Tag Archives: immigration

The sanctuary scam

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been thinking about Governor Perry’s designation of so-called “sanctuary cities” as an emergency item for this legislative session, and there are a few inescapable conclusions. 1. Perry is a big flaming hypocrite. I know, I know, big shock. But … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Time for a change in Farmers Branch

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Good riddance. Farmers Branch Mayor Tim O’Hare announced this morning that he will not seek re-election in this suburb that gained national fame for its stance on illegal immigration. […] O’Hare did not endorse any candidates for mayor but attending … Continue reading →

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A few thoughts from Opening Day

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Just a few random bits from today’s festivities… – In the end and despite the teabagger footstomping, the Speaker’s Race turned out to be a big nothingburger, which was what most rational people expected all along. There were a few … Continue reading →

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Sheriffs not sold on Arizona immigration bill

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Texas’ sheriffs are not very enthusiastic about being charged with enforcing federal immigration laws. Texas has 254 sheriffs, and while opinions vary about whether illegal immigration should be their problem, some Republicans are pushing measures that won’t give them a … Continue reading →

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TPA announces its Texan of the Year for 2010

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

While this was a pretty lousy year for progressive politics in terms of election results, it was in many ways a great year for progressive achievements, from the passage of the Affordable Care Act to the repeal of Don’t Ask … Continue reading →

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Killing the DREAM in Texas

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Something else to look forward to. State Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington) has filed legislation that would abolish Texas law granting in-state tuition to certain undocumented college students. The 2001 law, written by then-state Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston), was a precursor to … Continue reading →

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Don’t fall for it, Mr. President

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I have two things to say about this. Congressional Republicans are pronouncing President Obama’s proposal that the next Congress overhaul the country’s immigration laws as dead before arrival. In his year-end news conference Wednesday, Obama said his biggest regret about … Continue reading →

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What now for the DREAM Act?

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It may take awhile, but the DREAM Act will be back, and it will pass. The Senate vote Saturday to toss the proposal that would have granted young illegal immigrants a route to legal status dealt a harsh blow to … Continue reading →

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DADT repeal passes, DREAM Act fails

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Some history was made yesterday. The Senate took a big step toward ending the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers today. By a vote of 63 to 33, the Senate voted to end debate on a bill repealing the military’s … Continue reading →

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DREAM Act to be voted on in the Senate today

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s the day. Clergy from San Antonio and elsewhere in Texas vowed Thursday to continue pushing for passage of the DREAM Act, despite getting what they characterized as unclear responses from the staff of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and … Continue reading →

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Still DREAMing

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The good news is that the DREAM Act passed the House last week. The bad news is that means it had to go to the Senate, where good bills go to die these days. At this point, it may not … Continue reading →

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What will KBH do about the DREAM Act?

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t think there’s any question what she’ll do, but these stories get written anyway. Hutchison, R-Dallas, who has supported similar legislation in the past, is one of a half-dozen Republican lawmakers targeted by Democrats, Latino groups and organized labor, … Continue reading →

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DREAM drama

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In theory, there will be a vote in the Senate on the DREAM Act during the lame duck session. I don’t have a whole lot of faith that the usual Republican intransigence can be overcome, but it’s well worth the … Continue reading →

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How anti-immigrant is this session going to be?

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

It will likely be very strongly anti-immigrant. It’s really just a question of how far the Republicans pushing this will go. The Democrats can’t stop them – I’m not expecting the Senate’s two thirds rule to be much of an … Continue reading →

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The anti-immigrant hysteria has officially begun

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Didn’t take long. State Rep. Debbie Riddle camped out and endured “creepy” noises inside the cold, empty Capitol to be first in line Monday morning to file legislation targeting illegal immigration and ballot security. The Tomball Republican said she remained … Continue reading →

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Beyond today

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m having a hard time right now thinking about anything past last night, but here’s a Trib story from Sunday that takes a look ahead to the legislative and other battles that will follow. I think you can take some … Continue reading →

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Tomball declines to be like Farmers Branch

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m stunned. Pleased, but stunned. The Tomball City Council late Tuesday defeated a proposal to make English the city’s official language and voted down another measure seeking to prohibit illegal immigrants from renting or owning property or owning or operating … Continue reading →

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This ain’t your daddy’s Plano any more

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Demographic change comes to Texas’ iconic suburb. Recent controversy over whether and where to build a large homeless housing complex is the latest evidence of Plano’s two faces. The nonprofit Samaritan Inn of McKinney last week withdrew a zoning request … Continue reading →

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More proof of my theory

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

That would be my theory that fifty or sixty years ago, a number of terror cells infiltrated the US and impregnated a bunch of women with babies who were groomed from birth to become utter morons who would destroy the … Continue reading →

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No, they won’t “cross swords” over this

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

A few days back, I blogged about how immigration reform is supposedly going to be a wedge issue for the GOP because evangelicals and business types support it. I took issue with a statement by Bill Hammond, the president of … Continue reading →

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The immigration wedge issue for the GOP

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this story. Evangelical ministers in Texas and across the nation are splitting off from the hard right, declaring immigration reform is needed that includes a path to citizenship without first deporting millions of … Continue reading →

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You think there might be a connection there?

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In the middle of this Trib story about the Driver Responsibility Program and the Lege’s efforts to reform it comes a reminder about the relationship between federal and state legislation. Denise Rose, senior director of government relations at the Texas … Continue reading →

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In case you need a reminder to vote this November

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

What we have to look forward to in Austin next year if nothing changes. Legislators next year will face severe budget problems, divisive redistricting, school funding troubles and reviews of major state agencies, including the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality … Continue reading →

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So you say you’re concerned about the effect of undocumented immigration on employment

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s your chance to do something about it. There are two issues facing our nation–high unemployment and undocumented people in the workforce–that many Americans believe are related. Missing from the debate on both issues is an honest recognition that the … Continue reading →

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Wasting our youth

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is just wrong. Thousands of high school graduates like Juan are discovering the dichotomy between a federal law that ensures their education and one that prevents them from using it. “I never saw myself as an immigrant,” said Juan, … Continue reading →

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Berman to challenge Straus

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t say I’ve been thrilled with Joe Straus as Speaker of the House. He’s worlds better than Tom Craddick was, which still isn’t saying that much, but he hasn’t been all that friendly to his largely Democratic group of … Continue reading →

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Man the barricades!

Posted on June 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Wayne Slater, on the just-ended state Republican convention in Dallas: For a party in power, there seem to be a lot of martyrs in the Texas GOP. Rush Limbaugh says Democrats are the party of victims. But it was the … Continue reading →

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The chiefs talk about Arizona

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

HPD Chief Charles McClelland was one of several police chiefs to go to Washington and talk with Attorney General Eric Holder about why Arizona’s immigration law would be harmful to them, and why the federal government needs to finish the … Continue reading →

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Targeting Frito-Lay

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve talked about sporting events like the 2011 MLB All Star Game that are currently scheduled to be held in Arizona and of various ways that people who have some involvement with them have spoken out about Arizona’s “Show me … Continue reading →

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The 287(g) committee

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Sheriff Adrian Garcia has formed a citizens advisory panel on how to screen for undocumented immigrants in the jails. The advisory committee will not debate whether to continue the screening program, Garcia said. It will suggest ways he can improve … Continue reading →

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Briefly noted

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Some interesting things from today that I wanted to note… There are plenty of people who want to be on the Appropriations Committee, so putting some who doesn’t want to be there, like State Rep. Joe Driver of Dallas, doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Selig avoids All Star Game issue

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We always knew he was a weenie. With a lengthy non-answer, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday gave no indication he would move the 2011 All-Star Game from Phoenix in response to Arizona’s immigration law, saying MLB has … Continue reading →

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Austin divests itself from Arizona

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Good for them. The Austin City Council decided Thursday to end business and travel ties with the state of Arizona to protest a new state law that will allow law enforcement officers there to detain people they suspect are in … Continue reading →

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Who can get health care in Williamson County

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is a bad idea. Williamson County commissioners have decided to stop paying health care costs for indigent adults and children who don’t have valid Social Security cards. County Judge Dan A. Gattis said last week that he wanted to … Continue reading →

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