Daily Archives: June 9, 2011

House defies Perry over Amazon and sales taxes

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

This is a pleasant surprise. Breaking with Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas House today refused to kill a provision that aims to tighten the state’s rules on when online retailers like Amazon.com must collect sales taxes. The vote could force … Continue reading →

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

Republicans admit that the Rainy Day fund has been spent

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure you’ve heard Rick Perry and other Republicans talk about how they’ve “balanced” the budget without tapping into the Rainy Day fund. I’m sure you’ll be surprised to hear that they’re lying. Republicans have given up any pretense that … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Eight, not five

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Parker says that initial estimates of how much the average homeowner would pay for the new drainage fee were understated. Mayor Annise Parker acknowledged Tuesday that her administration erred in telling voters that the average homeowner’s monthly Proposition 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Senate approves teacher furlough bill

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Another divisive bill, another party-line vote. Legislation allowing school districts to reduce teacher pay and furlough them — to help absorb big budget cuts — sailed through the Texas Senate on Monday with a straight party-line vote. Lawmakers are working … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Cottage Food Law was adopted

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I received the following email from Kelley Masters of the Texas Cottage Food Law group late last week: After a roller coaster of a session, the cottage food bill ended up getting attached as an amendment to SB 81 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Be careful who you pray with

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

From the “Lie down with dogs” department: Gov. Rick Perry, who has made economic populism the cornerstone of his political ambition in Texas, has jumped headfirst into America’s culture war as he ponders whether to run for president of the … Continue reading →

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