Monthly Archives: April 2007

HB626: Not any better

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

OK, forget what I said about HB626. The new version isn’t any better. Instead of spending $220 for fresh copies of naturalization papers, the bill would now simply make the Secretary of State vet birth certificates and naturalization papers when … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Compromise on HB626?

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this sounds promising. Phil King has been talking to Democrats about a possible solution to the voter registration bill, which, in its original form, required voters to prove their citizenship in order to register to vote. This onerous requirement … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Early voting in Farmer’s Branch

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Our local election may not generate much turnout, but that’s not the case for the Farmer’s Branch referendum to make it illegal to rent an apartment to an undocumented immigrant. [A] popular former Farmers Branch mayor, David Blair Jr., has … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 1 Comment

Early voting starts today

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s where and when to vote between now and May 8. I’ll be casting my ballot for Melissa Noriega, and I hope you will, too. Lord knows, you shouldn’t experience much of a line wherever you go to vote. Matt … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Round Two of voter ID today in the House

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

BOR reminds us on the next assault on the right to vote that will come up in the House today, Rep. Phil King’s odious HB626. Here’s a list of legislators to call and urge a No vote on this sucker. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Open letter to Mayor White about Houston Media Source

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Robb Fickman of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association has written an open letter to Mayor White asking that Houston Media Source continue to be funded by Council. Apparently, Mayor White has proposed defunding HMS and giving its money to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Money talks, but only if you can hear it

Posted on April 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Lisa Gray uses her new column space to make a plea for saving the River Oaks Theater, River Oaks Shopping Center, and Alabama Bookstop. Yes, it’s a long shot — but it’s not too late for one of those “win-win” … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Possibly the only Chron story you’ll see about the May 12 election

Posted on April 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Given the headline “Race to replace Sekula-Gibbs a blip on the radar” and the fact that it was buried inside the Metro section today, I’ll be surprised if we see another article on the May 12 City Council election. Barring … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Chron endorses Melissa Noriega

Posted on April 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Outstanding. The Chronicle endorses Melissa Noriega, a candidate with a diverse range of useful experience and a demonstrated commitment to learning, and solving, Houstonians’ needs. Noriega, who grew up in Austin and Houston, has a master’s degree from the University … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The clock is ticking for the West 11th Street Park

Posted on April 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This does not sound good. Those who are raising funds to purchase 5 acres of the West 11th Street Park have until August. That’s the time that has been estimated the Houston Parks Board should post the land for sale … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Why don’t you come back here and say that?

Posted on April 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

So this Texan goes to visit Australia, and while he’s there he takes a tour of an Australian ranch. The Aussie rancher tells him how big the ranch is, and the Texan says “Big deal. Where I come from, we’ve … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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A new toll road concern

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Long as we’re talking about toll road issues…In a completely under-the-radar move, the H-GAC Transportation Policy Council has approved a proposal by TxDOT and the HCTRA under which HCTRA would send some of its toll revenues to TxDOT to fund … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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And the toll road confrontation is on

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

HB1892, the much-ballyhooed two year toll road moratorium, has passed the Senate and is headed back to the House for final passage before going to Governor Perry and a potential veto. The state Senate voted 27-4 on a transportation bill … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Early voting starts Monday for the City Council special election

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Are you ready to vote in the May 12 election? Here are the times and places for early voting: Harris County 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through May 4 7 a.m to 7 p.m. May 5 1 to 6 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Michael Berry, radio mogul

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Matt Stiles notes that Michael Berry, City Council member and talk radio host, is now the boss of Clear Channel’s AM stations here in Houston. Congratulations on the new gig, Council Member Berry. To answer Stiles’ question, I’ve no particular … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Voter ID again on Monday

Posted on April 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, only one of the two pernicious voter ID bills that were brought to the floor of the House made it through. The other got sent back to committee on a point of order. That bill, HB626, is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Friday random ten: The group participation edition

Posted on April 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Have I mentioned lately how much I’ve enjoyed this little Friday diversion? Well, I have. As noted on Monday, I’m looking for some collaboration on this one. If you’ve got a list, send me the link or leave it in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Lactation consultation

Posted on April 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

There are many things that “they” don’t tell you about before you become a parent. You know, things like how often you have to trim tiny baby fingernails, the fact that you’ll be lucky to squeeze your one-month-old into 0-3 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Scarbrough’s petition

Posted on April 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I finally have a copy of Daphne Scarbrough’s Section 202 petition to require Metro to undergo discovery for her possible lawsuit. It’s here (PDF) for your perusal. It’s not very long, so take a look. Any input from the lawyers … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Uptown corridor planning workshop

Posted on April 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve mentioned that there’s a series of urban planning workshops for various corridors going on. The last of the bunch, the one for Uptown (i.e., Galleria/Post Oak area) is next week, Wednesday & Thursday, May 2 & 3, from 6:00 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Help Eagle Pass

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The following is from State Rep. Pete Gallego. Yesterday, Eagle Pass and parts of southwest Texas were hit hard by terrible storms and a destructive tornado. Today we honored those in the community who have lost their homes and loved … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

HPV showdown looming

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The HPV conference commitee did its work in short order, and now HB1098 is on its way to Governor Perry’s desk. There was no word on what Perry would do about House Bill 1098. He has 10 days from the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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System benefit fund advances

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

He had to overcome a Talton point of order, but Sylvester Turner is one step closer to getting the System Benefit Fund restored. Public interest groups hailed the tentative passage of House Bill 551, sponsored by Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Editorial roundup on HB218

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Eye on Williamson surveys the editorial landscape for reactions to the voter ID bill that passed out of the House on Tuesday. The verdict, not surprisingly, is uniformly negative. I particularly like the Caller‘s classification of HB218 as “the most … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Freeway noise at Memorial Park

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

What’s that you say? Speak up, I can’t hear you. There’s a plan to reduce noise at Memorial Park? Well, why didn’t you say so? Under a plan that would be financed by the Texas Department of Transportation, the city’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Alabama-Coushatta settle with Abramoff

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

With Jack Abramoff back in the news, here’s one more item to file away. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Livingston has settled a lawsuit with the former employer of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff for an undisclosed amount of money. The lawsuit … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Berman’s campaign finance bill advances

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Leo Berman’s HB2491, the only campaign finance reform bill to make it out of committee so far, is now one step closer to passing out of the House. For what it’s worth. Craig McDonald, executive director of the Austin-based … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Spinal Tap!

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I gotta see this somehow. Spinal Tap is back, and this time the band wants to help save the world from global warming. The mock heavy metal group immortalized in the 1984 mockumentary, “This is Spinal Tap,” will reunite for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Here comes Mario

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

While I was critical of Clay Robison for his characterization of the then-upcoming voter ID fight, he did identify an important issue: If the Democrats stick together, they will prevent Republicans from mustering the necessary two-thirds vote to advance the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

When good things happen to bad bills

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As the title on the Observer blog post says, “Oops!” Due to a technical blunder, two anti-abortion bills died despite overwhelming support in the House State Affairs Committee. House Bill 175, a trigger ban on abortion in Texas should Roe … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Targeting 2008: Pete Sessions

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This is the first in what will surely be an irregular series of analyses of Texas Congressional districts. My main interest will be the seats that I think are at least potentially competitive for 2008, but I’ll likely go beyond … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Saints preserve us!

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Or, failing that, HAHC preserve us, with the “us” being the River Oaks Shopping Center, the River Oaks theater and Alabama Theater/Bookstop. Betty Chapman, who chairs the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, said Tuesday the commission will vote on whether … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Is that all there is?

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

When you see a headline that says DeLay associate tied to Abramoff probe, you kind of expect the story to be all about an associate of Tom DeLay’s and his alleged ties to Jack Abramoff. That’s not quite what we … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

“Jessica’s Law” passes out of Senate

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

And speaking of “Jessica’s Law”, it’s out of the Senate and into a joint committee. The Texas Senate passed its long-awaited “Jessica’s Law” Tuesday to protect children from sexual predators, but it reserved the death penalty for those twice convicted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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