Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Rick Perry's Marie Antoinette Moment!
On Thursday, March 12, Governor Rick Perry said he would reject about $555 million from the federal government for expanded aid to unemployed Texans.
Perry has been all over the map about whether or not he will accept federal dollars as part of the economic stimulus plan.
The money in question would extend benefits for Texans who have been laid off during the economic downturn.
Perry did agree to accept $17 billion from the proposed plan he says will go to other purposes. You might read that as "toll roads!" ...To be operated by private companies, a really lousy idea!
By rejecting the $555 million targeted for unemployed workers Perry said he is protecting employers from higher taxes.
"Employers who have to pay more taxes have less money to make their payroll" said Perry. He said this would cause higher taxes and businesses would have to raise prices on their products, Perry told a news conference. "The calls to take the (stimulus) money and sort out the consequences later are quite troubling to me."
That's vintage Perry, all his concern is for employers, mainly big time corporate employers, and zero concern for those who have lost their jobs.
This is a heck of a legacy to carry into his reelection campaign. It seems likely Perry wont get much support from the workers who have lost their jobs and whose unemployment runs out!
Just to make matters worse Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken has warned that the state's unemployment compensation trust fund could be operating at a deficit by October and could fall into insolvency in the future. In light of this Perry still wants to turn down the money.
Perry, expecting a strong challenge from Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for the gubernatorial nomination in the
Republican Party, is attempting to move to the right of Hutchison and to reinforce his conservative creds.
It will be interesting to see how it all works out but in the mean time Perry is using working and recently laid off Texans as pawns in his political game.
On Thursday, March 12, Governor Rick Perry said he would reject about $555 million from the federal government for expanded aid to unemployed Texans.
Perry has been all over the map about whether or not he will accept federal dollars as part of the economic stimulus plan.
The money in question would extend benefits for Texans who have been laid off during the economic downturn.
Perry did agree to accept $17 billion from the proposed plan he says will go to other purposes. You might read that as "toll roads!" ...To be operated by private companies, a really lousy idea!
By rejecting the $555 million targeted for unemployed workers Perry said he is protecting employers from higher taxes.
"Employers who have to pay more taxes have less money to make their payroll" said Perry. He said this would cause higher taxes and businesses would have to raise prices on their products, Perry told a news conference. "The calls to take the (stimulus) money and sort out the consequences later are quite troubling to me."
That's vintage Perry, all his concern is for employers, mainly big time corporate employers, and zero concern for those who have lost their jobs.
This is a heck of a legacy to carry into his reelection campaign. It seems likely Perry wont get much support from the workers who have lost their jobs and whose unemployment runs out!
Just to make matters worse Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken has warned that the state's unemployment compensation trust fund could be operating at a deficit by October and could fall into insolvency in the future. In light of this Perry still wants to turn down the money.
Perry, expecting a strong challenge from Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for the gubernatorial nomination in the
Republican Party, is attempting to move to the right of Hutchison and to reinforce his conservative creds.
It will be interesting to see how it all works out but in the mean time Perry is using working and recently laid off Texans as pawns in his political game.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Rick Perry Waffles On Bail Out Money
Texas Guv Rick Perry was one of the right wing governors who recently indicated they didn't want any Federal bail out money. Citing his "conservative principles" he voiced his opposition to some of President Obama's programs to send money to the states. Firmly standing on his convictions Perry said he wouldn't take that money.
But that was a bluff and he quickly folded and grudgingly accepted the Federal cash.
He will, for the first time, face stiff opposition in the Republican primary since Kay Bailey Hutchison, the current senior U.S. Senator from Texas, has announced her intent to run for the Republican nomination for Governor.
His campaign might be in serious trouble if he had turned down the offered $313 billion in road and bridge repair money. He may still be in trouble as he has indicated he might put most of that into projects to build toll roads in Texas. There is little support for toll roads in Texas.
As usual Governor Perry is always looking out for the big money and shows little concern for those in Texas struggling to make ends meet in this current economy.
Texas Guv Rick Perry was one of the right wing governors who recently indicated they didn't want any Federal bail out money. Citing his "conservative principles" he voiced his opposition to some of President Obama's programs to send money to the states. Firmly standing on his convictions Perry said he wouldn't take that money.
But that was a bluff and he quickly folded and grudgingly accepted the Federal cash.
He will, for the first time, face stiff opposition in the Republican primary since Kay Bailey Hutchison, the current senior U.S. Senator from Texas, has announced her intent to run for the Republican nomination for Governor.
His campaign might be in serious trouble if he had turned down the offered $313 billion in road and bridge repair money. He may still be in trouble as he has indicated he might put most of that into projects to build toll roads in Texas. There is little support for toll roads in Texas.
As usual Governor Perry is always looking out for the big money and shows little concern for those in Texas struggling to make ends meet in this current economy.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Padre Island Bathhouse A Disaster
The much vaunted bath house on Padre Island has been closed for some time now. It seems it is falling apart and will be very expensive to repair, or more likely, to replace.
This is just another example of the squandering of tax money by our local elected officials. Folks who have been here for any length of time know that the Island always wins when it comes to the battle to maintain beachfront structures.
This gaudy bathhouse, which opened in 2002, cost about a million bucks to build.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Chuck Cazalas has an office in the building. It seems that Commissioner Cazalas, and the other commissioners, have really let down their constituents by failing to monitor and proceed with upkeep on the building which may be too far damaged to rebuild.
According to news reports a leaky water pipe caused the floors to rot out to the point of collapse. That seems to be something that could have been prevented with just a modicum of maintenance.
The commissioners set aside some $240,000, taken from bond money, to put toward repairs. This may be a woefully inadequate amount.The bath house demonstrates a lack of responsibility for the proper use of public money.
The much vaunted bath house on Padre Island has been closed for some time now. It seems it is falling apart and will be very expensive to repair, or more likely, to replace.
This is just another example of the squandering of tax money by our local elected officials. Folks who have been here for any length of time know that the Island always wins when it comes to the battle to maintain beachfront structures.
This gaudy bathhouse, which opened in 2002, cost about a million bucks to build.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Chuck Cazalas has an office in the building. It seems that Commissioner Cazalas, and the other commissioners, have really let down their constituents by failing to monitor and proceed with upkeep on the building which may be too far damaged to rebuild.
According to news reports a leaky water pipe caused the floors to rot out to the point of collapse. That seems to be something that could have been prevented with just a modicum of maintenance.
The commissioners set aside some $240,000, taken from bond money, to put toward repairs. This may be a woefully inadequate amount.The bath house demonstrates a lack of responsibility for the proper use of public money.
American Bank Center, Biggest Local White Elephant?
The American Bank Center was touted as being an economic engine for the area. It has done so to a degree by booking many popular shows and events which have helped contribute to the local economy. This has come at a price however. According to news reports the city has lost $11.1 million since 2004. And the losses climb each month. This is a losing proposition for the city.
This just reinforces the notion that the city just can't get anything right!
The American Bank Center was touted as being an economic engine for the area. It has done so to a degree by booking many popular shows and events which have helped contribute to the local economy. This has come at a price however. According to news reports the city has lost $11.1 million since 2004. And the losses climb each month. This is a losing proposition for the city.
This just reinforces the notion that the city just can't get anything right!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Effects Of Las Brisas
It is ironic that the day after the Corpus Christi city council refused to support reconsidering the Las Brisas project President Obama was speaking to the Parliament in Canada and telling them that the United States would engage them in ways to address pollution within the borders of the two countries.
The Las Brisas project will, among other pollutants, release large amounts of SO 2 which is a key ingredient in causing acid rain which affects Canada and the U.S. but falls disproportionately in Canada.
It is ironic that the day after the Corpus Christi city council refused to support reconsidering the Las Brisas project President Obama was speaking to the Parliament in Canada and telling them that the United States would engage them in ways to address pollution within the borders of the two countries.
The Las Brisas project will, among other pollutants, release large amounts of SO 2 which is a key ingredient in causing acid rain which affects Canada and the U.S. but falls disproportionately in Canada.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Richard Borchard Regional Fairgrounds; Built It...They Don't Come!
The Richard Borchard Regional Fairgrounds is a money pit. It is losing tons of money. It was overly expensive to build and it is located in Robstown which is even more remote and out of the way than is Corpus Christi. Now County Commisioners Oscar Ortiz and Betty Jean Longoria are throwing a snit fit because the County Court voted down even more unneeded expansion in the form of an arena. Just what we need, another arena in this area, paid for by taxpayers, which will lose even more money!
The Richard Borchard Regional Fairgrounds is a money pit. It is losing tons of money. It was overly expensive to build and it is located in Robstown which is even more remote and out of the way than is Corpus Christi. Now County Commisioners Oscar Ortiz and Betty Jean Longoria are throwing a snit fit because the County Court voted down even more unneeded expansion in the form of an arena. Just what we need, another arena in this area, paid for by taxpayers, which will lose even more money!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Term Limits Proposal Is A Loser!
Term limits is an infringement on voter’s rights and unfairly inhibits an individual’s right to run for an office.
A voter should have the right to vote for the person he or she thinks most qualified, period. There should be no such arbitrary restriction placed on office holders.
Term limits is a copout. The concept is undemocratic. It’s a kind of supposed easy fix for what some perceive to be the problems with elected officials. The notion of term limits says that voters are not smart enough or able to vote good candidates into office so we should have a steady changing of individuals regularly in order to be rid of these scoundrels which we, somehow, elected into office! One argument often heard about long serving elected officials is that they become corrupted with too long a time in their position. This is wrong, if a person of incorruptible character is elected they will remain uncorrupted.
Term limits proponents say it is difficult to defeat incumbents. Perhaps, but incumbents often lose elections, it depends on the record of the incumbent and the case made by a challenger. If the incumbent is popular with the voters or is doing a good job it should be difficult to unseat them.
The notion that a revolving door for office holders will somehow give us better government is plain wrong. Indeed the opposite may be true and it could become difficult to find people to run if, in the end, they know they are only going to be in office for a limited time.
This current proposal would limit the mayor and council members to eight years of service period, and would combine years served as council member and mayor. In other words if someone spent four years on the council that person would be limited to four years as mayor should they be elected to that position. This is extremely illogical and restrictive. This places an unfair constraint on the office holders and the voters.
The voters already have the power to limit terms at the ballot box.
It is the duty of the voters to do their due diligence when selecting office holders. It is also the duty of the voters to closely observe the representation they receive and be ready to elect a new office holder should the current one be found wanting. The responsibility for the honest and effective administration of government lies with the voters. They should actively pursue and jealously guard this prerogative.
Term limits is an infringement on voter’s rights and unfairly inhibits an individual’s right to run for an office.
A voter should have the right to vote for the person he or she thinks most qualified, period. There should be no such arbitrary restriction placed on office holders.
Term limits is a copout. The concept is undemocratic. It’s a kind of supposed easy fix for what some perceive to be the problems with elected officials. The notion of term limits says that voters are not smart enough or able to vote good candidates into office so we should have a steady changing of individuals regularly in order to be rid of these scoundrels which we, somehow, elected into office! One argument often heard about long serving elected officials is that they become corrupted with too long a time in their position. This is wrong, if a person of incorruptible character is elected they will remain uncorrupted.
Term limits proponents say it is difficult to defeat incumbents. Perhaps, but incumbents often lose elections, it depends on the record of the incumbent and the case made by a challenger. If the incumbent is popular with the voters or is doing a good job it should be difficult to unseat them.
The notion that a revolving door for office holders will somehow give us better government is plain wrong. Indeed the opposite may be true and it could become difficult to find people to run if, in the end, they know they are only going to be in office for a limited time.
This current proposal would limit the mayor and council members to eight years of service period, and would combine years served as council member and mayor. In other words if someone spent four years on the council that person would be limited to four years as mayor should they be elected to that position. This is extremely illogical and restrictive. This places an unfair constraint on the office holders and the voters.
The voters already have the power to limit terms at the ballot box.
It is the duty of the voters to do their due diligence when selecting office holders. It is also the duty of the voters to closely observe the representation they receive and be ready to elect a new office holder should the current one be found wanting. The responsibility for the honest and effective administration of government lies with the voters. They should actively pursue and jealously guard this prerogative.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Texas Speaker of the House Tom Craddick To Step Down
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Tom Craddick has said he would not run for the office in the new session of the state legislature. If there is one thing he can do it is count votes and they just aint there for him now! This is good news for Texas. Craddick's rule as the most powerful politician in the state has been arrogant, autocratic and straight from the playbooks of such disgraced Republicans as Tom Delay, Karl Rove and Dick Cheney.
Below is an article from AP about the situation. (The layout is a bit screwed up for reasons I just don't quite understand. It's my computer or Blogger, I just don't know.)
Texas House speaker said to throw in the towel
By APRIL CASTRO and JAY ROOT – 2 days ago
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, the longest serving Republican in state elective office, has apparently given up his hard-fought bid for a fourth term in the post, leaving the door open for a rival Republican who is a relative newcomer.
Craddick aides and allies said Sunday the Midland oilman, the first Republican to lead the House since the Civil War era, told his supporters that he did not have enough votes among his fellow members to remain in the powerful job.
"I talked to the speaker. He has dropped his candidacy and released his pledges," Rep. Will Hartnett, a longtime Craddick supporter, said Sunday. "He just decided it was getting too tight."
Craddick's dwindling support became insurmountable as Rep. Joe Straus, gained
strength. Shortly before word of Craddick's surrender spread, Straus, R-San Antonio,
released a list of 85 pledges of support, more than enough to win the election on Jan. 13.
"It is time for a new tone and an atmosphere of trust in the Texas House of
Representatives," Straus said, upon announcing that he had secured enough support to
win the race. "Having received the commitment of a strong majority of my colleagues, it is my goal to restore civility, fairness and transparency to the House of Representatives and its public-policy making process."
Republicans hold a 76-74 majority in the House. The narrow partisan split and divided GOP loyalties mean House Democrats will play a decisive role. All but four House Democrats endorsed Straus.
Most Republicans threw their support behind veteran Amarillo Republican Rep. John
Smithee, who entered the race Sunday.
"We're going to need a little bit of help from a higher power and that's where we're
looking," Smithee said after members of the Republican caucus meeting Sunday night
voted to support him.
At a downtown Austin steakhouse, where Craddick addressed the House Republican
caucus, Craddick rushed through a throng of reporters to get into the restaurant.
Republican Rep. Leo Berman, of Tyler, said the caucus members were not deterred by
Straus' hefty list of supporters. He said they would start calling them to bring them to their side. Berman said he wasn't worried that they were already pledged to Straus because he said they had previously been pledged to Craddick.
Craddick has been a lightning rod of controversy in Austin. He famously faced down a
rebellion at the end of the 2007 session after replacing his rules advisers and claiming "absolute" authority to brush aside challenges to his rule.
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Tom Craddick has said he would not run for the office in the new session of the state legislature. If there is one thing he can do it is count votes and they just aint there for him now! This is good news for Texas. Craddick's rule as the most powerful politician in the state has been arrogant, autocratic and straight from the playbooks of such disgraced Republicans as Tom Delay, Karl Rove and Dick Cheney.
Below is an article from AP about the situation. (The layout is a bit screwed up for reasons I just don't quite understand. It's my computer or Blogger, I just don't know.)
Texas House speaker said to throw in the towel
By APRIL CASTRO and JAY ROOT – 2 days ago
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, the longest serving Republican in state elective office, has apparently given up his hard-fought bid for a fourth term in the post, leaving the door open for a rival Republican who is a relative newcomer.
Craddick aides and allies said Sunday the Midland oilman, the first Republican to lead the House since the Civil War era, told his supporters that he did not have enough votes among his fellow members to remain in the powerful job.
"I talked to the speaker. He has dropped his candidacy and released his pledges," Rep. Will Hartnett, a longtime Craddick supporter, said Sunday. "He just decided it was getting too tight."
Craddick's dwindling support became insurmountable as Rep. Joe Straus, gained
strength. Shortly before word of Craddick's surrender spread, Straus, R-San Antonio,
released a list of 85 pledges of support, more than enough to win the election on Jan. 13.
"It is time for a new tone and an atmosphere of trust in the Texas House of
Representatives," Straus said, upon announcing that he had secured enough support to
win the race. "Having received the commitment of a strong majority of my colleagues, it is my goal to restore civility, fairness and transparency to the House of Representatives and its public-policy making process."
Republicans hold a 76-74 majority in the House. The narrow partisan split and divided GOP loyalties mean House Democrats will play a decisive role. All but four House Democrats endorsed Straus.
Most Republicans threw their support behind veteran Amarillo Republican Rep. John
Smithee, who entered the race Sunday.
"We're going to need a little bit of help from a higher power and that's where we're
looking," Smithee said after members of the Republican caucus meeting Sunday night
voted to support him.
At a downtown Austin steakhouse, where Craddick addressed the House Republican
caucus, Craddick rushed through a throng of reporters to get into the restaurant.
Republican Rep. Leo Berman, of Tyler, said the caucus members were not deterred by
Straus' hefty list of supporters. He said they would start calling them to bring them to their side. Berman said he wasn't worried that they were already pledged to Straus because he said they had previously been pledged to Craddick.
Craddick has been a lightning rod of controversy in Austin. He famously faced down a
rebellion at the end of the 2007 session after replacing his rules advisers and claiming "absolute" authority to brush aside challenges to his rule.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
City Council Considers Smoking Ban in Bars and Other Public Places
The cartoon is one I did in 2001 about the first attempt by the city council to ban smoking in restaurants. They created a situation with smoking and non-smoking areas in the same buildings. That didn't work.
The Corpus Christi City Council has passed a second reading of a new city ordinance that will ban smoking in bars and some other public places. Bingo parlors are excluded.
Of course many bar owners, and others are in strong opposition claiming property owner's rights and individual rights are threatened. The bingo parlors were able to gain their exclusion citing the fear that they provide a considerable amount of charitable donations from their proceeds and, my goodness, they don't want to deprive these charities of their money! They cited studies that indicate such bingo games in places with smoking bans have shown a decrease in funds. The bar owners also claim they will lose money as well.
These claims are largely unsubstantiated. A look at such studies indicates that those that show a loss of revenue were financed by tobacco companies and smokers' rights groups, No objectivity here!
It also seems that studies that show no substantial loss in incomes have been produced by anti-smoking groups. Probably not much objectivity here either. It doesn't seem that there have been any scientific, objective studies done so far.
That shouldn't matter. There are no longer questions about the health threat posed by smoking and inhalation of second hand smoke. The evidence is conclusive and show real health hazards.
Tobacco smoke is a hazardous material. Courts in all jurisdictions have upheld the concept that it is illegal and prohibited to allow hazardous, carcinogenic materials to be released in the atmosphere. The rights of smokers and bar owners are trumped by the rights of the public to breath clean air. It's just that simple.
The cartoon is one I did in 2001 about the first attempt by the city council to ban smoking in restaurants. They created a situation with smoking and non-smoking areas in the same buildings. That didn't work.
The Corpus Christi City Council has passed a second reading of a new city ordinance that will ban smoking in bars and some other public places. Bingo parlors are excluded.
Of course many bar owners, and others are in strong opposition claiming property owner's rights and individual rights are threatened. The bingo parlors were able to gain their exclusion citing the fear that they provide a considerable amount of charitable donations from their proceeds and, my goodness, they don't want to deprive these charities of their money! They cited studies that indicate such bingo games in places with smoking bans have shown a decrease in funds. The bar owners also claim they will lose money as well.
These claims are largely unsubstantiated. A look at such studies indicates that those that show a loss of revenue were financed by tobacco companies and smokers' rights groups, No objectivity here!
It also seems that studies that show no substantial loss in incomes have been produced by anti-smoking groups. Probably not much objectivity here either. It doesn't seem that there have been any scientific, objective studies done so far.
That shouldn't matter. There are no longer questions about the health threat posed by smoking and inhalation of second hand smoke. The evidence is conclusive and show real health hazards.
Tobacco smoke is a hazardous material. Courts in all jurisdictions have upheld the concept that it is illegal and prohibited to allow hazardous, carcinogenic materials to be released in the atmosphere. The rights of smokers and bar owners are trumped by the rights of the public to breath clean air. It's just that simple.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Escobar Fires Smith
Corpus Christi City Manager Angel Escobar has demonstrated that his whim is a law unto itself. He fired Police Chief Bryan Smith on trumped up, phony charges totally unrelated to the original cause of Escobar's so-called investigation. It is a sad day for accountable, responsible city government.
Corpus Christi City Manager Angel Escobar has demonstrated that his whim is a law unto itself. He fired Police Chief Bryan Smith on trumped up, phony charges totally unrelated to the original cause of Escobar's so-called investigation. It is a sad day for accountable, responsible city government.
Monday, November 17, 2008
New City Manger Makes First Official Action: Suspends Police Chief!
So the interim city manager's first act, after finally agreeing to be the real city manager, is to place Corpus Christi Police Chief Bryan Smith on paid suspension. Why? Because Chief Smith allegedly made "disparaging" remarks about the city manager, some council members and other public officials during a private conversation that was recorded.
Does one lose the right of freedom of speech because he is the chief of police? Since when is making "disparaging" remarks, in private or otherwise, a punishable offense?
The naming of Angel Escobar as the new city manager has not been one of the city council's brightest moments. Quite frankly, the history of city managers here in Corpus Christi has been a sorry narrative of ineptness, incompetence and sometimes out right crookedness and makes one ask how long do we need to continue with this sort of city government.
If making "disparaging" remarks about elected and other public officials is a crime then many in our community are multiple offenders!
So the interim city manager's first act, after finally agreeing to be the real city manager, is to place Corpus Christi Police Chief Bryan Smith on paid suspension. Why? Because Chief Smith allegedly made "disparaging" remarks about the city manager, some council members and other public officials during a private conversation that was recorded.
Does one lose the right of freedom of speech because he is the chief of police? Since when is making "disparaging" remarks, in private or otherwise, a punishable offense?
The naming of Angel Escobar as the new city manager has not been one of the city council's brightest moments. Quite frankly, the history of city managers here in Corpus Christi has been a sorry narrative of ineptness, incompetence and sometimes out right crookedness and makes one ask how long do we need to continue with this sort of city government.
If making "disparaging" remarks about elected and other public officials is a crime then many in our community are multiple offenders!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
City To Give $1 Million To TAMUCC
Today's local newspaper featured an article which reports that the Corpus Christi City Council has agreed to give $1 million to Texas A&M University Corpus Christi to help develop a new mechanical engineering program.
The article:
By Sara Foley
November 12, 2008
CORPUS CHRISTI — The City Council will give $1 million in sales tax revenue
toward Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's proposed mechanical engineering
program.
The funding, which the council approved 7-2 Tuesday, only can be used to reimburse
the university for money it spends on retrofitting laboratories and buying equipment
while establishing a mechanical engineering major. It won't pay for marketing,
scholarships or professors' salaries.
Councilmen Michael McCutchon and Mike Hummell voted against the funding, in part
because they questioned if helping the program was an appropriate use of sales tax
money earmarked for economic development.
"I have strong reservations using local taxpayer money to underwrite a program at a
university," Hummell said. "There are engineering programs all over the state that aren't
getting this kind of money. They just step up and get it done."
The new engineering major has yet to get final approval from the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board and the Texas A&M University System Board of
Regents.
Trent Hill, A&M-Corpus Christi's vice president, said the university wouldn't take the
city's money unless the program is approved. The coordinating board and the regents
gave the program preliminary approval, but the university has to finalize its degree plan
to get final approval, Hill said.
The money comes from a one-eighth-cent sales tax that goes toward economic
development in the city. The city's business and job development corporation
recommends to the council how to spend that money.
Councilman Larry Elizondo said he initially had trouble seeing the program as
economic development, but now sees it as an investment in the economy.
"If we want long-term results, we're going to have to see these types of long-term
efforts," he said.
Corporation board chairman Eloy Salazar pointed to Amarillo as an example of another
city that used sales tax revenues to help higher education.
Amarillo's economic development corporation gave $6 million toward Texas Tech
University's pharmacy school and more than $1 million for an engineering program at
West Texas A&M University.
Hummell also questioned if there was sufficient demand for an engineering program.
Whether South Texas could support engineering programs at the Corpus Christi campus
and nearby Texas A&M University-Kingsville has been debated in the past year.
Hummell brought up a letter from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that
said the university shouldn't set up an engineering school because engineering programs
at other Texas universities didn't have enough students to fill their seats. That letter was
written about the university getting an engineering school, which is different than the
scaled-down plans to set up a major.
"Having an engineering school that is empty in Corpus Christi isn't going to help us any
more than having any of the other empty engineering schools in the state," Hummell
said.
Councilman Bill Kelly disagreed.
"I realize the goal of economic development is to increase the size of the pie," he said.
"It's just as legitimate to help Corpus Christi get a bigger slice of the existing pie."
The $1 million pledge from the city is a third of what the university told the state it
would raise to cover the program's startup costs.
If the university raises the $3 million, then state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., D-Corpus
Christi, said he will ask the state to pay for the remaining startup costs.
He said his negotiations with state officials led him to believe the state will pay the
remaining cost.
Hill said the total cost to set up the program isn't clear.
Kudos to Councilmen Michael McCutchon and Mike Hummell who had the good sense and courage to vote against this proposal.
Certainly higher education is important and the city should do what it can to help promote local colleges and universities but is the City of Corpus Christi able to give up public lands and tax revenues for TAMUCC? What about Del Mar? Should we not help them with some city tax revenue? Does the city have this kind of money laying around that we can afford to donate all this?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Judge Carl Lewis Has Died
Yesterday came the news that local Juvenile Court Judge Carl Lewis had died of a heart attack. This was shocking news.
Carl was a good judge in a difficult job and he handled it very well.
I knew him in quite a different light. He was also a blues man, a singer and a harp player. He and his band, Carl Lewis and the Dead Beats, have entertained around here for years. Accompanied by lawyer buddies David Bright and Tyner Little on guitars, they were always crowd favorites.
Carl had a fabulous voice and probably would have had a future in the music business should he have dropped his day job!
Condolences to his family and his many friends and to all he had offered a helping hand or who loved his music. Rest in peace.
Yesterday came the news that local Juvenile Court Judge Carl Lewis had died of a heart attack. This was shocking news.
Carl was a good judge in a difficult job and he handled it very well.
I knew him in quite a different light. He was also a blues man, a singer and a harp player. He and his band, Carl Lewis and the Dead Beats, have entertained around here for years. Accompanied by lawyer buddies David Bright and Tyner Little on guitars, they were always crowd favorites.
Carl had a fabulous voice and probably would have had a future in the music business should he have dropped his day job!
Condolences to his family and his many friends and to all he had offered a helping hand or who loved his music. Rest in peace.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Nueces County GOP Gets Down In The Muck With AdsThe Nueces County GOP recently produced a political ad so dirty, deceptive and untrue that two of our local TV stations refused to air it. Congratulations and thanks are due for KZTV channel 12 and KRIS TV channel 6 for having the good sense to turn down such political muck.
KIII TV channel 3 ran the ad.
The ads were attacking local Democrats Abel Herrero and Juan Garcia who each represent districts in the state house of representatives.
Postscript: Oct. 1, 2008; These ads are now appearing frequently on cable TV. I subscribe to Time Warner, which apparently has no standards which must be met by political advertising.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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