Must Read Texas – December 4, 2013

Dewhurst Calls for $60M for Border Security; Davis Earned $284k in 2012;
TT Asks All Statewides for Tax Returns; MRT on TV
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Good morning from Austin.
Here’s the quick brief as it’s a busy time:

Your absolute must clicks:
> Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R-TX), who is seeking reelection, called for $60 million in border security funding.
> Gubernatorial candidate and State Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) earned $284,000 in 2012, according to her just released tax returns.
> The Texas Tribune asked all the statewide candidates to release the last three years of their tax returns.  Here’s the report on how the candidates responded.

MRT ON TV

Last night, MRT co-founder Jason Stanford (@JasStanford) and I appeared on KTBC Fox Austin to discuss the all-important anglo women vote in the 2014 Governor’s race.
On Tuesday night, Stanford and I debated the Texas economic model vs. the California model.
Jason and I hope you will watch these segments and offer sartorial advice.

#txlege
– Outgoing Texas A&M president R. Bown Loftin will be the new president at the University of Missouri.
– TM’s Paul Burka weighs in on State Rep. Sarah Davis’ (R-Houston).

2013 / 2014 / 2016:
– Daily Beast’s Dave Catanese reports on Gov. Rick Perry’s (R-TX) recent political trip to Spartanburg, SC.
– Texas Tribune polling outfit reports on the negative poll ratings of President Obama and how that’s a drag for Texas Democrats.
– TT reports on Agriculture Commissioner candidate Eric Opiela’s focus on “fighting for rural communities.”

Other stories of interest:
– Texans feature prominently on list of most philanthropic Americans.
– A construction worker at Kyle Field in College Station died one day after falling four stories.
– Next year the Formula 1 race in Austin will be the same weekend as the NASCAR race in DFW.

Lighter clicks:
– A wonderful potential Christmas present for Batkid.
– Remember MTV veejay Kennedy form the 1990s? She’s headed to Fox Business Network.
– Ron Burgundy is co-hosting Sportscenter tonight.  Here’s Burgundy interviewing Peyton Manning.
– President Obama hopes to host “Sportscenter” after he retires.
– Magic Johnson’s trophy room is a sight to behold.
– Tim Tebow as college football analyst is causing a three network bidding war.
– Nice shot here from former Longhorn basketball player and now Boston Celtic Avery Bradley.
– The new “House of Cards” season two trailer is out. (The trailer will underwhelm you)
– The final draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be released Friday morning (televised live on ESPN).

Your Daily Source of Inspiration:
– Abilene, TX restaurant closes for employee ‘attitude adjustment.

NEWS

TT: Loftin to Become Chancellor of University of Missouri (12/5/13 1:08pm)

AP: Dewhurst calls for $60 million to beef up border security (12/5/13 1:06pm)

AP: Wendy Davis made $284,000 in 2012, according to her tax return (12/5/13 1:05pm)

AP: Former Texas A&M president is new MU chancellor (12/5/13 1:05pm)

AP: ‘Much loved’ Austin teacher killed in Benghazi (12/5/13 1:04pm)

TT: Most Statewide Candidates Won’t Release Tax Returns (12/5/13 1:04pm)

TT: Polling Center: Obama Weighs Heavily on Texas Democrats (12/5/13 1:02pm)

DMN: For the first time, Dallas sues a developer solely for violating city’s tree ordinance (12/5/13 12:40pm)

DMN: North Texas Food Bank asks public for help raising $7 million before end of the month (12/5/13 12:39pm)

DMN: Cornyn rival Maxey Scherr takes aim… at Ted Cruz (12/5/13 12:35pm)

DMN: Fort Worth United Way exec says group will obey any Texas edict for Obamacare “navigators” (12/5/13 12:34pm)

FWST ($): Fort Worth police recognizes officers for bravery, service (12/5/13 12:25pm)

FWST ($): Former West paramedic sentenced to federal prison (12/5/13 12:23pm)

FWST ($): Davis income from law firm increased last year (12/5/13 12:20pm)

CHRON ($): Only a third of those summoned for jury duty show up (12/5/13 12:03pm)

CHRON ($): Galveston anti-public housing lawsuit follows opponents’ script (12/5/13 12pm)

CHRON ($): Civil rights groups want Taser ban in Texas schools (12/5/13 11:58am)

CHRON: John Cornyn: Benghazi has been “a cover-up from the very beginning” (12/5/13 11:45am)

CHRON: Texans on Science Committee eager to explore life beyond earth (12/5/13 11:44am)

CHRON: Wendy Davis releases tax returns (12/5/13 11:44am)

SAEN ($): Sculley to earn more (12/5/13 11:39am)

SAEN ($): Planning commission OKs closing Main for H-E-B (12/5/13 11:39am)

SAEN ($): 2014 voter registration cards in the mail soon (12/5/13 11:39am)

AAS ($): Civil rights groups protest stun gun use on students (12/5/13 11:26am)

AAS ($): DPS ends South Texas checkpoints (12/5/13 11:26am)

AAS ($): Austin could buy, preserve 607 acres in Hays County for $18 million (12/5/13 11:24am)

DAILY BEAST: Rick Perry Can’t Quit Campaigning (12/5/13 11:22am)

TT: Report: Texas Water Woes Need Market Solution (12/5/13 11:21am)

TT: Opiela Touts Record Fighting for Rural Communities (12/5/13 11:20am)

KTBC FOX AUSTIN: Debating Wendy Davis and women voters (12/5/13 10;49am)

KTBC FOX AUSTIN: Debating Texas vs. California (12/5/13 10:49am)

TT: Governor’s Race Draws Spotlight on Red Light Cameras (12/5/13 10:45am)

TPM: Paramedic At Texas Plant Blast Sentenced To 21 Months In Prison (12/5/13 10:14am)

KVUE ABC AUSTIN: Operation aims to put dent in Mexican cartel business (12/5/13 10:13am)

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER: McDermott messes with Texas (12/5/13 10:13am)

ROLL CALL: The $2 Billion Campaign Against John Cornyn (12/5/13 10:10am)

KILLEEN DAILY HERALD: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz meets with Killeen officials (12/4/13 2:36pm)

TT: State Gets Federal OK to Boost Medicaid Payments (12/4/13 1:21pm)

TT: For Groundwater, Political Boundaries Trump Natural Ones (12/4/13 10:58am)

TT: Supporters of Mérida Cite Successes From Aid Package (12/4/13 10:57am)

TT / KUHF: Subsidies for Plant Construction Stir Legal, Financial Concerns (12/4/13 10:57am)

TT: TDI Proposes New Rules for Health Navigators (12/4/13 10:56am)

DES MOINES REGISTER: Branstad’s fundraising trip to Texas criticized (12/4/13 10:53am)

THE STATE: Texas Gov. Perry schmoozing in Upstate (12/4/13 10:53am)

EDITORIALS

BURKA BLOG: The Legacy of T.R. Fehrenbach (12/5/13 12:46pm)

BURKA BLOG: The Life and Fines of Nathan Hecht (12/5/13 12:46pm)

BURKA BLOG: Does John Smithee Want to Be Speaker? (12/5/13 12:45pm)

BURKA BLOG: A Challenge for Sarah Davis (12/5/13 12:45pm)

DMN: UT-Arlington’s new partnership will create a college-going culture (12/5/13 12:41pm)

DMN: Dallas City Council needs to fix its housing policies (12/5/13 12:40pm)

FWST ($): Beloved Post Office a grand City Hall? (12/5/13 12:29pm)

FWST ($): Expansion of Texas 360 could move a step closer (12/5/13 12:28pm)

FWST ($): Zip (12/5/13 12:27pm)

ELP TIMES: Cheating, to what extent? (12/5/13 12:18pm)

CHRON: Secret police beating (12/5/13 11:51am)

CHRON: Vote for these candidates (12/5/13 11:51am)

CHRON: Steve Stockman’s antics (12/5/13 11:50am)

SAEN: Time for pragmatism with Karzai (12/5/13 11:37am)

SAEN: South San overdue for culture shift (12/5/13 11:37am)

SAEN: Children hungry, even in Texas (12/5/13 11:36am)

AAS ($): It’s time to turn off the ethanol pump (12/5/13 11:30am)

AAS ($): T.R. Fehrenbach’s ‘Lone Star’ captured Texas spirit as well as its history (12/5/13 11:29am)

COLUMNS

LEUBSDORF: How Obama’s own shortcomings undercut Obamacare (12/5/13 12:43pm)

C. SESSION: State fire marshal is my Texan of the Year (12/5/13 12:43pm)

BOUDREAUX ($): LNG exports way to boost economy (12/5/13 12:33pm)

LONGWELL ($): Prohibition is alive and well (12/5/13 12:32pm)

MCLERNON: Texas’ economy stands taller thanks to global investment (12/5/13 11:52am)

WEINSTEIN: Federal fracking regulations could boost energy costs (12/5/13 11:52am)

CHASNOFF ($): Greenblum benefits from broad interpretation of charter (12/5/13 11:39am)

LEDFORD: Does city want Heidi Search Center to survive? (12/5/13 11:37am)

PADILLA: School districts add assault weapons to arsenals (12/5/13 11:34am)

MORRIS ($): Consider your Medicare options carefully (12/5/13 11:32am)

U.S. SEN. CRUZ: Obama administration has Iran interim agreement backwards (12/4/13 2:36pm)

JONES: Anglo Women the Key for Texas Democrats (12/4/13 10:58am)

FMR. SECRETARY NORTON & COMPTROLLER COMBS: Endangered-species fixes possible (12/4/13 10:55am)

PRESIDENT POWERS: Research leader is my Texan of the Year (12/3/13 11:45am)

MCKENZIE: Understanding religion is central to understanding global conflicts (12/3/13 11:45am)

BEGLEY ($): ‘Round these parts, traffic circles catching on (12/3/13 10:27am)

SNYDER ($): Thanks for Operation Home Cooking (12/3/13 9:32am)

MARKELZ ($): Warrior and Family Support Center, now 10, gives thanks (12/3/13 9:32am)

BAY ($): Trust but verify: Missing in 2013 (12/3/13 9:31am)

CHASNOFF ($): Local street racing still a problem (12/3/13 9:30am)

AYALA ($): Latinos impatient with Obama’s dispassion on immigration (12/3/13 9:30am)

BLOGS (from the left)

WASHINGTON MONTHLY: The Awful Specter of Perry ‘16 (12/5/13 11:01am)

TFN INSIDER: The Mythical ‘War on Christmas’ in Texas Schools (12/3/13 12:33pm)

BLOGS (from the right)

EMPOWER TEXANS: Debra Medina: Comptroller Candidate, Straus Supporter (12/5/13 12:48pm)

EMPOWER TEXANS: Lobbyists/Lackeys Fundraising for Opiela (12/5/13 12:48pm)

EMPOWER TEXANS: Lubbock Establishment Runs Tax Raiser Against Rep. Charles Perry (12/5/13 12:47pm)

OFFICE OF SEN. CRUZ: Cruz on Iranian Prisoner Abedini: Unconscionable that Top American Diplomats Did Not Mention His Name (12/5/13 12pm)

OFFICE OF SEN. CRUZ: Cruz: Reid Decision To Exempt Staff From Obamacare Latest Example of Washington Disconnect (12/4/13 4:19pm)

THE BLAZE: Texas Sen. who led pro-abortion filibuster is getting hounded after her comments on children (12/4/13 4:10pm)

DEWHURST CAMPAIGN: New video, “Keep Texas #1” (12/3/13 4:13pm)

BIG JOLLY POLITICS: Todd Staples leads race for worst press release (12/3/13 11:50am)

BIG JOLLY POLITICS: Fourteenth court of appeals to hear James Jenkins vs State of Texas (12/3/13 11:50am)

BIG JOLLY POLITICS: Dan Branch backs HB2, legislative process (12/3/13 11:49am)

TPPF: Rule Could Mean Lights Out in Texas (12/3/13 11:48am)

TPPF: (Not) Cheaper by the Dozen (12/3/13 11:48am)

EMPOWER TEXANS: Freedom’s Unlikely Enemy (12/3/13 11:47am)

Author: Must Read Texas

Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) & Jason Stanford http://www.MustReadTexas.com @MustReadTexas