Who is running for Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party?

January 19, 2017

Inquiring minds what to know.

Lane Lewis is stepping down as Chair of the Party. I’ve heard a couple of names being kicked around and confirmation of a few. The Chair has a number of responsibilities such as raising significant amounts of money for the Party, finding and training candidates to run for office, and my favorite, running a coordinated campaign concentrating on straight ticket voters.

I personally would like to see a coordinated campaign with all volunteers trained to use the latest technology. I would like to see the satellite offices being run as if they were an extension of the Party HQ. I would like to see a plan for the campaign with analysis, goals, schedules, and everyone knowing where we are going, how we are getting there, and how we know when we get there.

The position of the Chair has a huge responsibility. It’s not a position for a rookie. It requires experience in the field, behind the desk, and the ability to reach out to the diverse community of the Democratic Party.

It’s early but here is my blunt and uninformed take on those who are running or rumored to be running:

Lillie Schechter. Lillie brings a lot of experience to the table in fundraising capability, field, and politics in general. She should be seriously considered.

Eartha Jean Johnson. I haven’t heard of Eartha before but based upon her resume she recently sent via email she has some good credentials. Another one to watch.

Rony Escobar. This is not an office for a rookie. There is little if any on the job training. You have to love his enthusiasm but this is a very serious position that requires a very serious candidate.

Dominique Davis. I believe Dominique has worked at the HQs before but she might want to consider running for the Executive Director before jumping onto the Chair. Baby steps. Baby steps.

Chris Spellman. I do not know Chris.

Art Pronin.  Art was great as the Club President for Meyerland Democrats but the jump to Chair might be a bit too big.

Anyone else running? Charles Kuffner has his own take on it. Maybe the party will have a candidate forum in the near future.

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Posted by johncoby

Just remember. When you tell me you voted for Trump….

November 8, 2016

Just remember.

I have friends who are gay.
I have friends who are Muslim.
I have friends who care for their disabled child.
I have friends who are disabled.
I am married to a woman.
I have a child who is a woman.
I am Latino.

So when you tell me you voted for a man who says the gay community are second class citizens, who labels all Muslims as terrorists, who mocks the disabled,  who makes horrible comments towards women, and who paints all Latinos as rapists, murderers, and criminals, then you will understand when I respond with the ole Dick Cheney statement: Go F*ck Yourself.

Jackass.

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Posted by johncoby

Shocking. Volt Electricity Provider

November 2, 2016

A quick break from politics.

A few months ago the Public Utility Commission (PUC) requested comments from consumers on how to improve their website the PowerToChoose.com. The Chairman of the PUC stated in the Texas Tribune article:

Donna Nelson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission, said Thursday at a public meeting. “They’ve [electricity resellers] got all these tricky little things in their prices, and whatever the fact sheets are called – the nutrition label – that makes it really difficult for customers.”

Today the tricky little things continue. For example, look at the rate for Volt Electricity Provider (Volt EP)

Volt EP advertises a plan that charges a fixed rate of 7.7 cents per kWh across the board but the details of the plan is something different. According to the Fact Sheet the rate is a type of “average” I have never seen before. For instance if a homeowner uses 500 kWh the bill is $38.50 (7.7 cents per kWh). But if that same homeowner uses only 250 kWh the bill is the same $38.50. (15.4 cents per kWh) Here is a pic from their fact sheet:

So the true cost of Volt EP really isn’t as easy as kWh X 7.7 cents because it depends upon your real usage for the month. Based upon my usage over the last year my real average would be 9.9 cents per kWh about 30% higher than what is advertised.

Welcome to the Texas deregulation market.

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Posted by johncoby

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is considering banning pre-dispute arbitration clauses.

August 21, 2016

It’s time to put an end to the kangaroo courts. you have till Monday at midnight to submit comments on the subject. From the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last year issued a detailed report on arbitration clauses, and it has proposed a rule covering many financial products and services — including bank accounts — that would bar arbitration requirements that preclude consumers from joining in class-action cases. 

You can submit comments online by Monday the 22nd at this link and the CFPB has published tips on submitting comments. All comments are public record. I submitted the following. Feel free to cut and paste if you agree. The New York Times also wrote an excellent article on the subject.

As a consumer activist in Texas, I have witnessed some of the worst abuses in mandatory binding arbitration especially with the home building industry. I understand the home builders will not be affected by this regulation but the experiences and abuses are relevant nevertheless. I am in favor for the following reasons:

1) Not one individual, attorney, or anyone commenting on this regulation can claim arbitration is faster, cheaper, or better than our time honored court system because at the time of signing the agreement no one knows the details of the future dispute. How can anyone defend arbitration when they do not know how much the dispute is about? It is literally impossible to do so. As we have learned here in Texas the rules of arbitration can vary based upon the monetary value of the dispute. Consumers expect their day in court and many believe their complaint will be heard by an arbitrator, someone they can talk to and present their case to. Unfortunately consumers are not aware that some arbitration companies will only have a “desk review” with documents provided through the mail. Others are not aware that the arbitration will be heard by multiple arbitrators and a substantial cost. At the time of signing the arbitration clause these details cannot be disclosed because the details of the future dispute is not known by either party.

2) Consumers are too ignorant to know what they are signing. As someone who has followed this issue for 2 decades I continue to learn new problems with arbitration by attending hearings and listening to attorneys. To this day I am still ignorant of the impacts of signing these agreements. The vast majority of consumers have absolutely know idea what arbitration only that it is suppose to be “faster, cheaper, and better” as claimed by the proponents of arbitration.

3) The use of mandatory arbitration is an abuse of not only the ignorant, but of the elderly. Many are not aware of the details and do not have the time to research.

4) The legal decision to opt for arbitration and/or mediation is a decision best left to an attorney. Most consumers do not know that the use of arbitration as an alternative to a civil trial has been mired in controversy for decades. A simple Google search results in pages of articles. They may incorrectly believe that arbitration is faster, better, and cheaper yet studies after studies show otherwise. Few consumers will understand they are giving up their rights to the 7th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States without first consulting with an attorney at the time of a dispute. The arbitration clauses are full of legal loopholes that an average consumer could not adequately understand. The selection of arbitration as an alternative to a civil trial is a legal decision that should not be made by consumers ignorant of the law and it’s consequences.

5) Arbitration and mediation are already available to consumers if they so choose. The right to arbitration and/or mediation is already available to the consumer and their attorney. If they have a dispute they can always opt for arbitration upon advice from their attorney. It is clear why industries want to have this abusive clause buried into a contract at the time of signing without knowing the details of the future dispute. The only reason is because they know this is abusive and will benefit themselves and is far from being fair.

6) As you are aware the choice of arbitration has been removed by the industry. Since most every organization has this mandatory clause, there is no longer a choice. Consumers can not simply go to a different vendor. Much like the home building industry most every builder has the clause. Buyers must give up their American Constitutional rights in order to by the American dream.

7) We pay taxes for our court system. We should have the right to use that system when a dispute arises. This is truly taxation without representation.

8) The consumer will always be at a financial disadvantage to the corporations. They have enough money to fight consumers every step of the way. They corporations do not need any more help by allowing arbitration clauses.

9) Most consumers are not aware that the right to a trial is protected by the 7th Amendment of the Constitution. If they had a choice at signing they would NEVER give this right up.

10) Realize that in the mid-90’s the auto dealers lobbied congress to ban the use of mandatory arbitraition between auto dealers and auto manufacturers because it was not fair to the dealers. Unfortunately the dealers have left the clause in the consumer contract. The CFPB should review this and rule accordingly. If it is good enough for the dealers it should be good enough for the consumers.

I urge you to pass this regulation and ban the use of mandatory arbitration.

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Posted by johncoby

Recap of the TX Dept of Insurance hearing on Arbitration

July 7, 2016

It’s worse than you think.

Yesterday the Texas Dept of Insurance conducted a “discussion” concerning the use of mandatory binding arbitration clauses in home insurance contracts. In my opinion the consumers of Texas won the discussion but the decision will not be made any time soon.

Background
Farm Bureau insurance has asked TDI to allow them to offer a mandatory binding arbitration clause that would require policy holders to take their claims to a private justice system instead of a civil court as guaranteed by the 7th amendment of the Constitution. In exchange the policy holder would receive a discount in their premium.

Key points

There was about 7 hours of discussion in a very crowded room. Here are some key points. 
  • The industry tried to pass legislation last session to allow them to use arbitration but the bills failed. Now they are trying an end around hoping the Commissioner will bite. 
  • The representative from The Center for Economic Justice claimed the arbitration clause to be used by Farm Bureau was discriminatory against Hispanics in the counties of south Texas. He seemed to have data to prove his claims. 
  • The main concern was that most consumers do not understand exactly what they are signing. After listening to the entire day of testimony I am convinced that consumers have absolutely no idea what they are agreeing to. There are enough loopholes in the example language submitted by Farm Bureau to confuse the vast majority of consumers and even some attorneys.
  • The other concerns about arbitration was discussed including the hidden costs, the secrecy of the proceedings, the bias of the arbitrators, and the fact that arbitration has been mired in controversy for decades. (Do a google search!)
  • As with the home builders, the insurance industry claimed arbitration was “overly” fair which drew a chuckle. They claimed it was faster, better, cheaper but gave no supportting evidence. 
  • The president of Conflict Solutions of Texas, the arbitration firm that would benefit from adoption of this clause and selected by Farm Bureau was in favor of the clause. Imagine that. 
  • No consumers voiced their support for the arbitration clause. 
  • Consumers voiced their opinions against arbitration. 
  • Consumers urged TDI to focus their resources on lowering premiums instead of auctioning off our Constitutional rights. 
  • Many attorneys believe TDI does not have the authority to allow one company to offer this change. It would require a rule change which requires a different process. 
For the consumers
Consumers of Texas have a very respectable organization fighting to protect them from consumer scams like Arbitration, that being Texas Watch. Texas Watch is the premier consumer organization in Texas and did a great job in presenting the case against the arbitration clause.

There were only 4 consumers who spoke but were powerful because they paid the bills, would be most affected by the change, and could speak from a consumer perspective. Other consumer organizations included Home Owners for Better Building represented by Janet Ahmad who is well versed in the abuse of arbitration by the home building industry. Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Center for Economic Justice, Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, Policyholders of Texas and a group representing attorney who represents both sides. All were opposed to the arbitration clause for many reasons.

For the insurance industry
Those in favor of the arbitration clause included Farm Bureau, the company who instigated the change, a couple of insurance company attorneys, a front group for the insurance industry the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insuranc Solutions and the President of Conflict Solutions of Texas.  Conflict Solutions is the arbitration firm Farm Bureau would use if allowed.

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Posted by johncoby

Farm Bureau changes their position on arbitration in home insurance contracts

July 1, 2016

You can’t make this stuff up. (and I didn’t)

Yesterday the Texas Department of Insurance Companies issued a revised “example” language by the Farm Bureau concerning their proposed use of mandatory binding arbitration in their home contracts. Today that revision is gone.

According to the example language provided by Farm Bureau, in exchange for a discount on a homeowners premium, Farm Bureau will pick the arbitration firm, the terms of the arbitration, and will limit discovery. This is what Texas Watch has called a Kangaroo Court. Previously the example had only Conflict Solutions of Texas as their arbitration company of choice. Yesterday they added the grand daddy of all arbitration companies, the American Arbitration Association. Today the AAA have been removed.

In the words of Donald Trump “What the hell is going on?”.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who is behind the hearing and use of arbitration. Consumers did not request this change, they are too ignorant on the issue. The consumer organizations did not request this change, they are too educated on the issue. The insurance industry is the only organization that will benefit from the use of this option.

And now just days before the hearing they are changing their proposed language. As we have seen in the home building industry what they say is only valid on the day they say it. If you don’t like it, wait for tomorrow.

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Posted by johncoby

Hearing on the use of Arbitration with the Texas Department of Insurance Companies

June 25, 2016

Texas insurance companies have asked the Texas Department of Insurance to allow them to entice consumers with mandatory binding arbitration in exchange for a discount on their premiums. Instead of focusing their limited resources on lowering record high premiums for homeowners, the TDI will  focus on helping the insurance industry prey upon consumers looking for a break.

Selecting an alternative dispute resolution is a legal matter and should be performed only after consulting with an attorney. Consumers should not make this decision and the TDI should not allow the industry to prey upon those who are looking for a reduction in premiums.

From the TDI:

Docket No. 2788 – Notice of Public Meeting 

Location: William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building  
333 Guadalupe, Room 100 
Austin, TX
July 06, 2016 
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
The commissioner of insurance will hold a public meeting to receive written and oral comments relating to mandatory mediation-arbitration endorsements. The endorsement would be attached to a homeowners policy at the policyholder’s option, with a premium discount.
If you wish to provide written comments, please provide two copies no later than 5 p.m., Central time, July 6, 2016. Send one copy by email to chiefclerk@tdi.texas.gov, or by mail to the Texas Department of Insurance, Office of the Chief Clerk, Mail Code 113-2A, P.O. Box 149104, Austin, Texas 78714-9104. Send the other copy to Marilyn Hamilton by email at marilyn.hamilton@tdi.texas.gov, or by mail to the Texas Department of Insurance, Property and Casualty Lines Office, Mail Code 104-PC, P.O. Box 149104, Austin, Texas 78714-9104.


Indicates that event is scheduled to be available by a live broadcast Link to Live Webcast [Link to audio will be live shortly before the meeting begins.].



For more information contact: ChiefClerk@tdi.texas.gov
 

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Posted by johncoby

The light control box mini-mural in Clear Lake. It's gone!

June 2, 2016

An interesting story.

The City of Houston and the Houston Arts Alliance teamed up with local artists to transform the traffic control boxes on street corners into works of art. called Mini Murals. Here in Clear Lake we had one painted by Gabriel Prusmack in a chemical motif, I assume in reference to the chemical industry in the area. This box was located on the corner of Clear Lake City Blvd and El Camino until someone decided to take it upon themselves to paint over it.

The local City Councilman’s office reported it to the police as vandalism. To make a long story short, a local HOA contracted with a painter to repaint the box. According to their management company:

“The box is located on property owned and maintained by the XXXX Association. The manager of the community received many complaints of graffiti on the box. In an effort to resolve issues of graffiti as quickly as possible, the manager dispatched our maintenance crew to paint over the graffiti.”

It’s a shame since the art is pretty interesting and the artist spent a considerable amount of time and effort to paint this ,all with the City of Houston’s blessing. Here are some more examples of this mini-mural project:

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Posted by johncoby

The Power to Complain: Texas Electricity Website Is Rigged

May 24, 2016

Thanks to Dave Fehling of Houston Public Media for this story on the Texas Public Utility Commission Power to Choose website. After 13 years the promise of lower electricity rates due to deregulation has never materialized for Texas consumers. The Power to Choose website was designed to allow consumers the ability to “Shop, Compare, and Choose” but has failed to do so.

The PUC has been collecting comments on how to improve their deceptive Power to Choose website. As many of the 100 comments have stated, the website does not truly compare the hundreds of plans available that are complicated with fees, gimmicks, rebates, and hidden charges. Even the Chairman of the PUC stated in the Texas Tribune article:

Donna Nelson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission, said Thursday at a public meeting. “They’ve [electricity resellers] got all these tricky little things in their prices, and whatever the fact sheets are called – the nutrition label – that makes it really difficult for customers.”

I was pleased to see that other individuals and organizations, including AARP Texas, has joined me in recommending true comparison of the plans available taking into consideration their historic kWh usage of their home coupled with the various plans, fees, and gimmicks. The PUC has access to consumer’s historical usage. They can easily take this information and perform the calculations for every plan and show how much each plan would truly cost. This would be a true and fairly accurate comparison based upon your specific usage. Currently the website does nothing more than displays the cost per kWh and some of the gimmicks for each company. This is not comparing.

“Give real comparisons of how much you will be paying each company,” said Cobarruvius. A PUC spokesperson told us that the commission is continuing to take consumer comments and will consider changes by sometime late this summer.

With historic lows in natural gas and the magic of deregulation championed by Ken Lay and Enron, it is about time the Public Utility Commission make good on their promises of lower electricity rates for consumers.

If you are interested, comments can be viewed and submitted here.

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Posted by johncoby

Carl Whitmarsh 1952-2016

May 12, 2016

Last weekend a Democratic friend of mine, Carl Whitmarsh, passed away. Most everyone had a run in with Carl at one time or another. I was no different but he always smiled and said hello no matter how much of a jackass I was.

From Harris County:

In loving memory of Carl Whitmarsh (1952-2016). Please join us for a Memorial Service honoring a true Democratic Legend.

If you would like to help with expenses please donate to https://www.gofundme.com/CarlWhitmarsh or make check payable to Mary Schllet 5910 Acorn, Houston, TX 77092

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Posted by johncoby

Not guilty in Taylor Lake shooting trial

April 21, 2016

The age of George Zimmerman continues…..

From Click2Houston:

HOUSTON – It took a Harris County Jury three hours Monday to decide a Seabrook area doctor who shot and killed his neighbor in May 2013 is not guilty of murder.

I’ve blogged on this before. I was able to hear the testimony of the shooter. I came away with two thoughts, 1) I felt the Assistant District Attorney’s heart wasn’t in this trial. Maybe he presented this case  to the grand jury with the recommendation to no bill it and then was surprised to see an indictment. It happens when a case is going to be hard to prove. 2) I cannot understand why the ADA did not hammer the shooter on why he escorted the intruder off the property, across the street, around the corner, and down the street instead of retreating to the safety of his home and letting the police handle it.

Much like why George Zimmerman didn’t just stay in his car and let the police investigate the intruder. If both of these individuals had just let the police handle the situation two individuals would be alive today, but we have become a gun nut shoot first, take matters into your own hands, society and we must now suffer the consequences, more for some than for others. 

According to Click2Houston the family has filed a wrongful death suit.

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Posted by johncoby

The next George Zimmerman trial is ongoing in Houston

April 5, 2016

From Click2Houston:

HOUSTON – The Seabrook-area doctor who killed his neighbor was in court in Houston Monday. The question is whether Karl Hormann committed murder. There’s no argument that the dead man, Brandon Smith, 36, trespassed on Hormann’s property during a private party. He was warned to leave, but Hormann — who shot Smith three times, killing him — appeared to do so in the public street, not on his property

The website for Brandon Smith has links to the 911 call. You can hear the shots that killed Brandon and more. It’s sick. Why Hormann had to leave his house and follow Brandon down the street is beyond me. The police had been called. Their sirens can be heard in the call. Go back into the house and let them do their job.

We live in a gun nut society. Unfortunately someone has to pay for this. As I have said before:

On one hand the shooter just had to stay in his house and wait for the police. Instead he followed the victim down the street then shot him claiming self defense, just like Zimmerman. On the other hand we live in a state where you can shoot someone in the back if they are stealing your neighbors property (Joe Horn in Pasadena). Texans believe in shooting first, taking the law and their guns into their own hands. They love their guns and the Tea Party will defend that right to bear and use arms to the death, literally.

The trial is in the 228th Criminal Court in Harris County and will continue all week. 

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Posted by johncoby

Electricity Rate Recommendation

February 25, 2016

Before electricity deregulation consumers in the old HL&P area were paying just under 8 cents a kWh in a long term, no maintenance, contract. Now after 13 years of deregulation consumers have the ability to “Shop, Compare, Choose” according to the Public Utility Commission’s website, the PowerToChoose.org. Unfortunately choosing using the tools provided by the PUC is complicated and deceiving. Don’t take my word for it, even the Commissioner agrees. From Jim Malewitz of the Texas Tribune:

Donna Nelson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission, said Thursday at a public meeting. “They’ve [electricity resellers] got all these tricky little things in their prices, and whatever the fact sheets are called – the nutrition label – that makes it really difficult for customers.”

I’m putting the final touches to a presentation titled “How to Select a Cost Effective Electricity Reseller” and in doing so stumbled upon a plan that is about as close to what we had pre-deregulation. Is it the cheapest? Maybe not for your specific usage and your home but if you are looking for a no gimmick, no extra fees, no hidden costs, with a relatively low rate, this is the one for you.

Recommendation:
Discount Power has a 12 or 24 month plan at 7,.7 cents per kWh no matter how much electricity you use during the month. Many plans have variable rates, discounts and extra fees depending upon your usage during a specific month. It can be very complicated to compute a real rate and sometimes it isn’t as low as it seems, but knock yourself out if you want to try.

With this plan you have a long, no maintenance contract, at 7.7 plus tax. If you appreciate a relatively low rate, a longer contract, and no gimmicks, this is the one for you. Discount Power Saver No Gimmicks 24 signup can be found here. The electricity fact sheet is here.

BTW I do not receive any referral fees from Discount Power and I have signed up myself.

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Posted by johncoby

Public Utility Commission shocked at deceptive pricing on their The Power To Choose website

February 12, 2016

I’ve been saying this for a while.

Electricity resellers provide rates to the PUC to be published on their website the PowerToChoose.org. The idea is to provide a single location where consumers could “compare” prices from various resellers. As I have said in the past, “It ain’t easy”. In fact it is at times deceptive and today the PUC agrees. From “Texas Regulators Eye Deceptive Electricity Pricing” by Jim Malewitz of the Texas Tribune:

Donna Nelson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission, said Thursday at a public meeting. “They’ve got all these tricky little things in their prices, and whatever the fact sheets are called – the nutrition label – that makes it really difficult for customers.”

The rates that are published do not clearly show the “gotchas”, gimmicks, or extra fees. Most prices are also based upon your particular usage. A great rate for one person could be a horrible rate for another. Gotchas and fees include a monthly usage fee, a discount for using more electricity, a penalty for using less, and penalties for not using automatic withdrawal from your checking account.

Because of these, sometimes hidden, charges the PowerToChoose.org fails to provide real rate comparison. Even if the charges are not hidden there is no way to really compare but there is a solution.

Consumers have access to their usage history through their reseller. The PUC could allow a user to input their monthly usage for a year and then perform the calculations to determine how much electricity would actually cost per reseller. This would not be perfect since your usage may vary but it would be very close and would serve as a basis for comparison.

As an example. A provider on the PUC website advertised a rate of 5 cents/kWh for using more than 1000 kWh a month and 11.5 for using less. My home is 2400 sq ft and I use over 1000 kWh just 4 months of the year. After performing these calculations the average rate I would pay is 9.9 cents well over the 8 cents I was paying pre-deregulation.

So…the PUC is finally getting it. Just remember who lobbied for deregulation, Ken Lay and Enron.

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Posted by johncoby

How much will that $17.99 oil change cost?

February 12, 2016

I should have known better.

That $17.99 oil change advertised by a company on Bay Area Blvd in Clear Lake cost me $53.00. I was in a hurry and my regular service station, NTB, was not available. They charge me $26.00 drive out and they rotate my tires. So being in a hurry I fell for the $17.99 ad. (Afterward I drove down the street to get my tires balanced and rotated for free at Discount Tires. They are a great place for tires)

After my cars hood was up, the oil was being drained I fell for the upgraded service of using Pennzoil instead of Mobil. That was $33.99. That was my mistake. Chalk that up to just plain stupidity. My bad. So after the $33.99 there was tax, an oil filter, an extra quart of oil, and a disposal fee.

All of this was included in my $26.00 service at NTB. So my suggestion when falling for this advertisement is to ask “How much will that $17.99 oil change cost me for my particular car?”. Turns out my car takes 6 quarts of oil. The $17.99 includes up to 5 quarts. And you should ask if that includes an oil filter and disposal fees.

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Posted by johncoby

Best Buy, Sears and their new arbitration clause

December 11, 2015

Lucky for Best Buy and Sears most Americans are too busy buying that giant flat screen TV, computers, and notebooks, to worry about the loss of their rights to the Constitution.

Best Buy has upgraded their arbitration policy and consumers have the choice of declining it. According to Best Buy  “We will not close your account if you only reject the arbitration change.”. Mighty nice of them. At least they give you the opportunity to opt out. Most other companies, that restrict your rights to the Constitution, do not allow this opt out provision.

Sears has adopted the same language.

The notice goes on to claim that arbitration bars you from a jury trial or joining a class action suit. Instead of a Judge and Jury in a courthouse, which you have paid for with your taxes, you have the honor of submitting your claim to a private justice system, ie the American Arbitration Association. They claim arbitration is simple and less expensive, which is not always the case.

You have to write to both if you want to opt out. I doubt most card holders will take time away from learning their new remote to do so.

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Posted by johncoby

How to drive in Texas: In the fast lane

March 16, 2015

I’ve said it before “We do things bigger in Texas”. It’s not really true unless you count the size of mosquitos or hair extensions, but we do have bigger idiots, many who drive on our Texas highways. With that in mind, here is another in the series “How to drive in Texas” this time:

Driving in the fast lane:
The fast lane on a highway, is called the “left lane”. It is dedicated to those who want to drive faster than the “flow of traffic”. 75, 85, 95 MPH is not uncommon, but for us Texans we don’t follow those California type of rules. We are free spirited, do what we want, drive where we want, kinda folk. So driving in the fast lane is simple for us simpletons.

To drive in the fast lane simply move into the lane when you have an opening and drive what ever speed you damn well please. If someone rides your bumper, or if all you see in the rear view mirror is a truck grill, consider it as extra protection from being rear ended by someone driving like a damn Californian. Those who want around you can easily use the right lane or the shoulder while waving to you as they pass by.

That’s the Texas way of driving in the fast lane. As I said, we do thing bigger in Texas.

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Posted by johncoby

The Power to Choose. It ain't that easy.

February 19, 2015

If you listen to to those who support Ken Lay’s electricity deregulation you might think choosing an electricity plan that’s right for you might be as easy as visiting the Public Utility Commission of Texas website, the PowerToChoose.org. Well it ain’t but go ahead and visit. Using the website, enter a zip code of 77062 and display the fixed rate, 12 month plans. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

The lowest rate displayed is by Discount Power for 7.4 cents a kWh, lower than what we were paying before deregulation, but it isn’t the rate you will pay if you select this plan. Open the Electricity Facts Label. I’ve written about this about a year ago. It wasn’t easy then and it’s harder now.

A year ago I created a spreadsheet to calculate the real rate based upon the kWh used, the penalties, and the monthly fees based upon my usage from last year. This year the tricks and gimmicks broke my spreadsheet. So I had to call Discount to understand their plan.

The rate for this plan is actually 11.64 cents multiplied by the kWh used, minus $45.00 if the usage is over 1000 for that month. Got that? And add the $3.05/month charge for electronic metering. This rate includes the TDSP delivery charges but not the taxes.

After many phone calls I gave in and extended by plan with PennyWise at a calculated rate of about 9.7 cents.  After all someone has to pay the middlemen with the complicated rates.

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No Place but Texas: A home and car tax cometh your way

December 19, 2014

Prior to the massive insurance reform of 2003 the Texas Windstorm Association (TWIA) covered about 6% of the coastal area and was working as it was designed in the 70’s. It might not have been perfect, but it was solvent and able to pay claims, until the Republican Party used it’s magic “Free Market” wand on it. Now everyone in the state, including you, may pay for it.

According to Seth Chandler of the University of Houston Law Center:

“We have less than half a billion dollars in the bank right now. TWIA thinks it can go borrow and get re-insurance and cover about another $3 billion, but I add three billion to a half billion and I get to $3.5 billion. I don’t get to anywhere near the five, 10, 15 billion that a major hit on the Texas coast could cost,” said Chandler.

In 2009 the Tea Party allowed TWIA to tax homeowners across the coastal area in order to cover a major event, no matter where that event took place. They also allowed the taxation of owners of car insurance. Now in the 2015 session they will ask to allow TWIA to tax everyone in the state to cover TWIA’s mismanagement.

State Insurance Representative (SIR) Larry Taylor (Teabagger Friendswood) led the charge to reform TWIA in 2003. Now he is leading the charge to tax Texas property and car owners claiming his district needs the protection because of their economic engine. Unfortunately it may be a hard sell since SIR Larry Taylor was the one that broke the system in the first place. His “free market” allowed his insurance buddies to flee the market, leaving his district with the only provider, TWIA, which is in serious financial trouble.

Lucky for Taylor, he owns an insurance company and makes money from selling TWIA contracts. He also pushed a bill to raise his own commissions from these sales. He isn’t hurting, but everyone in Texas will be soon.

I have so sympathy for those on the coast. They voted for this moron and he intends to make them pay for it and make money doing it. 

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No Place but Texas: Less Racism in Texas School Board

December 19, 2014

This “No Place but Texas” post might become a series. God knows there simply isn’t any other place on earth but Texas for stuff like this. 

You might recall: 

Chris Harris, an elected member of the Hooks Independent School Board, posted a viral image of a Ku Klux Klan member with the caption, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.”

The Hooks Independent School Board was going to meet to discuss Harris. It was probably all they could do since he was an elected official. The only way he would be removed from the board is through a recall election, if that was possible, of if he resigned. A day later Harris gave the Board something else to talk about:

A northwest Texas school board member has resigned after posting numerous comments on Facebook referencing the Ku Klux Klan in the wake of the Ferguson riots and protests. 

Chris Harris, formerly on the board for the Hooks Independent School District, apologized for his posts — which included an image of a KKK member with the caption “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” Harris has since taken down his Facebook account, Raw Story reported.

Problem solved. Harris seemed to have a recent history of Facebook racism running through his veins. He claimed his racist rants were caused by being accused of being a racist. Go figure.

Well, one gone out of our school system. Who is next?

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