Monthly Archives: March 2009

Candidate interview: Yolanda Navarro Flores

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Next up in the District H special election interview series is Yolanda Navarro Flores. As far as I know, she is the only candidate to have been elected to public office before – she served one term in the Lege … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Candidate interview: Yolanda Navarro Flores

Ultrabad

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So now that we’ve finally disposed of the single most important issue facing Texas today in the Senate, perhaps we can move on to other matters thay may be of interest, like the budget and CHIP and windstorm insurance and … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ultrabad

Holm announces for Controller

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t say authoritatively if it’s the first of its kind anywhere, but this is the first announcement for public office via Twitter that I’ve seen. Announcing the launch of my Houston City Controller campaign web site, pamholm.com! Visit often, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Holm announces for Controller

Senate wraps up voter ID

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In the end, after more debate and a bunch of Democratic amendments that were rejected by the same 19-12 vote, SB362 itself was passed on second reading in the Senate on a 19-12 party line vote. There were two amendments … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Senate wraps up voter ID

Public Service Announcements department

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Just a couple of announcements that may be of interest to readers. The first is a press release from Women Professionals in Government: Women Professionals in Government Offers Scholarship Opportunity Women Professionals in Government proudly announces a $1,500 scholarship award … Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Public Service Announcements department

Planning the workaround

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

While one may feel reasonably optimistic about the chances of a legislative override to Governor Perry’s decision to reject stimulus funds for unemployment insurance, it never hurts to try to grease the skids a little. Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Planning the workaround

Coup? What coup?

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The rumor of a list of legislators looking to oust House Speaker Joe Straus turns out to be, well, a rumor. The Statesman’s Gardner Selby started hearing chatter late last week that Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, was circulating … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Coup? What coup?

Coup? What coup?

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The rumor of a list of legislators looking to oust House Speaker Joe Straus turns out to be, well, a rumor. The Statesman’s Gardner Selby started hearing chatter late last week that Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, was circulating … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Coup? What coup?

Reminder: GHDC District H candidate forum

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The Greater Heights Democratic Club is holding a candidate forum for District H this Thursday. Please join the Greater Heights Democratic Club for a Candidate Forum for the upcoming City of Houston, District H, Special Election. Place: Reagan High School … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Comments Off on Reminder: GHDC District H candidate forum

Reminder: GHDC District H candidate forum

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Greater Heights Democratic Club is holding a candidate forum for District H this Thursday. Please join the Greater Heights Democratic Club for a Candidate Forum for the upcoming City of Houston, District H, Special Election. Place: Reagan High School … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Reminder: GHDC District H candidate forum

No open carry

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The “Open Carry” movement, which was advocating for a change to Texas’ concealed carry law to allow guns to be worn in plain view, appears to have failed as no bill was filed to achieve this end. [A]fter months lobbying … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on No open carry

No open carry

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The “Open Carry” movement, which was advocating for a change to Texas’ concealed carry law to allow guns to be worn in plain view, appears to have failed as no bill was filed to achieve this end. [A]fter months lobbying … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 3 Comments

Dems seek repeal of new DPS rules

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

We didn’t have any voter ID action yesterday, but we did have this. Some Democratic lawmakers joined by Texas residents who have had trouble getting drivers’ licenses under new Department of Public Safety rules pushed Monday for legislation that would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on Dems seek repeal of new DPS rules

Dems seek repeal of new DPS rules

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We didn’t have any voter ID action yesterday, but we did have this. Some Democratic lawmakers joined by Texas residents who have had trouble getting drivers’ licenses under new Department of Public Safety rules pushed Monday for legislation that would … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dems seek repeal of new DPS rules

Texas blog roundup for the week of March 16

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Spring is in the air, and the Texas Progressive Alliance has a spring in its step. Click on to see what we’re animated about. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of March 16

Texas blog roundup for the week of March 16

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Spring is in the air, and the Texas Progressive Alliance has a spring in its step. Click on to see what we’re animated about.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of March 16

Union Bar reaches resolution with GLBT community

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via press release from the HGLBT Political Caucus, it looks like we have a resolution to the incident at the Union Bar: Representatives from Union Bar and Lounge met with leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Union Bar reaches resolution with GLBT community

Union Bar reaches resolution with GLBT community

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Via press release from the HGLBT Political Caucus, it looks like we have a resolution to the incident at the Union Bar: Representatives from Union Bar and Lounge met with leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Union Bar reaches resolution with GLBT community

No voter ID today

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Senate was supposed to finish doing its dirty work on voter ID today, but a clerical error has put things off for another day. Including all previously scheduled committee meetings, because nothing else can get done till the single … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on No voter ID today

No voter ID today

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The Senate was supposed to finish doing its dirty work on voter ID today, but a clerical error has put things off for another day. Including all previously scheduled committee meetings, because nothing else can get done till the single … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on No voter ID today

Is there are revolt brewing against Straus?

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Texas Insider passes along what is probably a rumor. Word around the Texas House of Representatives is that a phantom list of nearly 76 signatures is circulating that will take out Speaker Joe Straus when the time is right. A … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Is there are revolt brewing against Straus?

Is there a revolt brewing against Straus?

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Texas Insider passes along what is probably a rumor. Word around the Texas House of Representatives is that a phantom list of nearly 76 signatures is circulating that will take out Speaker Joe Straus when the time is right. A … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Candidate interview: Rick Rodriguez

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, there is a special election coming up in City Council District H to fill the seat that was vacated by now-Sheriff Adrian Garcia. There are nine candidates running for this seat, and as has been my custom … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Candidate interview: Rick Rodriguez

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

As you know, there is a special election coming up in City Council District H to fill the seat that was vacated by now-Sheriff Adrian Garcia. There are nine candidates running for this seat, and as has been my custom … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Comments Off on Candidate interview: Rick Rodriguez

Why it really is about suppressing the vote

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Once the voter ID debate shifts over to the House, there will be several bills there for them to consider as companions to SB362. One such bill is HB1414 by Rep. Dwayne Bohac, which is as far as I can … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

Why it really is about suppressing the vote

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Once the voter ID debate shifts over to the House, there will be several bills there for them to consider as companions to SB362. One such bill is HB1414 by Rep. Dwayne Bohac, which is as far as I can … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Why it really is about suppressing the vote

A better idea for the Grand Parkway

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

If we must build the Grand Parkway Segment E, then this would be a far more preferable way to do it. Probably less expensive, too.

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A better idea for the Grand Parkway

A better idea for the Grand Parkway

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

If we must build the Grand Parkway Segment E, then this would be a far more preferable way to do it. Probably less expensive, too. Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on A better idea for the Grand Parkway

More on the end of the sixty-five percent rule

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an updated story on the end of the sixty-five percent rule. Gov. Rick Perry’s 4-year-old mandate that schools spend at least 65 percent of their money on classroom instruction is under fire from key lawmakers in Perry’s own party. … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on More on the end of the sixty-five percent rule

More on the end of the sixty-five percent rule

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Here’s an updated story on the end of the sixty-five percent rule. Gov. Rick Perry’s 4-year-old mandate that schools spend at least 65 percent of their money on classroom instruction is under fire from key lawmakers in Perry’s own party. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on More on the end of the sixty-five percent rule

Weekend link dump for March 15

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Beware The Ides Of March… Why we immunize. The post is from last month, but there’s no bad time to be reading that. Don’t click on some of the photo links if you have a weak constitution. Giant armadillos! When … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for March 15

Weekend link dump for March 15

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Beware The Ides Of March… Why we immunize. The post is from last month, but there’s no bad time to be reading that. Don’t click on some of the photo links if you have a weak constitution. Giant armadillos! When … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for March 15

More on the Union Bar

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

KHOU has a story on the incident at Union Bar on Friday. [T]he bar’s owner said it was all a big misunderstanding, and apologized for the incident. He said since the bar opened late last fall, it has been booked … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on More on the Union Bar

More on the Union Bar

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Greg Wythe

KHOU has a story on the incident at Union Bar on Friday. [T]he bar’s owner said it was all a big misunderstanding, and apologized for the incident. He said since the bar opened late last fall, it has been booked … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments