, I wondered if he had a hand in some of the more, er, colorful things that our junior senator has said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 1 Comment

Perry speaks about TTRC

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

And believe it or not, he’s saying the right things, at least for now. Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday solicited business support for an overhaul of state taxes and said it would be a mistake for legislators to simply use … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 4 Comments

Radnofsky headquarters opening Friday

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Barbara Radnofsky will hold an event at her new campaign headquarters on Friday, at which several candidates and officeholders, including gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell, will formally endorse her for the runoff. I got a robocall from the Radnofsky campaign last … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 4 Comments

Richie responds

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Boyd Richie has now responded to South Texas Chisme’s questionnaire, meaning that all three announced candidates for Chair of the Texas Democratic Party have given answers – you can see Glen Maxey’s here and Charlie Urbina-Jones’ here. Kudos to the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Richie responds

Texas Criminal Justice Coalition to Testify Before House Committee

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I got the same email as Matt, but he posted first so I’ll quote him: The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition today announced it would testify on Wednesday, March 22, before the House Corrections Committee in the Texas Capitol. The Coalition … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Texas Criminal Justice Coalition to Testify Before House Committee

Luke Skywalker: The early years

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve seen the movies. Now, ready or not, here comes Star Wars – the TV show. The series will be set between episodes three and four of the film saga. It would cover the 20 years in the life of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 1 Comment

Fundraiser for Shane Sklar in Houston

Posted on March 22, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

If you live in the Houston area and have not had the opportunity to meet Shane Sklar yet, there’s going to be a fundraiser for him next week. Here are the details: You Are Cordially Invited To A Fundraiser For … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Fundraiser for Shane Sklar in Houston

Dan Patrick back on the air

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Dan Patrick, Republican nominee for SD7, is back on the air thanks to the generosity of his general election opponents. Federal Communications Commission rules require Patrick to give equal airtime to his opponents if he continues his show after filing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 8 Comments

Perry to sign executive order for hurricane evacuation plan

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

You may recall the task force that Governor Perry appointed to study the lessons learned from the Hurricane Rita evacuations, which issued its report exactly one month ago. Today, Governor Perry is expected to sign an executive order to make … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | 4 Comments

The judges in the court go round and round

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Another appeal in the DeLay money laundering case, another opportunity to complain about judicial bias. On Wednesday, one 3rd Court of Appeals panel will hear Earle’s appeal of a district judge’s ruling throwing out charges against DeLay, R-Sugar Land, of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Report from the METRO meeting on the Universities rail line

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Robin Holzer attended the Metro meeting on the Universities light rail line and gives a report on what happened. Read the whole thing, as it’s more detailed than the Chron story (note to Rad Sallee: Robin is a girl, not … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Roger Owen open letter followup

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Meant to blog about this sooner, but you know how it goes: You may recall our open letter to Roger Owen, the nutball anti-gay candidate in CD01. If it wasn’t clear in that post, Vince Leibowitz did email him a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Repeat after me: One size does not fit all

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I agree completely with Eye on Williamson: This Statesman article on how school districts spend their money, doesn’t tell us anything we don’t already know. Different districts have different needs, and they’re in a better position to know what those … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Aiyer on CHIP difficulties

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I linked to this Chron article last week on the difficulties many eligible Texans have enrolling and staying enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Yesterday, I got an email from Jay Aiyer, who had a sensible suggestion for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Tagliabue to retire

Posted on March 21, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is going to retire in July. The 65-year-old commissioner has led the league since 1989, when he succeeded Pete Rozelle, and had recently signed a two-year contract extension to complete the television and labor deals. He … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment