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Posted
2 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

not sure it should be here or the 88th legislature thread but what was the background on eliminating the vehicle safety inspections?

Most of us keep our vehicles safe, but we've all seen plenty of vehicles on the road that appear completely unsafe or not fully functional. There are some who will drive tires to the threads/when the tire disintegrates. While that could point to current flaws (e.g. brother-in-law passing your vehicle) I don't understand blowing up the entire system.

Of all of the real and imagined problems in Texas, how is making the streets less safe a priority. Is there some anti-inspection lobby that I was unaware of?



abbott is the party of small government, duh !

Posted
Big cities (read Democratic strongholds) still have to keep annual vehicle inspections. 

I thought Counties with big populations only have to do emission inspections.
Posted

In my experience the safety inspections have become increasingly perfunctory. Last few times I didn’t even get out of my vehicle. No real brake test, no horn or wiper check, no tire tread depth check etc.

Posted
45 minutes ago, TexPx said:

In my experience the safety inspections have become increasingly perfunctory. Last few times I didn’t even get out of my vehicle. No real brake test, no horn or wiper check, no tire tread depth check etc.

how much effort do you expect them to put in for $18 (or $20? or $30? or whatever it is now)? The whole thing a stupid microcosm of republican rule. weaken any regulation to eventual ineffectiveness until it can be removed without any public backlash whatsoever. I recently drove from Austin to Dallas and back and was just utterly appalled at how trashy the highway was. Tire treads EVERYWHERE and miscellaneous trash and debris left and right. I know I-35 is a federal highway, so without looking my guess is Abbott either didn't accept maintenance funds or shifted them to something else and left the highways to rot; as if to say: see? when the feds are in charge, things go to hell. apply the same to medicare and a host of other federal programs this state does not partake in. It doesn't take much to realize why there is such a wealth divide in this state (and country). it's fucking maddening 

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Posted
2 hours ago, TexPx said:

In my experience the safety inspections have become increasingly perfunctory. Last few times I didn’t even get out of my vehicle. No real brake test, no horn or wiper check, no tire tread depth check etc.


only time I find out i have a brake light out

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Posted
23 hours ago, TexPx said:


153eb2219830d01377645de25293ecc9.jpg
SWEPCO services most of that area and the outages are due to downed power lines.

Today I learned there is a town named Plain Dealing, Louisiana.

Posted
3 hours ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

how much effort do you expect them to put in for $18 (or $20? or $30? or whatever it is now)? The whole thing a stupid microcosm of republican rule. weaken any regulation to eventual ineffectiveness until it can be removed without any public backlash whatsoever. I recently drove from Austin to Dallas and back and was just utterly appalled at how trashy the highway was. Tire treads EVERYWHERE and miscellaneous trash and debris left and right. I know I-35 is a federal highway, so without looking my guess is Abbott either didn't accept maintenance funds or shifted them to something else and left the highways to rot; as if to say: see? when the feds are in charge, things go to hell. apply the same to medicare and a host of other federal programs this state does not partake in. It doesn't take much to realize why there is such a wealth divide in this state (and country). it's fucking maddening 

This was something my wife and I noticed on a recent trip overseas, and I think it speaks to us on both a governmental level and a societal level: we traveled on some primary highways in Finland and Estonia.  Miles and miles of open road, rural areas, roadside towns, not too dissimilar from what you'd see here.  And not a scrap of trash.  Anywhere.  Either the locals don't toss it because they know it's a dick move and they look out for the common good, or the government polices the roadways and cleans stuff up pronto, or some combination of the two.

But I could make tracks between Helsinki and Turku and not see trash and debris everywhere.  It actually made an impression on us, the difference was so stark.  But, you know, America #1, and The Texas Miracle, and all those other lies we tell ourselves about how we're the bestest in the history of ever.

 

And to take this back to Abbott directly, here's this from the Blastfurnace thread in DT -- posted in a discussion of the massive and widespread storm-caused power outage in E. Texas (200,000 homes were without power, restoration is going to take a week):

522c397e8b3bc11c2d34761e0c66ead0.png

That's price gouging!  It's illegal, by specific state statute!

I mean....it WOULD be....if Abbott ever got around to declaring a disaster, which he can do in about 5 minutes, with a form that's already mostly filled out and a stroke of the pen.  See, the statute only kicks in if there's an actual state or federal disaster declaration.  If not....well, what you see above is totally legal, totally cool.

Abbott has absolutely and completely abdicated his role as Governor of the State of Texas.  He's decided to instead dedicate 100% of his time and effort to being a dancing MAGA clown or somesuch, except no dancing.  He's hot garbage, and every second he is in power costs Texans stacks of money, not to mention suffering and death.  He is a net negative.  We would actually -- for real, at this point in time -- be better off with Dan Patrick as governor.  That's how fucking bad it is.

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Posted
8 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

And to take this back to Abbott directly, here's this from the Blastfurnace thread in DT -- posted in a discussion of the massive and widespread storm-caused power outage in E. Texas (200,000 homes were without power, restoration is going to take a week):

522c397e8b3bc11c2d34761e0c66ead0.png

That's price gouging!  It's illegal, by specific state statute!

I mean....it WOULD be....if Abbott ever got around to declaring a disaster, which he can do in about 5 minutes, with a form that's already mostly filled out and a stroke of the pen.  See, the statute only kicks in if there's an actual state or federal disaster declaration.  If not....well, what you see above is totally legal, totally cool.

Why do you hate capitalism? 

Signed,

The Three Stooges of the Inflation Thread

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Posted
55 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

This was something my wife and I noticed on a recent trip overseas, and I think it speaks to us on both a governmental level and a societal level: we traveled on some primary highways in Finland and Estonia.  Miles and miles of open road, rural areas, roadside towns, not too dissimilar from what you'd see here.  And not a scrap of trash.  Anywhere.  Either the locals don't toss it because they know it's a dick move and they look out for the common good, or the government polices the roadways and cleans stuff up pronto, or some combination of the two.

But I could make tracks between Helsinki and Turku and not see trash and debris everywhere.  It actually made an impression on us, the difference was so stark.  But, you know, America #1, and The Texas Miracle, and all those other lies we tell ourselves about how we're the bestest in the history of ever.

Off topic but Americans love their right to toss trash everywhere. I frequently run at a Houston park. Trash everywhere. It gets picked up and visitors trash it again within a day. The parking lot looks to be where people empty trash that's in their car. It appears that when some people finish a water bottle, the best place to deposit the bottle is dropping it on the ground.  </old man yell at clouds>

Posted
5 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Off topic but Americans love their right to toss trash everywhere. I frequently run at a Houston park. Trash everywhere. It gets picked up and visitors trash it again within a day. The parking lot looks to be where people empty trash that's in their car. It appears that when some people finish a water bottle, the best place to deposit the bottle is dropping it on the ground.  </old man yell at clouds>

There's a bigger cultural commentary on a society driven by individualism/primacy of the "self" at all costs vs. a society that sees itself as, well, a society.  Won't threadjack here to go all the way down that road.

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Posted
28 minutes ago, Francisco 2.0 said:

 

 

He's shooting all the hostages.  All of them.  Because the assholery is the point.

Seriously...he's just a giant fucking asshole.  It doesn't need any more political analysis than that.

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Posted
8 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

You want to put your balls on a man's face? Seems like a weird way to come out, but know you are seen and celebrated. 

Homophobia noted.

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Posted
This was something my wife and I noticed on a recent trip overseas, and I think it speaks to us on both a governmental level and a societal level: we traveled on some primary highways in Finland and Estonia.  Miles and miles of open road, rural areas, roadside towns, not too dissimilar from what you'd see here.  And not a scrap of trash.  Anywhere.  Either the locals don't toss it because they know it's a dick move and they look out for the common good, or the government polices the roadways and cleans stuff up pronto, or some combination of the two.
But I could make tracks between Helsinki and Turku and not see trash and debris everywhere.  It actually made an impression on us, the difference was so stark.  But, you know, America #1, and The Texas Miracle, and all those other lies we tell ourselves about how we're the bestest in the history of ever.
 
And to take this back to Abbott directly, here's this from the Blastfurnace thread in DT -- posted in a discussion of the massive and widespread storm-caused power outage in E. Texas (200,000 homes were without power, restoration is going to take a week):
522c397e8b3bc11c2d34761e0c66ead0.png
That's price gouging!  It's illegal, by specific state statute!
I mean....it WOULD be....if Abbott ever got around to declaring a disaster, which he can do in about 5 minutes, with a form that's already mostly filled out and a stroke of the pen.  See, the statute only kicks in if there's an actual state or federal disaster declaration.  If not....well, what you see above is totally legal, totally cool.
Abbott has absolutely and completely abdicated his role as Governor of the State of Texas.  He's decided to instead dedicate 100% of his time and effort to being a dancing MAGA clown or somesuch, except no dancing.  He's hot garbage, and every second he is in power costs Texans stacks of money, not to mention suffering and death.  He is a net negative.  We would actually -- for real, at this point in time -- be better off with Dan Patrick as governor.  That's how fucking bad it is.

I believe he signed a disaster declaration on the 17th.
Posted
2 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

 

Abbott has absolutely and completely abdicated his role as Governor of the State of Texas.  He's decided to instead dedicate 100% of his time and effort to being a dancing MAGA clown or somesuch, except no dancing.  He's hot garbage, and every second he is in power costs Texans stacks of money, not to mention suffering and death.  He is a net negative.  We would actually -- for real, at this point in time -- be better off with Dan Patrick as governor.  That's how fucking bad it is.


100% this. The man turned into a tyrant terror. Those two billionaires are getting their moneys worth 

when’s the last time he’s had an open / unscripted news conference ? Actually taking questions and answering 

Posted
That shit drives up insurance premiums. Which are already fucking doubling in some cases. Goddamnit.
They are out of control. I've never made a single claim in 22 years of driving and my premiums are outrageous. My cars aren't even new or especially nice.
Posted

IIRC correctly, he had just graduated law school and was prepping for the bar exam when the incident happened.  It would be reasonable to assume that he was between insurance plans before he started at B&B.  And while he filed for recourse (understandably), he did not immediately turn around and turn off all tort claims like some people think.  He was a centre-right jurist, AG, and first term governor that I had issues with but was not a completely unreasonable man.  He was a voice of reason to a batshit element of our state.  

This has been going on for two years though.  The worse his outlook gets for being an even remotely considerable contender for the GOP nomination, the crazier he behaves.  The original play was garner a few percent, hid hard right, make sure Texas is all sewn up just in case, and then ride that into at the very least a Courts of Appeal appointment, if not SCOTUS or Cabinet.  That's all off the table now.  It's turned to a bizarre inward battle with his own state party.  This is going to get very, very weird.  And we are all of us, going to suffer.  humblebrag/ Dan Patrick's biggest benefactor got half in the bag the other night at that hotel over off 360/2244.  He loves to be the prognosticator, even more than me.  And he certainly has the funds and connections to do it, unlike me.  And he laid down his drink, ran his hands through his hair, and confessed, "I have no fucking idea where this is going but it's not going to end well for Texas."  Then we hit on the waitress, but I'm honestly fucking worried.  

Posted
47 minutes ago, YGIFS said:

The original play was garner a few percent, hid hard right, make sure Texas is all sewn up just in case, and then ride that into at the very least a Courts of Appeal appointment, if not SCOTUS or Cabinet.  That's all off the table now.  It's turned to a bizarre inward battle with his own state party.  This is going to get very, very weird. 

He's going to push a lot of people into voting (D) (or rather get a lot of people out to vote), or at the very least, make a lot of Republicans in Texas wonder what the fuck is going on and not in a good way.  I wonder if he realizes that.  He's fucking lucky it'll be a Presidential year. I'm not saying he's putting the state into play just yet, but the irrational bullshit is not a good look for somebody who wants a cushy appointment or cabinet job.

Posted
1 hour ago, Kel Varnsen said:

high quality GIF

Patrick, Paxton, Abbott, and the Texas legislature are scared shitless that the state is going to flip, else they wouldn't be taking over the Harris County elections.  Gotta give the Republicans credit, they don't hide their fears.

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Posted

coming soon to any Texas county with a Whole Foods .......

Step #1 - get rid of county wide voting, vote in any precinct (done)

Step #2 - get control of voting in only 'some' Texas counties (work in progress)

 Step #3 - Profit !

 

FzEh6F8agAky-ZX?format=jpg&name=medium

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Posted
2 hours ago, 4th&amp;Five said:

jacksepticeye GIF

Not really. The taxpayers pay for a security detail to drive him around wherever he wants 24/7. Not only will he get a state sponsored escort to the polls, he gets to cut to the front of the line to vote, you know for security reasons.

Posted
On 6/19/2023 at 9:39 PM, atomheartbevo said:

Wait he was uninsured?  Is that real?  Everybody else had to step in and pay his bills?

I was uninsured through law school because I couldn't afford it and wasn't going to pay it with more debt. 'Murica.

Posted

Trey Martinez Fischer and Eddie Rodriguez had a very comprehensive and smart blueprint for turning out Hispanic voters, but more importantly appealing to moderate/centre-left/centre-right Hispanic voters...particularly in suburbs and gentrifying urban areas.  And of course, their leadership wiped their ass with it and now you see what's happening in the RGV.  And that's going to keep happening.  

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Posted
58 minutes ago, YGIFS said:

Trey Martinez Fischer and Eddie Rodriguez had a very comprehensive and smart blueprint for turning out Hispanic voters, but more importantly appealing to moderate/centre-left/centre-right Hispanic voters...particularly in suburbs and gentrifying urban areas.  And of course, their leadership wiped their ass with it and now you see what's happening in the RGV.  And that's going to keep happening.  

Texas Democratic party leadership is the Greg Davis of party leadership.

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Posted

Wrong, it was based on 1980's horrible action movie actor, Michael Ironside.  And his acting coach?  You guessed it!  Frank Stallone.  

 

Posted
6 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

Putin and abbott are both dictators. Who’s going to take the dictator in Austin ?

If we’re shooting par, Don Huffines will lead a convoy to Austin, only to divert to ABIA for the next flight to exile into New Mexico.

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Posted
On 6/22/2023 at 5:53 PM, Brisketexan said:

Texas Democratic party leadership is the Greg Davis of party leadership.

They just need to find their “VY”

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Posted

https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/editorial/article/editorial-abbott-s-veto-tantrum-no-way-to-lead-18167669.php

Editorial: Abbott’s veto tantrum is no way to lead

In a flash of power, Gov. Greg Abbott recently vetoed 77 bills passed during the 88th legislative session. But whether this achieves his goal of bringing vouchers to Texas and instituting his preferred version of property tax reform remains to be seen.

What is clear is that he sacrificed good policies that would have served Texans.

 

Spoiler

In a flash of power, Gov. Greg Abbott recently vetoed 77 bills passed during the 88th legislative session. But whether this achieves his goal of bringing vouchers to Texas and instituting his preferred version of property tax reform remains to be seen.

What is clear is that he sacrificed good policies that would have served Texans.

The victims of his veto pen included many bipartisan bills with wide voter support on noncontroversial issues, including one from San Antonio-area legislators that aimed to help prevent dog maulings.

House Bill 4759, or the Ramon Najera Act, would have strengthened criminal penalties for repeated dog attacks and allowed confidential reporting of vicious dogs to animal control authorities.

The proposal came after the horrific February attack in which two pit bull mixes — with a history of harassing and biting neighbors — escaped from their yard, mauling and killing Najera, an 81-year-old Air Force retiree walking on the street.

Abbott said that “existing criminal laws penalize attacks by dangerous dogs” and described the bill as “overcriminalization.”

We disagree with the veto — and his vapid rationale. The point of the legislation was to better prevent such attacks, making it easier for neighbors to be proactive in reporting potentially dangerous dogs whose owners may intimidate others into silence.

His rationale for many other vetoes was equally flaccid. Abbott essentially said some version of these bills can wait until he gets his way on property tax relief and vouchers.

For 45 bills, Abbott offered no reason other than the issue “is simply not as important as cutting property taxes.” He continued, “At this time, the Legislature must concentrate on delivering property tax cuts to Texans.”

Each “bill can be reconsidered at a future special session only after property tax relief is passed” was his conclusion in statements about the vetoes.

For another eight vetoes, the governor replaced “property tax” with “education freedom” in his statement.

We are all for property tax relief and prefer the Senate plan championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (yes, you read that correctly) because it better serves homeowners than the House plan, but this is no way to compel an agreement.

Solid legislation on the creation of municipal utility districts, police accreditation, Public Utility Commission complaint resolution, campaign expenditure reporting, bond reform, academic Fresh Start to help students with higher education, and transparency for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have been cast aside.

Legislation the governor killed included House Bill 3159, which would have served voters with disabilities. Voters who are paralyzed or have visual impairments could have requested an electronic ballot to mark privately and securely. Those ballots would have been printed and returned by mail.

But, no, this had to be sacrificed because lawmakers and the governor aren’t on the same page about property taxes.

Senate Bill 267, which would have assisted Texas police departments achieve accreditation, was nixed. So was a bill that would have let teachers serve on appraisal review boards.

Yes, it’s within the governor’s purview to veto legislation, but that should be made for reasons of policy. In most instances, Abbott has not articulated a compelling policy reason for these vetoes. This seems more like a tantrum.

The episode is reminiscent of Abbott’s decision in 2017 to veto five bills from then-state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, that addressed water infrastructure and security. Abbott offered no compelling rationale for those vetoes, but Larson said they were in response to his ethics bill that would have kept the governor from appointing people to boards if they had made a campaign donation of at least $2,500 in the past year.

That was no way to govern then, and it’s no way to govern now. We wonder if this tactic will produce the effects Abbott wants. Why would lawmakers support vouchers, which would decimate public schools, or his preferred property tax plan following such petty retribution?

Abbott’s veto frenzy is the second most in the history of the state. Former Gov. Rick Perry vetoed 83 bills in 2001.

In a session largely defined by regressive bills — stripping away local control, targeting transgender youth, failing to increase public education funding, failing to enact meaningful gun safety reforms but requiring a gun in every public school — Abbott has nixed a number of sound policies.

Such is the state of Texas in 2023.

 

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