Monthly Archives: July 2009

Council Member Adams sued by former consultant

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Miya has the interesting story. Houston City Council Member Wanda Adams is the defendant in a civil lawsuit. Her former campaign consultant, Kathryn McNiel, has filed suit asking for back consulting fees and legal costs totalling around $47,000. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Council Member Adams sued by former consultant

More on the Heights recycling center

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’d been wondering what the deal was with the proposal to move the neighbhorhood recycling location from Center Street to somewhere in the First Ward when I heard about it last week. There was supposed to be a town hall … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Shine on

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Let us pause for a moment in appreciation of the Spoetzl Brewery, makers of Shiner beer, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year. By all accounts, Shiner beer shouldn’t have made it this long. The Spoetzl Brewery ferments its brew … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Shine on

Texas Tech hires Alberto Gonzales

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m speechless. Alberto Gonzales, who resigned as the Bush administration’s embattled attorney general nearly two years ago, has lined up a fall-semester teaching spot at Texas Tech University, the university confirmed today. Gonzales, who was Gov. George W. Bush’s lawyer, … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Eversole gets slapped by Ethics Commission

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

County Commissioner Jerry Eversole gets hit with a $75,000 fine by the Texas Ethics Commission for failure to accurately report expenses on his campaign finance reports. Eversole said he signed what is known as an “order and agreed resolution” so … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Eversole gets slapped by Ethics Commission

Texas to get stimulus funds for education

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Two weeks ago I wondered if there might be an issue with Texas receiving stimulus funds for education because of the way these funds had been appropriated in the state budget. I’m pleased to see that the answer is no, … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More signage regulation coming

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

First, they came for the billboards. Then they came for the attention-getting devices. Now in the crosshairs: Roof signs and other potential menaces to Houston’s natural beauty. The city of Houston is poised to pass a major revision to its … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lower taxes, less revenue, lower quality

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, you need tax revenues to pay for needed services, and when the demand for those services outstrips the growth of the tax revenues, you either have to find a way to raise more revenue, or you have to cut … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Lower taxes, less revenue, lower quality

The bicyclists strike back

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I know that circulating a petition isn’t the sort of thing that means much in politics, but sometimes a show of names can have an effect. BikeTexas, which is still chafing about the veto of the Safe Passing bill, has … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The bicyclists strike back

Texas blog roundup for the week of July 6

Posted on July 7, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Now that we’ve celebrated another birthday for America, it’s time for the weekly Texas Progressive Alliance blog roundup. Click on for the highlights from the holiday week.

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of July 6

Dunbar in line to chair SBOE

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The crazy never stops. Critics who engineered the recent ouster of State Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy, in part because of his strong religious beliefs, could end up with someone even more outspoken in her faith. Cynthia Dunbar, R-Richmond, … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Interview season

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We may be just two days past July 4, but it’s time to focus on the upcoming November elections. In particular, that means it’s time to start doing interviews with candidates for city offices. I’ve got a few lined up … Continue reading →

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

Berman not running for Governor

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

That’s too bad, because it means the Republican primary won’t be as mean, nasty, and bats-in-the-belfry crazy as it could have been. But while Leo Berman won’t be in the race, Bermanism will be. Gov. Rick Perry and Rep. Leo … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hard times for the local GOP

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Nestled into this story about a recent lecture given by Paul Burka at Rep. Ellen Cohen’s town hall meeting is this nugget about the state of the Harris County GOP: In the words of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Son of Sam

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Really interesting article about the correspondence between local crime victims’ advocate Andy Kahan and notorious serial killer David Berkowitz over “muderabilia” and other topics. In Kahan’s office, manila folders bulge with the stories of families ripped apart by murder. Files … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Son of Sam

Stimulus funds and road projects

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Stimulus funds are coming to a road that may be near you. Texas received $2.25 billion from the stimulus for transportation. That’s on top of the $3 billion it got in federal highway funds this year. The regular federal allotment … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Stimulus funds and road projects

Weekend link dump for July 5

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the Fourth of July… Go green, Austin. Via Kos. Great timing, y’all. Happy Birthday, ActBlue. Did you know they can now take donations via Twitter? Well, now you do. Rarely … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | Comments Off on Weekend link dump for July 5

District H Town Hall meeting

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

From Inside Central Houston: A Town Hall Meeting on “Proposed Center Street Recycle Center Relocation” will be 6 – 8 p.m. July 6 at the West End Multi-Service Center, 170 Heights Blvd. It will be hosted by District H Houston … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Benefit for Jason Nodler

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Jason Nodler is the artistic director for The Catastrophic Theatre. The following is an email from Tamarie Cooper: Dear Friends, Many of you know that Jason was the victim of a serious hit and run accident while in Amsterdam this … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Benefit for Jason Nodler

Hochberg responds to Perry’s veto

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I missed this last week, but State Rep. Scott Hochberg sent out a press release, which is posted on the House website about Governor Perry’s veto of his bill HB1457. If Governor Perry was denied a voter registration certificate because … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hochberg responds to Perry’s veto

RIP, Steve McNair

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

What a tragedy. Former Oilers quarterback Steve McNair was found shot to death in Nashville, shocking former teammates and NFL personnel around the country. McNair, 36, and a woman were found dead inside a condominium Saturday afternoon by the Nashville … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Saturday video break: I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for the great Jimmy Cagney: Yeah, they don’t write ’em like that any more. Happy Fourth!

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Saturday video break: I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy

In Congress, July 4, 1776

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Some words to remember: IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged | Comments Off on In Congress, July 4, 1776

Midtown not feeling the recession

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good to know some parts of town are still thriving. The recession seems to have forgotten about Midtown. A drive around the neighborhood reveals forgotten buildings undergoing restoration and new apartments being framed. This area between the Central Business District … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Midtown not feeling the recession

Comcast to offer wireless broadband in Houston

Posted on July 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Dwight has the news. Coming next year to the hot, humid air all around you, Houston: High-speed wireless broadband from Comcast. Its new High-Speed 2go service is rolling out now in Portland, Ore., and local Comcast spokesman Michael Bybee said … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Friday random ten: In the good old summer time

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

OK, maybe “good” isn’t a word most people use to describe the summers around here, especially this one so far. But let’s not let that stop us from reviewing a fine selection of summer-themed songs: 1. Summertime Blues – The … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Texas Lege app for your iPhone

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Have an iPhone? Want to have facts and contact information about your Texas Legislature at your fingertips? Then take a look at MyTexasLege, now available for download. From their press release: Created by a former Texas House staffer, My Texas … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Texas Lege app for your iPhone

Earle is running for something

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, he’s taken the first step towards running for something, anyway. Democrat Ronnie Earle today filed paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission to run for office in 2010 but did not specify which office he will seek. The former Travis … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lawrence looking at Commissioners Court

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Something I’d realized recently is that almost everyone in city government who is or would have been term-limited out is running or has run for another office. Mayor White is running for Senate. City Controller Annise Parker is running for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hog hell

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Shannon Tompkins gives us an update on the feral hog situation. Feral hogs seem to be everywhere. At least they are in Texas, where we are cursed with the nation’s largest population (an estimated 1.5-2 million animals and growing) of … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Hog hell

That’s a wrap for the special session

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know if it’s a record, but a little more than 30 hours after they gaveled in yesterday, both chambers adjourned sine die today, bringing the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it special session to a close. As noted yesterday, the two bills deemed … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

What The Dew is planning to do

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I linked to this Statesman article yesterday in regard to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s expectations for the Senate in the special session. It also contained this bit about Dewhurst’s view of his future: Dewhurst, in his first interview since before … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Smith bashes Perry for vetoing HB3148

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Todd Smith takes Governor Perry to task for vetoing HB3148, which would have exempted some teenagers who had engaged in consensual sex with a minor less than four years younger than themselves from having to register as sex offenders. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Not everybody isn’t hiring, Part Deux

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Bad economic times are good times for Texas prisons to fill their vacancies. Texas has just 1,262 correctional officer jobs now open, compared with more than 3,700 openings just over a year ago. Officials say more people have become guards … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment