Monthly Archives: December 2009

The Speaker knows what we’re up against

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure House Speaker Joe Straus is looking ahead to the 2011 session and stockpiling the Maalox and Excedrin. Among the “interim charges” to 31 committees handed out by Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio – issues for lawmakers to study … Continue reading →

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

Locke sorta kinda explains the Hotze endorsement

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here it is, for what it’s worth, which isn’t much. I guess if you can truly convince yourself that Hotze’s endorsement wasn’t about Annise Parker’s sexuality, you can believe it’s okay to accept it. I don’t know what there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Runoff EV report, Day 3

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the spreadsheet. Basically, three near-identical days for in person voting. At this rate, about 75,000 ballots will be cast before Election Day. I think it will be higher than that, but I don’t think by much. For comparison, here’s … Continue reading →

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

First, get someone to actually run

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I certainly agree that the Democratic statewide ticket would benefit from the presence of a qualified Latino candidate or two or three. Agreeing on that is the easy part. Finding someone who qualifies as qualified and who is actually willing … Continue reading →

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Toys for tots with valid ID

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is what you call bad holiday publicity. The Salvation Army and a charity affiliated with the Houston Fire Department are among those that consider immigration status, asking for birth certificates or Social Security cards for the children. The point … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

CCA versus David Dow

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

According to Grits, UH law professor David Dow and the nonprofit Texas Defender Service will be called to account before the Court of Criminal Appeals for filing tardy paperwork. Two years ago, David Dow and the Texas Defender Service were … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

How green is your website?

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here are two thoughtful and interesting posts about data centers and carbon neutrality from my friend and Trinity classmate Robert Nagle; a postscript with some added thoughts is here. I’m glad to see that my webhost does pretty well in … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 30

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes everyone had a happy Thanksgiving weekend. Click on to see what you missed last week amid all the turkey and football.

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Liveblogging tonight’s Mayoral debate

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

No, not me. David Ortez, over at Hair Balls. It’s just getting underway now. I’m sure Twitter will be lighting up with commentary as well, so head over there or run for the hills, as the case may be. UPDATE: … Continue reading →

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

Runoff EV report, Day Two

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The early vote spreadsheet has now been updated to include Day Two. Short story, about the same number of in person votes, fewer mail ballots returned, two day total of 17,480. Again, not too shabby considering the crappy weather. Maybe … Continue reading →

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What the others are saying about Hotze’s endorsement

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So here’s the Chron coverage of the Hotze endorsement. Of the many things I find unfathomable about this, here’s the item at the top of the list. Kris Banks, president of Houston’s GLBT Political Caucus, which has endorsed Parker, questioned … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Did I mention that we’re facing a revenue shortfall?

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In case I haven’t beaten this horse beyond recognition yet, the stimulus money really saved our budgetary bacon this year, and without something equally dramatic, we are so screwed in 2011. “It was a deficit budget as written,” said Scott … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Quan considering a run for County Judge

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Miya has the story. Former City Council Member Gordon Quan is THISCLOSE to throwing his hat in the ring for Harris County Judge. I heard the rumors a few days ago, but confirmed with Quan this morning. […] When we … Continue reading →

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

Controller’s runoff overview

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron overview of the Controller’s runoff. Two points of interest to note. One is what presence, if any, the two candidates will have on the airwaves. Tactically, both campaigns said they intend to focus on direct-mail, block-walking and … Continue reading →

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

The real reason Governor Perry keeps his travels secret

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I think this sums it all up right here. The governor’s Oct. 24 political trip to Las Vegas to meet with Brian Sandoval, a Republican candidate for Nevada governor, included a bachelor party for Perry’s son, Griffin, spokesman Mark Miner … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment