April First
Welcome to April. It is April first or April Fool’s Day.
_____
The featured photo is the front page of today’s Chron. Very sad image. This was happening at HISD and helped create the climate that led to the TEA takeover.
_____
Commentary doesn’t ride on Houston Metro buses. I ride the Red Line when I must go to Downtown H-Town, and I know it is going to be tough to find street parking like I did last Thursday to Opening Day. I have noticed that Houston Metro has been building new shelters at bus stops for bus riders. It is good to see Metro finally stepping up and looking after its bus riders. I have not heard very much praise for Metro on this.
_____
From today’s Chron:
Acting Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee on Monday demanded that Gov. Greg Abbott call a special election to fill the region’s open congressional seat, even going as far as threatening legal action as the governor continues to hold off.
Houston’s 18th Congressional District, which has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold, has been without representation since March 5 after U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner died following health complications.
Menefee was the first to file to replace Turner, doing so just hours after Turner’s west Houston funeral on March 15.
It’s the second time the congressional seat has needed to be filled in a year. Turner had just stepped into the position in January following U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s death from pancreatic cancer in July.
“If Gov. Abbott tries to play fresh and does not call this election before November, I will sue him,” Menefee said, before requesting the election be held in June.
Sounds like a publicity stunt from a congressional candidate. Hey, if it gets you some media coverage, go for it. As of today, the governor is acting within his authority, like it or not. I don’t like it. I didn’t know we now have an Acting County Attorney. Oh, well.
_____
Commentary knows H-Town Mayor John Whitmire well. Heck, we texted yesterday about him throwing out the first pitch at last night’s game against the Giants. I told him not to put it in the dirt. He tossed into the catcher’s glove.
The mayor has also said time and time again that elections have consequences. The mayor is catching some heat over a decision to redo a street in Midtown. The mayor knows there will be consequences to his actions, and he will deal with them.
_____
My Beatles wall calendars for the month of April has the four in a color photo with George wearing a turtleneck and it looks like circa 1965. The other is the 1965 45 sleeve of “Help” and “I’m Down” with the four in a black and white photo with Bobbies.
_____
The Women’s and Men’s Final Four is set and there are two teams from Texas, and one each from Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
_____
On those dumb Donald Trump tariffs, it will impact the Astros, but not this season. A lot of the promotional giveaways are made in China. The Astros ordered them last year and they are probably already stashed away in a storeroom at Daikin Park, so there isn’t an added cost. Next season will be a different deal though.
Tonight is Dollar Dog Night at Daikin Park.