Monthly Archives: May 2012

Senate slap fight

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Hilarious. The quiet race to be the next lieutenant governor of Texas spilled into a nasty email exchange between two senators with aspirations for that post. In an email apparently sent to all of his Senate colleagues — and obtained … Continue reading →

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

The B-Cycle era begins

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At long last, Houston’s B-Cycle program officially kicked off last week. Mayor Annise Parker, an occasional bicyclist, called the federally-funded program “a quick, easy alternative to being stuck in traffic or walking long distances in downtown.” She said the bicycles … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Interview with Domingo Garcia

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

My last interview for this primary cycle is with another one of the leading contenders in the crowded CD33 primary, Domingo Garcia. Garcia is an attorney and activist who served for eight years on the Democratic National Committee beginning in … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Complaining about the public defender office

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

At least one judge doesn’t like the new Harris County Public Defenders office. “In short there is no evidence that a public defender’s office can be of any benefit to the Harris County Juvenile Justice system,” state District Judge John … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Fertitta and Lykos

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes its endorsements in the two primary races for District Attorney. On the Democratic side, they make the easy and obvious call for Zack Fertitta. Zack Fertitta represents a new generation at the Harris County courthouse, and deserves … Continue reading →

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Will SOPA sink Smith?

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Probably not, but I sure don’t mind seeing his opponents use it against him. Republican long-shot candidates are citing high-tech discontent over Rep. Lamar Smith’s proposed government regulation of the Internet in an attempt to knock off the 13-term incumbent … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for May 6

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Only 25 more shopping days until hurricane season begins. I overshare, you overshare, we overshare. I can buy Pudge Rodriguez as one of the five best catchers in baseball history. But surely we know better than to use batting average … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

30 day financial reports, Harris County offices

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Candidates for county offices who are in contested primaries are also required to submit 30 day campaign finance reports. I’ve been going through the County Clerk’s campaign finance reports page to collect what’s there; ones for Democratic races are on … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ours aren’t the only primaries being delayed

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Americans Elect has postponed theirs, but in their case litigation had nothing to do with it. The deadline for candidate ‘support clicks’ at Americans Elect Corporation was midnight last night (May 1), according to both its official Pre-Election Convention Rules and their online … Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Check your DNS

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Your computer may be infected with a virus that will cause it to lose connectivity to the Internet in July. For computer users, a few mouse clicks could mean the difference between staying online and losing Internet connections this summer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Saturday video break: The Passenger

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Song #70 on the Popdose Top 100 Covers list is “The Passenger”, by Iggy Pop and covered by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Here’s the original: I was never into the punk/new wave scene in the 80s, so I’m largely unfamiliar with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Endorsement watch: Sheriffs

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron endorses Sheriff Adrian Garcia for renomination. When the incumbent took over four years ago, he faced a particularly daunting job. The sheriff’s office had been plagued by a series of controversies ranging from federal investigation of prisoner deaths … Continue reading →

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“Crazy” ants come to Austin

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

They’re on the move. There’s a new ant in town, and wherever it goes, fire ants start disappearing. It also doesn’t sting or bite. But don’t get excited yet. The Rasberry crazy ant which showed up in Travis County and … Continue reading →

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Texas State to the Sun Belt

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The conference carousel is still spinning. The Sun Belt said Wednesday that Texas State will join the league in July 2013 and begin conference play for the 2013-14 academic year. Texas State is going into its first season at the … Continue reading →

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Fifth Circuit lifts its stay of Planned Parenthood injunction

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Whiplash alert! U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel on Monday granted a preliminary injunction sought by Planned Parenthood in the case, saying the state couldn’t bar the group until the lawsuit is decided. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott quickly sought a stay … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Friday random ten: Workin’ in the asteroid mines

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Didn’t I read something the other day about mining asteroids? Well, here are ten suggestions for that new venture’s corporate theme song. 1. Space Oddity – David Bowie 2. Space Truckin’ – Deep Purple 3. Outer Space – Ace Frehley … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

United’s study predicts doom and disaster if Hobby expands

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Well, what did you expect it to say? Expanding Hobby Airport to allow for international flights will cost the Houston area 3,700 jobs and $295 million in economic activity, according to a study released by United Airlines Thursday afternoon. United’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

TAB joins school finance litigation

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

But not as a force for good. The Texas Association of Business announced today that it will join a school finance lawsuit against the state, demanding a study of Texas school system efficiency. “The Constitution of Texas calls for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Constables and eviction notices

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

This is just wrong. With the help of their taxpayer-funded offices, five Harris County constables have been using a little-known eviction fee to add thousands of dollars a year to their base $120,000 annual salaries. State law allows a constable … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Salvaging the Dome

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s one way to keep demolition costs down. Picture a urinal in the basement of the Reliant Astrodome — a block of dusty porcelain, used by Earl Campbell or Nolan Ryan, or any other Oilers or Astros great. How much … Continue reading →

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Lemonade Day

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time for Lemonade Day again this Sunday. As was the case last year, Olivia will be running a stand. If you’re friends with me on Facebook you can click on my page for details. Olivia will also be helping … Continue reading →

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

30 day reports, Harris County candidates for state office

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

We’re now 26 days out from the May 29 primary, which means more campaign finance reports from candidates for state and county offices who are in contested primaries. I’m going to post about all of these, starting today with reports … Continue reading →

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Signs of life at Regent Square?

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

From Swamplot: HERE’S A LATE addition to the demolition of the Allen House Apartments, the first portions of which went down in 2007, in anticipation of the giant Regent Square mixed-use developmentin North Montrose that never happened — or rather, hasn’t yet.The smashing of one Allen … Continue reading →

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

On food in the classroom

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Bettina has had enough. See here and here for the context. I hate to go “back in my day” on you again, but I cannot recall a single time in my school days when we had any kind of food, … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of April 30

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is slow jamming this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Ronnie McDonald

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

One of the more interesting candidates in a race that isn’t currently considered top tier is Ronnie McDonald, who is running in the redrawn CD27 against first term Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold. McDonald has been a trailblazer for much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hobby expansion, for and neutral

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron had an interesting point/not-quite-counterpoint about the Hobby expansion proposal on its Sunday op-ed pages. The pro-Hobby expansion piece by Ed Wulfe was mostly rah-rah stuff and didn’t bring anything new to the debate. The other piece, by Darren … Continue reading →

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Going green to save some green

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The city of Houston has made significant investments in energy savings. The U.S. Conference of Mayors named Mayor Annise Parker the winner of Mayors’ Climate Protection Award last year for green building initiatives that incentivize conservation and energy-efficient design features. … Continue reading →

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

UTSA to C-USA

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

According to reports. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source confirmed that the Roadrunners would be among a group of schools joining C-USA. The same source said UTSA had also received invitations from the Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences. … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Texas gets stay of injunction

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

And just like that, we’re back where we started. Late last night, a federal appeals court judge granted Texas an emergency stay halting Planned Parenthood’s participation in the Women’s Health Program. Justice Jerry Smith of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court … Continue reading →

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Interview with Sylvia Romo

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

One of the most closely watched Congressional primaries this cycle will be in the new CD35, the district to which Rep. Lloyd Doggett moved after redistricting and the second interim map made his CD25 hostile territory. In this Austin-to-San Antonio … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Democrats have a DA race, too

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

For which the Chron has an overview. A political newcomer with a famous family name, Houston attorney Zack Fertitta, 36, hopes to succeed Lykos – if, that is, he gets past a perennial candidate in the Democratic primary and if … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Injunction granted to Planned Parenthood

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A federal judge on Monday stopped Texas from preventing Planned Parenthood from getting state funds through the Women’s Health Program. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin ruled there is sufficient evidence that a law banning Planned Parenthood from … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Endorsement watch: Sullivan for Tax Assessor

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron made its first primary endorsement on Friday, and I just now noticed. The [Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office] is, or should be, the quintessential service department – run with the customer’s satisfaction uppermost in mind. For almost half … Continue reading →

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