January 20, 2010
She makes a mistake, public humiliation is the only punishment; his lawyers make a mistake and he’s executed–that sounds fair.
Texas court rules that Judge Sharon Keller should not lose her job | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News
SAN ANTONIO – A report from the ethics trial of embattled Texas Judge Sharon Keller says she should not lose her job for closing her court before a death-row inmate could file a final appeal.
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But Berchelmann, who presided over Keller’s ethics trial in August, recommended that Keller receive no reprimand “beyond the public humiliation she has surely suffered.”
Posted in Sharon Keller 
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January 14, 2010
Is Refusing Bed Rest a Crime? – Motherlode Blog – NYTimes.com
Arguments are under way today in the First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee, Fla., in the case of Samantha Burton, who was confined to her bed by a judge earlier this year because she was at risk for a miscarriage.
This has got to be the worst of both worlds. The government is making your health care decision for you without any consultation but I’m willing to bet the poor woman still gets a bill from the health insurance company. Funny how this is not being used as an example of the dangers of health care reform. Could it be because opponents of health care reform are okay with the government making decisions for people that they agree with?
Posted in Health Care Reform No Comments »
December 29, 2009
Hutchison promises highway shakeup
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Tuesday offered a sweeping plan to overhaul transportation planning in Texas if she is elected governor, but stopped short of saying how she would pay for it.
My initial reaction was “of course she’s not going to say how she would pay for it” with a smirk on my face. But then I started thinking, can you imagine what would happen if she had actually said, “yes, I’m going to raise the gas tax by ten percent and make sure the all the money goes to transportation infrastructure.” How many people would get past the raising the gas taxes part?
People complain about politicians, pork, and special interests as if it has nothing to do with them personally. But it appears most of the electorate is interested only in hearing how the government will cut their taxes while making sure they get their share of pork. Everybody is against the stimulus package except for the part going to their region. They really don’t want to have to think about how we’re going to pay for our roads–they must believe in a tooth fairy for roads. So of course she isn’t going to say how she’s going to pay for it because that would assume a responsible, thinking, voting citizen shows up at the polls when it’s really just a “tax-payer” who wants to make sure he gets his “fair” share of government spending (not pork) and avoids paying for anything he doesn’t personally use (pork).
Posted in Kay Bailey Hutchinson, citizenship, transportation planning No Comments »
December 28, 2009
Miles-traveled tax being scrutinized
If you don’t like gasoline taxes, here’s an alternative: a tax on the number of miles you drive in a year.
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Delisi said the vehicle-miles-traveled tax idea is “controversial” but should be discussed because revenue from the state’s main source of transportation funding, the motor fuels tax, is declining. The gasoline tax hasn’t been raised since 1991.
If they through in something to account for vehicle weight, I think this idea has a lot of merit. Of course, making sure the money is spent where it’s supposed to will help the situation as well.
For those who argue that it will reduce the incentive to buy fuel efficient cars–you may not save on the tax but you’ll still save on the cost of gas which is still going to cost you more than the tax. Besides, are you saying all electric cars shouldn’t have to pay to help maintain the roads? Adding weight to the equation will help spread the cost more equitably based on who contributes the most to the wear and tear on the roads.
And as for how to do it? I can see there are some issues to be worked out. However, calculating mileage doesn’t seem to stand in the way taking IRS business deductions for mileage so I imagine we can work out the details.
Of course based on the comments on the article, this is just another nefarious government scheme designed to separate the hard-working, law-abiding citizen from his money. But none of them seem to have an answer as to how to maintain roads as more people use them while having to pay less in gas taxes. But with people like that, there is never a proposal that satisfies them because they know that someone, somewhere won’t be paying as much as them–the difference between a tax-payer and a citizen.
Miles traveled tax, Texas Transportation Commission, San Antonio Express News
Posted in Taxes, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas drivers No Comments »
December 27, 2009
Passions over ‘prosperity gospel’: Was Jesus wealthy? – CNN.com
They say that Jesus was never poor — and neither should his followers be. Their claim is embedded in the doctrine known as the prosperity gospel, which holds that God rewards the faithful with financial prosperity and spiritual gifts.
I’m sure it’s all part of the same conspiracy by liberals to make it look like Jesus would support progressive ideas.
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments »
December 26, 2009
Great column from Paul Krugman.
Op-Ed Columnist – Tidings of Comfort – NYTimes.com
Indulge me while I tell you a story — a near-future version of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” It begins with sad news: young Timothy Cratchit, a k a Tiny Tim, is sick. And his treatment will cost far more than his parents can pay out of pocket.
Fortunately, our story is set in 2014, and the Cratchits have health insurance. Not from their employer: Ebenezer Scrooge doesn’t do employee benefits. And just a few years earlier they wouldn’t have been able to buy insurance on their own because Tiny Tim has a pre-existing condition, and, anyway, the premiums would have been out of their reach.
But reform legislation enacted in 2010 banned insurance discrimination on the basis of medical history and also created a system of subsidies to help families pay for coverage. Even so, insurance doesn’t come cheap — but the Cratchits do have it, and they’re grateful. God bless us, everyone.
Posted in Uncategorized 2 Comments »
March 13, 2009
Perry says no to part of stimulus money | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Dallas Business News
Gov. Rick Perry, joining a handful of his fellow Southern Republican leaders, said Thursday that he was rejecting $556 million in federal stimulus money for unemployed Texans because it had too many strings attached.
Remember all those people who voted to prevent lawsuit abuse and then were surprised when it applied to their "legitimate" lawsuits? What do you think they're going to say when they're laid off?
NCCP | Texas: Unemployment Insurance
Participants
Number of recipients
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Number of first payments9
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297,478 first payments (2006)
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Benefit coverage
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Recipiency rate10
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19% (2006)
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Spending
Total spending
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Total spending on benefits (state)11
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$1,106.1 million (2006)
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Spending per recipient
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Average weekly benefit11
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$271/week (2006)
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Average total benefit12
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$3,718/benefit year (2006)
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Replacement rate13
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34.2% (2006)
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Posted in Perry 6 Comments »
January 12, 2009
It’s Monday, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance’s weekly blog round up. Each week’s round-up is compiled based on submissions made by member bloggers.
Read the rest of this entry »
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December 30, 2008
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind…and, if you remember the rest of the song, you’re doing one better than we are. At any rate, it is the last Monday of the year and that means it is time for the Texas Progressive Alliance’s End-Of-Year Round-Up For 2008.
2008 was a heck of a year for Texas Progressives. The Presidential Primary came to Texas (for real), we caucused, conventioned, challenged, credentialed, voted, elected, counted, re-counted, brought Netroots Nation to Texas, watched Tom Craddick fight for his life, said farewell to legends, got a head start to on the race to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison and more. A lot more.
It is in that spirit that we bring you the final round-up of 2008. Enjoy.
jobsanger has posted on a variety of subjects, including the popularity of George Bush in 11% Of Americans Are IDIOTS, the Ku Klux Klan in The Klan Is Still Stupid, a plan to steal water from the Panhandle in The Coming Rape Of The Ogallala Aquifer, the fall of a county sheriff in Potter County Sheriff Indicted On Felony Charges and Potter County Sheriff Convicted, and the 2010 governor’s race in Who’s The Dem In 2010 Governor Race?
John Coby at Bay Area Houston has blogged on a number of issues concerning Bob Perry’s home building industry, the Texas Ethics Commission, insurance deregulation, electricity deregulation, and including some humorous posts. One of his favorites series is Spending Campaign Cash which has resulted in a number of stories in the news and contributed to a bill to be filed by State Representative Senfronia Thompson.
South Texas Chisme covered such entertaining South Texas stories from the original
DA Hissy Fit to his poor imitation, various ethics problems including a
few felonies to helping Republicans recover and Democrats to prosper. And, we
never forget about that Republican monument to racism and fear otherwise known as that d*mn fence!
As he approaches his seventh anniversary as a blogger, Off the Kuff decided to look forward rather than back on the year. My thanks to my TPA colleagues for all they do, and my best wishes to all for a great 2009.
The Texas Cloverleaf looks back on 2008, as it’s first full year on the blog scene comes to a close. The DNC kicked off the year by picking the Jewish named donkey over the black one for it’s mascot, in what would become the ultimate irony of the political season. Adding to ironies, cash strapped TxDOT gave away $20 million for a Dallas park. We were introduced to GOP family values: 16 US Senators, including our own from Texas, voted against funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, leading to more deaths, and the Palin clan popped out more replacements as part of God’s will. Don’t forget to carve the backwards B on your face for posterity. 2008 was a whirlwind and couldn’t have been more dramatic. Here is to a 2009 with the same kind of flair!
Neil at Texas Liberal wishes everyone good luck in the New Year. Here is my post on controversy regarding what may or may not be the world’s largest potato. Please visit Texas Liberal in 2009. I work hard to make the blog worth reading.
As 2008 comes to a close, circumstances have limited Refinish69’s access to his own blog, Doing My Part For the Left. He’s nonetheless written a compelling series hosted on various national and local blogs that shares what it is to be homeless in Austin. Homeless in Austin-An Insider’s View is a four part series so far and Refinish69 wants to thank all those who’ve helped him get this story more attention. Part 1 at Momocrats. Parts 2, 3, and 4 at Texas Kaos.
Texas Kaos frontpagers have covered a wide variety of issues both national and Texan. Krazypuppy wrote a cautionary tale of how far Republican hubris can go inAll Southerner’s Should Know Don Siegalman’s False Imprisonment Story” Refinish69 shared one man’s story of unexpected impact of the historic Democratic extended primary in A Trip to the Gas Station: No it’s not a Curious George book Lightseeker reported on the convention for SD 15 and the contrast between previous years. He also gave great pointers on political discourse with the neighbors. SCCS did a series on the congressional races all over Texas, and was our correspondent in the Big Tent at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Txsharon’s contributions keeping us abreast of what Big Dirty Oil and Gas are up to are so valuable it’s hard to pick only a few, but proving that a picture is worth a thousand words, Barnett Shale Sludge Pond Pictures is a must see (and read).
BossKitty at TruthHugger sees no other options … Retirement or Exile, Show Bush The Exit.
At Eye On Williamson this year the election took up much of our time on the blog. From candidate filings, to the massive turnout for the Williamson County Democratic Party primary and convention, all the way through to electing the first Democratic state representative in Williamson County since 1992 – Diana Maldonado. There were still the same local issues popping up like road projects that are bad deals for the taxpayers, the county landfill, and the T. Don Hutto family prison in Taylor.
It’s been a year of excitement at McBlogger. We’ve looked deeply at medical tourism and James Dobson’s fear of homos. We’ve also, occasionally, talked about the meltdown in the financial sector. And Mr. The Plumber.
WhosPlayin shared his experience working the Democratic Primary and then the Denton County Democratic Convention back in March. In May, the Earth
opened up and swallowed part of Daisetta, TX. In September, WhosPlayin suggested how a financial industry bailout could work and be transparent. Over the Christmas holiday, WhosPlayin rolled out a new Congressional Campaign Finance research website.
Over at Capitol Annex, Vince Leibowitz had a difficult time trying to select his favorites out of 2,470 posts published (so far) during 2008, but finally settled on a few. After a long PrimaCaucus season and hair-raising state convention, he posted some Random Thoughts on the 2008 TDP Convention. As the election cycle went on, he pondered why anyone would want to re-elect State Rep. John Davis (R-Clear Lake), and told the world about a racist mailer that had been sent out against State Rep. Allen Vaught. After the election season, he memorialized “The People’s Lawyer,” Jim Mattox, and noted that Tom DeLay’s wife was trying to quash a subpoena in a civil lawsuit related to the now-defunct Americans for a Republican Majority.
Mean Rachel started off 2008 with An Open Letter to Whom She Was in 2007, and proceeded to write open letters to just about everyone, including Mark Strama and Elliot Elliott Naishtat. She met Barack Obama, got Obama license plates, and subsequently had her tires slashed because of them. She also wrote for the Texas Observer in Denver and daydreamed about Republican pornography. Finally, in June, Mean Rachel asked for serenity now, and wondered if Americans would ever have the wisdom to change. By November, she had her answer.
Posted in TPA roundup No Comments »
December 20, 2008
Sculley pact largely went unread by the council
None of the nine who supported it had seen the contract when the council members voted, although most said Mayor Phil Hardberger gave them a full briefing and a one-page sheet outlining the contract’s key provisions in one-on-one meetings they had.
I think this is just too funny. And not just that the council members apparently hadn’t read the contract but peoples’ reactions. Take a browse through the comments sections online for the story. Recall! Throw the bums out! Or the best, I would lose my job if I signed a contract without reading it!
Get real people. Our council members are part-time at best. We pay them just a little more than $1000 a year. Would you even be working at a job that would let you be responsible for reading a contract at that pay? As for voting them out, isn’t that what term limits are for? Never mind that they also keep council members from accumulating experience (at their own expense) on what issues they really need to watch out for. I’m willing to bet that 90 percent of the people who posted on the story avoid jury duty because they don’t get paid enough to make up for lost wages.
Oh, but this is different, these people knew what they were getting into. Yup. Two, two year terms, hope you have a decent assistant to keep on top of things, and maybe you’ll make the connections to get a job that actually pays in politics. I don’t think even ministers take a vow of poverty but we expect that from our council members for the privilege of serving us. And then we don’t trust them because since we aren’t paying them any money they must being getting something on the side. You’re allowed to make a living doing what you love as long as it’s not a San Antonio City Council member.
Sheryl Sculley, Phil Hardberger, San Antonio, City Council, San Antonio City Manager
Posted in City Council, City Council Pay, Hardberger, San Antonio, Sculley 1 Comment »
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