Texas -- a failed state

tx 3 putt · July 14

4 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Bingo. That's the most "consequence" you'll ever see: replace generic Republican knob-gobbler exec A with Republican knob-gobbler exec B.

Chances of any material changes in policy, institutional behavior, and the like? Below zero%. Like, negative eleventy billion%. The exact same enterprise, doing the exact same things, making the exact same profits (correction....even LARGER profits, because they'll be approved for a rate hike to make up for all of the "storm-caused lost revenue and excess costs") and the exact same donations to state Republican leaders, is what you are going to see a year from now. It won't even break stride.

And again, the voters of Texas will overwhelmingly tell those same state leaders "GREAT JOB! KEEP DELIVERING MORE OF THE SAME, RIGHT UP OUR ASSES WITH NO LUBE!"

he’ll get appointed to am or ut board of regents is my 2nd guess

Bozo_Casanova · July 14

6 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

he’ll get appointed to am or ut board of regents is my 2nd guess

He’ll run for SBOE, nobody has done more to protect SE Texans from viewing online porn.

kevwun · July 14

Don't forget that Centerpoint will make a nice donation to PACs of Abbott and Patrick's choosing.

StassneyHorn · July 20

Why Have Our State’s Top Leaders Abandoned Houston?

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick have doubled down on their long-standing neglect and mistreatment of Texas's largest city.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/houston-beryl-power-outages-abbott/

I’ll do my part to start this narrative

PenelopeWitherspoon · July 20

3 hours ago, StassneyHorn said:

Why Have Our State’s Top Leaders Abandoned Houston?

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick have doubled down on their long-standing neglect and mistreatment of Texas's largest city.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/houston-beryl-power-outages-abbott/

I’ll do my part to start this narrative

They abandoned Houston because Houston votes Dem. It's fucking easy.

tx 3 putt · July 20

18 minutes ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

They abandoned Houston because Houston votes Dem. It's fucking easy.

enough voters in Houston to sway every state election, just have to show up to the polls

tx 3 putt · July 20

kevwun · July 20

But that would cut in to profits. Therefore nope.

Edited July 20 by kevwun

Captainant · July 20

56 minutes ago, kevwun said:

But that would cut in to profits. Therefore nope.

KHOU put out some good reporting on this actually

https://www.khou.com/article/news/investigations/centerpoint-bill-hurricane-beryl/285-9ae6118f-51f6-40b4-bd75-a9d8894cff11

"If I spend $1 on prevention, tree maintenance, cutting the trees down, I make two or three cents," Hirs said. "But if I spent $100 on disaster recovery, I'm going to make a significantly much greater profit. Therefore, we (utilities) kind of wait for disaster to strike."

Turns out where they make pennies on the dollar for investing in prevention, they can make fat multiples in profit by jacking up rates after a storm to """pay for repairs""". They've been compounding rate increases since 2021 now

Edited July 20 by Captainant

closetohumping · July 20

Can we still make fun of the California rolling blackouts?

Evil Bill Obrien · July 20

3 hours ago, closetohumping said:

Can we still make fun of the California rolling blackouts?

Hot Wheels and Lt Dan will definitely do that next time they have the opportunity, they have no shame.

royiv · July 20

6 hours ago, closetohumping said:

Can we still make fun of the California rolling blackouts?

Of course we can. Rolling blackouts are for pussies. We do it bigger and better in Texas.

Biff Tannen · July 20

7 hours ago, Captainant said:

KHOU put out some good reporting on this actually

https://www.khou.com/article/news/investigations/centerpoint-bill-hurricane-beryl/285-9ae6118f-51f6-40b4-bd75-a9d8894cff11

"If I spend $1 on prevention, tree maintenance, cutting the trees down, I make two or three cents," Hirs said. "But if I spent $100 on disaster recovery, I'm going to make a significantly much greater profit. Therefore, we (utilities) kind of wait for disaster to strike."

Turns out where they make pennies on the dollar for investing in prevention, they can make fat multiples in profit by jacking up rates after a storm to """pay for repairs""". They've been compounding rate increases since 2021 now

How is this not criminal? (Looks at thread title). Oh.

tx 3 putt · July 20

7 hours ago, Captainant said:

KHOU put out some good reporting on this actually

https://www.khou.com/article/news/investigations/centerpoint-bill-hurricane-beryl/285-9ae6118f-51f6-40b4-bd75-a9d8894cff11

"If I spend $1 on prevention, tree maintenance, cutting the trees down, I make two or three cents," Hirs said. "But if I spent $100 on disaster recovery, I'm going to make a significantly much greater profit. Therefore, we (utilities) kind of wait for disaster to strike."

Turns out where they make pennies on the dollar for investing in prevention, they can make fat multiples in profit by jacking up rates after a storm to """pay for repairs""". They've been compounding rate increases since 2021 now

this is what one party rule gets you

tx 3 putt · July 21

9 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

this is what one party rule gets you

Nice Guy Eddie · July 21

3 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

Don’t forget that Greg wasn’t alone in his foreign trip during Beryl. One of the people with him was a top exec of CenterPoint who was representing them with foreign business interests.

He’s not going to do anything to centerpoint that centerpoint won’t agree to behind closed doors.

Brisketexan · July 21

Don’t forget that Greg wasn’t alone in his foreign trip during Beryl. One of the people with him was a top exec of CenterPoint who was representing them with foreign business interests.
He’s not going to do anything to centerpoint that centerpoint won’t agree to behind closed doors.

This. Your Texas government is a wholly owned subsidiary of interests whose sole interest in you is how much money they can extract from your wallet (with 0% interest in actually providing you necessary services). And you keep choosing that path because…I dunno, Mexicans are scary or whatnot.
Do y’all remember this many massive grid failures and similar infrastructure disasters back when public utilities were actually…public utilities? No? Hmmmm….

NeverMarryAStripper · July 21

The brown invasion has stretched our infrastructure past its capacity obviously

tx 3 putt · July 27

tx 3 putt · July 27

Complete idiot ….

TwiceHorn · July 27

On 7/11/2024 at 11:34 AM, Ghost of LL said:

The problem here isn't deregulation. This is entirely a failure by Centerpoint, which is a transmission-and-delivery utility.

Electric generators are deregulated, as are retail utilities. But the issue here isn't with the electric generators. Unlike during the 2021 winter storm, there's plenty of electricity being generated. And the problem isn't with the retailers--all they do is read your meter and bill you anyway.

The problem this go-around is entirely with Centerpoint. And TDUs like Centerpoint are still regulated. They still operate under a certificate of convenience and necessity, which delineates a territory in which they have a monopoly. The PUC has to approve Centerpoint's rates; Centerpoint can't get a rate increase without getting the approval of the PUC.

Of course, that approval is typically forthcoming because . . . well, you know--this is Texas. Regulators aren't really there to regulate industry so much as facilitate the regulated industry's fleecing of the citizenry.

So yeah--this isn't about deregulation. This is about the failure of Greg Abbott's appointed regulators.

Have the Texas power utilities always been investor-owned, or mostly so? Referring to Centerpoint and Oncor here? They used to be more traditional utilities in the form of HP&L and DP&L, respectively. I just don't know if they were investor-owned at that point.

Investor ownership creates something of a conflict of interest, but is fairly common nationwide.

But, you are correct that the PUC has rules that seem to favor utility owners/managers over customers by allowing them to recoup losses from ratepayers, losses for which their own mismanagement is mostly responsible.

I haven't thought about this in a while, but utilities as a class of stocks are supposed to have pretty steady, if small, growth or dividend rates because they are an incumbent monopoly (which should guarantee profitable operation), the profits of which are mostly regulated.

Ghost of LL · July 27

8 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

Have the Texas power utilities always been investor-owned, or mostly so? Referring to Centerpoint and Oncor here? They used to be more traditional utilities in the form of HP&L and DP&L, respectively. I just don't know if they were investor-owned at that point.

Investor ownership creates something of a conflict of interest, but is fairly common nationwide.

But, you are correct that the PUC has rules that seem to favor utility owners/managers over customers by allowing them to recoup losses from ratepayers, losses for which their own mismanagement is mostly responsible.

I haven't thought about this in a while, but utilities as a class of stocks are supposed to have pretty steady, if small, growth or dividend rates because they are an incumbent monopoly (which should guarantee profitable operation), the profits of which are mostly regulated.

Back when they were HL&P, they were owned by the City of Houston. But at some point, the City divested itself and it became an IOU.

Eskimohorn · July 27

The brown invasion has stretched our infrastructure past its capacity obviously

Too many DEI hires at Centerpoint, Harris County, and the City of Houston. City of Austin’s homeless population also impacted service along with defunding police.

miguelito · July 28

Does Greg count as a DEI hire?

Brisketexan · July 28

Does Greg count as a DEI hire?

Damned Evil and Ignorant? Yep.

tx 3 putt · July 28

24 minutes ago, miguelito said:

Does Greg count as a DEI hire?

yes

Every job application you can state if you’re handicapped or not

Edited July 28 by tx 3 putt

Nivek · July 28

Did he call from Asia?

Your insincerity. Me all starry-eyed. You think I would have known by now.

Nivek · July 28

Delete

Nice Guy Eddie · July 30

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/texas-teachers-spend-school-supplies-states-19604960.php?sid=5eb35f0cd14307791d11019c&ss=A&st_rid=2fa7d4dd-6d4f-48a7-81ac-0fdb75dd3d65&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_campaign=HC_The713

Quote

Texas teachers outspend their counterparts from all 50 states on yearly school supply purchases for their classrooms, according to survey released Monday as educators prepare for the 2024-25 school year.

The survey, which sampled 50 teachers from each state for 2,500 teachers nationwide, found that educators in Texas spend on average $1,396 per year on school supplies for their classrooms, compared to the nationwide average of $915.

According to the survey, 93% of teachers dip into their own money for school supplies, including pens, paper, ink, classroom decorations, educational aids, cleaning supplies and even snacks.

While teachers are not required by law to purchase their own supplies, many do so anyway out of fear that their classroom learning environment would suffer if they didn’t -- a statement that 77% of survey respondents agreed with.

While this is a survey and not backed up with receipts, I'm not surprised that our teachers are shelling out this much because Texas and the ISDs fail to adequately supply the teachers and students. But then they blame those same teachers when the students don't score high enough on an exam.

Macanudo · July 30

3 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/texas-teachers-spend-school-supplies-states-19604960.php?sid=5eb35f0cd14307791d11019c&ss=A&st_rid=2fa7d4dd-6d4f-48a7-81ac-0fdb75dd3d65&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_campaign=HC_The713

While this is a survey and not backed up with receipts, I'm not surprised that our teachers are shelling out this much because Texas and the ISDs fail to adequately supply the teachers and students. But then they blame those same teachers when the students don't score high enough on an exam.

And teachers get a whole $250 tax deduction on all of those personally purchased supplies too!

atomheartbevo · July 31

Cross posting but holy shit

I knew the Houston school takeover was not a good situation, I just didn’t realize the extent of the damage being done and how urgent something needs to change. The hearing today solidified my understanding of the situation. We listened to three hours of testimony from parents, teachers, community members and even a researcher, and I have provided some of the highlights below. Thank you to Rep. Christina Morales for pulling this hearing together, and for all of the Reps who participated.

-Teaching in HISD became unbearable due to the toxic/hostile work environment.

-Teachers were bullied. One teacher had his desk taken away.

-Nearly 4,600 staff left HISD since the takeover one year ago.

-Half the principals have been removed. Some had recently earned recognition for their work.

-A teacher was fired in front of a classroom of kids because one student had a phone out during class.

-A disproportionate number of black teachers have been let go (fired).

-30 out of 40 teachers in an A-rated school left.

-Teachers experiencing depression and anxiety.

-New teachers being hired no longer need to be certified.

-They don’t have the resources to follow IEPs.

-Administrators are unresponsive and lack a connection to the schools.

-Problems revealed in the data showing improvements in student performance.

-Mike Miles has lied and there has been retaliation against teachers who speak up.

-Schools are in chaos.

-Spanish is discouraged. The dual language program doesn’t exist, but is still getting funded. Where is that funding going?

-Libraries have been closed. They were turned into detention centers, now called “team centers.” What happened to the $7 million meant for purchasing books?

-Kids were reprimanded for going to the restroom. Some would drink less water so they could last all day without going to the restroom. One child got a urinary tract infection as a result.

-Extracurriculars are no longer funded: debate, UIL, drama, speech.

-Students have lost all motivation to learn.

-Quote from a parent: “What Miles is doing is wrong for our schools.”

I felt heartbroken for the teachers, students and families dealing with such a massive mess in HISD. We must fix this! #txlege

kevwun · July 31

There have been a couple of cases were recent principals of the year were fired without cause.

mdmost · August 2

Good thing we don't worry about regulations here in business friendly Texas!

miguelito · August 2

Eh, that's nothing that the taxpayers and ratepayers of this fine state can't handle.

Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand · August 2

I wonder how much my home insurance goes up this year?

texasdago · August 2

On 7/14/2024 at 11:29 AM, Evil Bill Obrien said:

Guess it makes sense why he stayed about as far away on the planet as one could from the storm hitting his state knocking down trees, worried one might finish the job…

Do we really know that's Greg Abbott? Some people say there are doubts.

MissingInAction · August 2

3 hours ago, Al Bundy's Napoleon Hand said:

I wonder how much my home insurance goes up this year?

Insurance? EL oh el!

They are pulling out faster than a Jr on prom night.

tx 3 putt · August 2

tx 3 putt · August 5

tx 3 putt · August 6

tx 3 putt · August 6

Inexcusable ….

SpiralOut · August 6

On 8/2/2024 at 8:17 AM, mdmost said:

Good thing we don't worry about regulations here in business friendly Texas!

Having built and worked on a ton of lines on oilfield leases, you'd be shocked at the state of some of them. I'm talking poles that haven't been changed out since Nixon was in office. If the wells those lines service are only doing 1-2 barrels a day (if that), nothing is being done to maintain those lines past does it get power to the well.

I remember one pole I worked on was damn near cracked in half. The operator adamantly refused to change it out though. So I ended up running multiple 12" bolts through it and cranking down on them to try and hold it together.

In the article they mention one of the fires was started because a metal conduit wasn't strapped down to the goddamn pole. Either someone with no license whatsoever was out there doing that work or the pole has been there for so long that the wind worked the straps loose. Which, yeah, I've seen happen more than once. And guess what? They're talking about suing to try and get compensated for the fires? Good fucking luck. Oilfield outfits will up and disappear on your ass before you know there's even a problem. Bankruptcy, change names, change leases, back to doing business. We had one outfit that we'd only do work for if they paid in advance with a credit card. According to the pumpers, the whole thing was one big money laundering scheme. These guys never took care of their shit, paid late or not at all, and you could never find the dude in charge. Except for the one time a Saudi guy showed up in his lifted Hummer with a pair of call girls, of course.

When things froze over real bad a couple of years back, this shitty ol' line broke from the weight of the ice. Caught the pole on fire and it was still burning days later when we showed up to fix it. Also killed a couple of horses and a skunk that happened to wander over and step on the downed wire. Luckily it was February on the top of a mountain so there wasn't really any chance for it to burn a bunch of shit down.

Nice Guy Eddie · August 6

Dump of a few Texas noteworthy items lately.

survey that 70% of Texans support school vouchers. Perhaps Dems and rural republicans need to get somewhat onboard with Abbott to at least get something their way. Fighting the inevitable can be a losing cause for your constituents. (I’m not a fan of vouchers but can accept reality.)

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/two-thirds-texans-support-school-vouchers-new-19604424.php

while I hate him, I give Lt. Patrick props that he met with the Chronicle to provide his side of the story why Texas responded the way it did with Beryl. Seems legit and he didn’t need this interview. I actually like that Texas at least says it doesn’t need FEMA for a few days.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/dan-patrick-beryl-fema-texas-a-m-kidd-19610240.php

On the more positive front, here is a west Texas oil worker worth a follow on TikTok. Looks like his channel points out how poor of a job by the industry and railroad commission. The environment is a disaster. While the situation is negative, we need him pointing out the problems. EDIT: he’s exploring a run for RRC.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNbLAN35/

Edited August 6 by Nice Guy Eddie

mdmost · August 6

Almost like it's by design to push people to vouchers.

Satchel · August 6

6 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Dump of a few Texas noteworthy items lately.

survey that 70% of Texans support school vouchers. Perhaps Dems and rural republicans need to get somewhat onboard with Abbott to at least get something their way. Fighting the inevitable can be a losing cause for your constituents. (I’m not a fan of vouchers but can accept reality.)

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/two-thirds-texans-support-school-vouchers-new-19604424.php

while I hate him, I give Lt. Patrick props that he met with the Chronicle to provide his side of the story why Texas responded the way it did with Beryl. Seems legit and he didn’t need this interview. I actually like that Texas at least says it doesn’t need FEMA for a few days.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/dan-patrick-beryl-fema-texas-a-m-kidd-19610240.php

On the more positive front, here is a west Texas oil worker worth a follow on TikTok. Looks like his channel points out how poor of a job by the industry and railroad commission. The environment is a disaster. While the situation is negative, we need him pointing out the problems. EDIT: he’s exploring a run for RRC.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNbLAN35/

I think a lot of parents have warmed to the idea of sending their kids to schools that don’t have to accept “problem kids.” If they can get help from the state to send their kids to Prestonwood, Jesuit or Midland Classical, then all the better. Who cares that public schools must carry the weight that privates could care less about.

tx 3 putt · August 12

Willfully Horn · August 12

If you have no guns, you can’t defend against unarmed folks, and running your bitch mouth becomes more of a risk.

Biff Tannen · August 12

28 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

2:30 kickoff gonna be lit. Please don’t shoot me.

MrBig · August 12

On 8/6/2024 at 2:49 PM, Satchel said:

I think a lot of parents have warmed to the idea of sending their kids to schools that don’t have to accept “problem kids.” If they can get help from the state to send their kids to Prestonwood, Jesuit or Midland Classical, then all the better. Who cares that public schools must carry the weight that privates could care less about.

Parents like this don’t understand that while school vouchers make it a possibility to send your child to an expensive private school, there is no law requiring these schools to accept students who are trying to use the vouchers.

YChang · August 12

15 minutes ago, MrBig said:

Parents like this don’t understand that while school vouchers make it a possibility to send your child to an expensive private school, there is no law requiring these schools to accept students who are trying to use the vouchers.

Seriously… talk about a classic fuck around and find out situation. Or admit but then triple the tuitions kind of deal.

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