Monthly Archives: February 2011

The Studemont Kroger

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Swamplot: Kroger has bought 8.5 acres of former industrial land on Studemont, just south of I-10, the Chronicle‘s Purva Patel reports. The land, which was once part of Houston’s Sixth Ward, sits just north of Arne’s Warehouse and Party Store … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ethics ID

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

According to Martha, State Rep. Ken Legler (R, HD144) has filed HB1036, which would require two forms of ID to file an ethics complaint with the TEC. Who knew that ethics complaint fraud was so rampant in Texas? Clearly, our … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Straus names committee chairs

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A day earlier than expected, and with the Donna Howard situation still unresolved, but here they are. As the Quorum Report says, it’s definitely Straus’ House now. See here and here for more.

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The California view of Texas’ budget situation

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I figure the folks at the LA Times enjoyed themselves writing this story. Texas Gov. Rick Perry delights in telling tales of his California “hunting trips” — hunting for businesses ready to flee the Golden State. But the latest budget … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Wayside Wal-Mart

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

For what it’s worth, I don’t have an opinion about the new Wal-Mart at I-45 and Wayside, whether it’s a Super Center or not. Other than a few comments at Swamplot and on the Stop Heights Wal-Mart Facebook page, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Performance pay for teachers

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m very wary of this. Pay for Texas public school teachers should be connected to appraisals of their work and other factors instead of the 60-year-old salary schedule based on seniority, former U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige and other school … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who’s got a treasurer?

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Noel Freeman, in a note on his Facebook page takes a look at who has filed a proper treasurer appointment for a City Council race, and who has not. (He did a “who’s in so far” report in 2009, too.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2011 | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The state of the state

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Is strong, according to Rick Perry. So strong, in fact, that we’re going to kick the legs out of social services, because clearly we don’t need them. When the state faced a budget crisis in 2003, Gov. Rick Perry’s office … Continue reading →

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The business lobby’s guide to balancing the budget

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Bill Hammond, the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, pens an op-ed with his preferred approach to the budget. The main thing to note is right here: The state has $72.2 billion available for general-purpose spending during … Continue reading →

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How Houston commutes

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Great post from Greg that looks at how people in some Census tracts get to work. One point to highlight: The Solo Drivers … This is an obviously large portion of the population. But there are some very interesting variations … Continue reading →

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

It’s going to be a misogynistic year

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It already has been, unfortunately. Here’s Gail Collins on the recent efforts by some right wing activists who are targeting Planned Parenthood: The people trying to put Planned Parenthood out of business do not seem concerned about what would happen … Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lawsuit to overturn Dallas election allowing expanded alcohol sales set for September

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

So last November, voters in the city of Dallas among other places were asked to decide whether or not to loosen restrictions on alcohol sales there. The measure passed, but not without controversy: Lawyer Andy Siegel, who led the opposition … Continue reading →

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More on the KTRU/KPFT deal

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

After I read about the KTRU/KPFT deal, in which KTRU will broadcast over one of KPFT’s HD radio channels, I wondered what the folks at Save KTRU thought of it. At the time I posted, there wasn’t anything on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ellis’ innocence bills

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

As he has done for the past several sessions, State Sen. Rodney Ellis has introduced numerous bills that will address issues of wrongful convictions and criminal justice procedures designed to help prevent them from happening. Ellis is proposing an “Innocence … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is everything on the table or not?

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Some things are more on the table than others. Tax breaks that encouraged high-cost natural gas drilling in Texas cost state government $7.4 billion in lost revenue over six years and would cost the state billions more if continued, according … Continue reading →

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HD48 election contest still going on

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

There’s still some more testimony to be heard in the election contest between Dan Neil and Rep. Donna Howard in HD48. That and closing arguments are scheduled for today. There was a key development in the contest on Thursday just … Continue reading →

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Study says red light cameras save lives

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Now they tell us. In a study released on Tuesday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, found that red-light cameras could save lives. The findings by the institute, a nonprofit group funded by the insurance industry, found that from 2004-8 … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump for February 6

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Enjoy today’s game, because who knows when the next one will be. And if you’re there in Dallas Arlington North Texas for the Super Bowl, I sure hope you gave yourself plenty of time to actually get to the game. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 2 Comments

Budget testimony from the Sheriff’s office

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to all of the education and HHSC-related testimony before the Senate Finance Committee this week, law enforcement agencies who will be affected by cuts to mental health services were also heard from. Here’s a press release sent out … Continue reading →

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About those Super Bowl economic projections…

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

You can pretty much throw them out the window. North Texas’ weeklong weather whipping is blunting the economic bonanza from Super Bowl XLV. The White Bluff Resort on Lake Whitney, about 70 miles south of Cowboys Stadium, and a sister … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Who wants a “first class” university?

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

The Constitution says we’re supposed to have one, but the budget says otherwise. [The University of Texas] has been a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of leading research universities in the United States and Canada, since … Continue reading →

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Is this finally the end of steroid testing?

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I hope so, but the fight is far from over. In 2008, Texas became the third state to begin steroid testing, setting up a massive $6 million program. Every one of the state’s 700,000-plus public school athletes — from freshmen … Continue reading →

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KTRU joins forces with KPFT

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

KTRU will broadcast over the air again, just from a different spot on the dial. [Rice University] said Saturday that KTRU will broadcast over a digital channel assigned to radio station KPFT, beginning Feb. 14. “We’re excited,” said Joey Yang, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Saturday video break: Let them play

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Via Deadspin, an ad from the NFL Players Association that CBS refused to run: I’ve never quite understood why it’s the players and not the owners who always get the worst of public opinion in labor disputes, but maybe that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TxDOT to take on primacy for Grand Parkway

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From Houston Tomorrow: “There are potential opportunities to help advance [the Grand Parkway] in its entirety over the short term,” according to John Barton, assistant executive director for the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) engineering operations, told the Transportation Policy … Continue reading →

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Dynamo Stadium groundbreaking today

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I presume things will be sufficiently de-iced for the ceremony today at 2 PM at the stadium site in the East End. The stadium will have 22,000 seats, and the expansion capacity will be 30,000 over 340,000 square feet. Populous, … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When the Love Boat goes condo

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

That was my reaction when I read this. Minnesota-based River Cities is proposing a floating condo community that would be based in Houston. The developer, which is targeting retirees, is showing a model condo at the Marina Del Sol in … Continue reading →

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There are some budget cuts even Dan Patrick doesn’t like

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Hard to believe, I know. Republicans and Democrats alike protested at the Senate Finance Committee’s first hearing on proposed budget cuts. They said reductions in programs for disabled children and the mentally ill would go too deep. “When I look … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: The top 500, part 12

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing on with the songs in my collection from the Rolling Stone Top 500 list. 1. Dancing Barefoot – U2 (#323, orig. Patti Smith Group) 2. We Will Rock You – Queen (#330) 3. I Can’t Make You Love Me … Continue reading →

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More drainage fee details

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Things are moving right along on the implementation of Renew Rebuild Houston. Senior Parker administration officials Wednesday revealed the remaining elements of the plan, which would charge an owner of an average-sized Houston home between $5 and $5.31 monthly, depending … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

It’s not just teachers’ jobs that are on the line

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Many other people will be thrown out of work under a cuts-only budget. “I don’t know that I’ll be able to stay in business,” said Jerre van den Bent, owner of Dallas-based Therapy 2000, a 3,000-employee agency helping children with … Continue reading →

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School districts begin preparing for the inevitable

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

If nothing else, we have a clear winner in the furloughs versus layoffs debate. School superintendents want more freedom in determining class sizes and permission to cut employee pay or to furlough teachers and other district employees, which school boards … Continue reading →

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Budget cuts won’t just affect public universities

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From my inbox, an email from the new President of my alma mater. Dear Mr. Kuffner: As you may be aware, the State of Texas faces an unprecedented budget shortfall of between $15 billion and $28 billion for the next … Continue reading →

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Illegal electrons

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Hilarious. As Texas struggles to keep the lights on, who should come to the rescue? Mexico. That’s right, Mexico’s state electricity company on Wednesday started supplying electricity to Texas, where cold weather and power shortages forced rolling blackouts across the … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments