Daily Archives: January 12, 2009

Strayhorn makes it official

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

She wants one of her old jobs back. A no-holds-barred campaigner, Strayhorn will spice up an already lively mayor’s race. Austin City Council Member Brewster McCracken, a high-energy and ambitious figure, began his mayoral campaign in December. Former Texas Monthly … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged | 2 Comments

Rickey and Rice

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So the Hall of Fame Class of 2009 is Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice. No Bert Blyleven, no Alan Trammel, no Tim Raines, no Mark McGwire. Twenty-six members who bothered to put at least one name on a ballot (two … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 7 Comments

That sound you hear is state revenues falling

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Look out below! Comptroller Susan Combs today estimated that Texas has about $9 billion less to spend – $77 billion – than it did two years ago. Combs called her revenue estimate, which caps how much lawmakers can spend in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on That sound you hear is state revenues falling

Weingarten, neighbors settle

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The battle between Weingarten and its neighbors over the changes to the new River Oaks Shopping Center has been resolved. Weingarten’s plans for a two-story Italian restaurant and wine bar, to be operated by Jeff and Tony Vallone, required encroachment … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Weingarten, neighbors settle

The Chron on the Straus effect

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron takes a look at what life in the House might be like under new Speaker-to-be Joe Straus. For Texans, that means a new team of House lawmakers will lead critical committees involving everything from future college costs to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Open Letter to Artisans and Authors Regarding CPSIA

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

My cousin Jill, who has been working on making changes to the Consumer Protection and Safety Act (CPSIA) that will be less onerous to small businesses that make toys and children’s products, points me to this open letter to artisans … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on Open Letter to Artisans and Authors Regarding CPSIA

Bye-bye, DRM

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Like just about everyone, I’m glad to hear that Apple will be selling DRM-free music via iTunes. But I think I’m even more excited by this: In return, Apple agreed to a long-standing demand of the music labels and said … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment