Monthly Archives: June 2006

Lampson lambastes Congressional pay raise

Posted on June 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Nick Lampson writes a letter to Fort Bend Now. Congress should be ashamed of giving itself a raise at a time when our nation faces the largest debt and deficits in its history. Our country is facing a real mess … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 3 Comments

The Astrodome Amusement Park

Posted on June 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, we may have found a use for the Astrodome: The world’s largest indoor amusement park is coming to the Astrodome next week. With Astroworld gone the Astrodome is picking up the slack for summer fun. […] Jerry Murphy says … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on The Astrodome Amusement Park

Lawsuit against Metro coming?

Posted on June 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve wondered before if the anti-rail-on-Richmond forces were going to put their money where their mouths are and file suit to force Metro to adhere to what they claim was clear ballot language that indicated the line would be built … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Lawsuit against Metro coming?

Thank you, TDP

Posted on June 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: The following letter was signed by all members of the Texas Progressive Alliance and sent to the TDP office yesterday. We’re also posting it publicly to ensure that the good work done by Amber and Hector is properly lauded.) … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

Turn on ActBlue in Texas

Posted on June 16, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

As many of you know, ActBlue is the federal clearinghouse for donations to Democratic candidates, having channeled over $5.5 million to Dem contenders so far. But did you know, that with your help, you can activate it for Texas… for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

The money race

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

We’re still a few weeks away from seeing the second quarter financial reports for campaigns, but there’s some good news for Chris Bell in the fundraising numbers from the special session. According to records filed Wednesday with the Texas Ethics … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on The money race

Fewer experts, please

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The defense team for Andrea Yates, in conjunction with a passel of mental health advocates, is challenging the qualifications of a prosecution expert for the upcoming retrial. Yates’ attorneys are challenging the qualifications of the state’s expert witnesses, including Dr. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Lawsuit filed over state spending limit

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a busy week for suing the state of Texas. Edd Hendee, executive director of Citizens Lowering Our Unfair Taxes, sued Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Tom Craddick, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and the Legislative Budget Board. “The limitations … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 5 Comments

Fewer tickets, more collections

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Fewer drivers are getting parking tickets in Houston, but those that do are much more likely to end up paying them. The city has issued about 170,000 parking tickets so far this fiscal year, which runs through June 30, down … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Fewer tickets, more collections

Injunction sought to require paper ballots

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via Houston Dems, the Texas Civil Rights Project has filed a lawsuit to seek an injunction to force the use of paper ballots in Texas. From their press release: Voters, civil rights groups and a statewide candidate filed a petition … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 3 Comments

Chad Khan in the news

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Nice little article here on HD126 contender Chad Khan. I’ve reprinted it beneath the fold since I have no idea how long these community newspaper links last. Khan’s a good candidate, and he’ll have the resources he needs to run … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Chad Khan in the news

I-10 flood mitigation ponds

Posted on June 15, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

One of the public meetings held last week was to discuss plans for some flood mitigation ponds around I-10 near the Heights. Robin has some information on what is currently being proposed, plus some background info on the project if … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Ceverha settles with Dems in TRMPAC lawsuit

Posted on June 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a start. The treasurer for Texans for a Republican Majority, a political committee at the heart of almost four years of criminal investigations and civil litigation, has paid $65,000 to former Democratic candidates in an attempt to end his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Ceverha settles with Dems in TRMPAC lawsuit

Cleanup checklist

Posted on June 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

From yesterday’s Chron, some action on the clean-air front. Concentrations of a dozen air pollutants in the Houston area pose significant risks to public health, and nowhere is the risk greater than in east Harris County, along the Ship Channel, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Cleanup checklist

Blue Bayou

Posted on June 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Congrats to John for becoming the newest member of the Chron.commons community. His new blog is called Blue Bayou. Nicely done! Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 1 Comment

Chet Edwards’ new look

Posted on June 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t see the word “blog” anywhere on Chet Edwards‘ spiffily redesigned webpage, but it’s got a blog-like structure to it. Whatever you want to call it, it looks good. Check it out for yourself and see. Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Chet Edwards’ new look

Annie’s List endorses Thibaut

Posted on June 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via Houston Dems: Annie’s List has added HD133 candidate Kristi Thibaut to its ledger of endorsed candidates for State House. I’ve been a fan of Kristi’s for awhile now, so I consider this very good news. Among other things, Annie’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Annie’s List endorses Thibaut

Enron’s emails

Posted on June 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via David Pogue’s technology blog comes Enron Email. Search through more hundreds of thousands of email messages to and from 176 former Enron executives and employees from the power-trading operations in 2000-2002. For the first time, they are available to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Enron’s emails

Krispy Kreme: Still dead in Houston

Posted on June 14, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

As you may recall, the Krispy Kreme donut franchise exited Houston in March in the midst of a nasty franchisee lawsuit. At the time, a local outfit called Jumbles Dough Factory and Coffee Bar took over several former Krispy Kreme … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 2 Comments

On to Omaha!

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

You know, five trips to the College World Series in the last ten years really doesn’t suck. And of course, the last time the Owls made it to Omaha, coincidentally also after having been the #1-ranked team for a good … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on On to Omaha!

The Northside Intermodal Transit Center proposal

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The public meeting for the proposed Intermodal Transit Center north of downtown was this weekend. Here’s what Metro unveiled. The terminal would be a half-mile north of the University of Houston-Downtown, where the existing MetroRail Red Line now ends, on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

DeLay to be investigated for voter fraud in Virginia?

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

From the DC Political Report, via The Muse: EXCLUSIVE: Tom DeLay To Be Investigated for Voter Fraud: D.C.’s Political Report has learned that a challenge has been filed with the City of Alexandria’s Voter Registrar alleging that former House Majority … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Bell attacks Strayhorn

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Coming out of the Dem convention, Chris Bell is taking aim at Carole Keeton Strayhorn for her many about-faces on different issues, such as CHIP. The following is from an article reprinted from the Rio Grande Guardian. When Gov. Rick … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Bell attacks Strayhorn

Convention video

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Vince has links to videos of all the convention addresses. Since I missed most of these, I’ll have to go back and watch a few. One that I have already watched is this one by all of the newer State … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Convention video

Blue notes from Dot

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Dot Nelson-Turnier is the latest blogging candidate among the State Rep contenders, as she debuts Blue Notes from Dot. I’ve got a lot of respect for Dot for being the first Democrat since at least 1990 to run for the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Blue notes from Dot

Revisiting the James Byrd hate crime law

Posted on June 13, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

State Sen. Rodney Ellis, the author of the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crime Act of 2001, looks at the law’s effect and concludes it could and should do more. Texas prosecutors rarely use the hate crimes statute. Since the hate … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Revisiting the James Byrd hate crime law

Prosecuting students in Round Rock

Posted on June 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I haven’t been following very closely this story about high school kids in Round Rock who got arrested for skipping school during the immigration rallies back in March, but I’ve got a few thoughts about it now. Of the more … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

Candidate Q&A: Bill Connolly

Posted on June 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

One of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of this year was to do as many candidate interviews as I could. I’m off to a pretty good start so far, I think, and I hope to have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

So long, and thanks for all the lost clout

Posted on June 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle says good-bye to Tom DeLay. DeLay’s absence in office is already being felt. Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, said DeLay always stood ready to pursue or protect Texas’ interests in Congress. Now, as Texas fights to be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

Two conventions, two views

Posted on June 12, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Star Telegram’s Bud Kennedy attended both parties’ conventions. He found more to like at the Dem convention than he did at the GOP event. Just so you know. Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Two conventions, two views

Many more interviews from the convention

Posted on June 11, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

While everybody else was doing such a great job liveblogging, at which we all know I suck, I thought I’d try to pursue a more productive option. I spent yesterday interviewing a bunch of candidates. Here’s the full lineup: You … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Many more interviews from the convention

Analysis of the TDP lawsuit on DeLay’s removal from the ballot

Posted on June 11, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Actual lawyer Bobby Warren takes a look at the lawsuit filed by the TDP over the attempt to replace Tom DeLay on the CD22 ballot and gives his analysis of its arguments. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Analysis of the TDP lawsuit on DeLay’s removal from the ballot

It’s Boyd

Posted on June 10, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

For those keeping score at home, the winner of the TDP Chair race is Boyd Richie, in overtime over Glen Maxey. I will now repeat my call for a minimum of bloodshed from this point forward. I’ll even add a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on It’s Boyd

Pictures!

Posted on June 10, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This is what it looks like when bloggers party. You might have noticed that one of us is hiding behind some other bloggers in that picture. Here’s a a better look. Be nice with the captioning. Here’s a list of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Pictures!