Must Read Texas – October 21, 2013

Early Voting Starts Today for Nov. Election, with Voter ID in Place;
$50 Million Gift Brings Naming Rights for UT College of Communication
Mackowiak & Stanford on Cornyn’s Reelection
*****
Good morning from Austin.
Here’s the brief:

EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY, WITH VOTER ID IN PLACE Continue reading “Must Read Texas – October 21, 2013”

Must Read Texas – October 20, 2013

Next Round of Abortion Fight Begins;
Cruz Defiant on ABC, CNN Sunday Shows;
Cruz Returns to Texas for Events;
1,000+ Attend Alamo Gun Rally
*****
Good evening from Austin.
Sorry we are late.

Going through the Ted Cruz clips today was particularly taxing. Continue reading “Must Read Texas – October 20, 2013”

Must Read Texas – October 17, 2013

Creighton Out, Miller In, Merritt Mulling;
Comptroller Race Heats Up;
Branch Promises Voter Fraud Task Force
****
Good (late) afternoon from New Orleans.
I’ve been constantly on the go since 7am and thus an earlier email was unfortunately impossible.

Here’s the (short) brief:

FIELD SHIFTS IN AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RACE Continue reading “Must Read Texas – October 17, 2013”

Must Read Texas – October 15, 2013

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to EPA Global Warming Rules;
Perry Heads to London, Israel; Wallace Hall, Jeff Sandefer Team Up;
Dewhurst Calls for Obama’s Impeachment
*****
Good afternoon from Austin.
Here’s the brief:

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CHALLENGE TO EPA’s GLOBAL WARMING RULES Continue reading “Must Read Texas – October 15, 2013”

Must Read Texas – October 14,2013

Pro Perry Group TV Ads Start Tomorrow;
Robert Miller Previews 2014 Legislative Races;
UT/TT Poll Finds Water Fund Supported 52-19
*****
Good morning from Temple, TX.
Here’s the brief:

PERRY APPEARING IN ANTI-DC ADS

Politico’s Alex Burns reports:

An advocacy group tied to Texas Gov. Rick Perry is poised to launch a six-figure national ad campaign criticizing dysfunction in Washington and declaring that “conservative governors” are leading the way with policy solutions, POLITICO has learned.

Americans for Economic Freedom, a conservative 501(c)4 nonprofit, will run TV ads for 10 days on Fox News, MSNBC and CNBC, as well as radio ads on a host of nationally syndicated shows. The television commercials feature Perry talking about the work of Republican state executives outside D.C.

The ads will hit the TV and radio airwaves Tuesday, against a backdrop of historic public disgust with Washington, D.C., as the federal government remains shut down and teetering on the edge of defaulting on its debts.

“Washington needs to change, but the president keeps playing politics,” Perry, the former 2012 presidential candidate, says in the ad. “Conservative leadership is putting people back to work, and families are building their futures. We need more of that and less of Washington.”

He specifically mentions balancing state budgets and “reforming taxes and regulations” as signature gubernatorial accomplishments.

Perry, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek a fourth full term as governor in 2014, has toured the country in recent months touting his record of job creation in Texas. Under the banner of AEF, he has visited states such as California and Missouri, and run ads in Maryland, making the case that companies in Democratic-run states should relocate to conservative-led states like Texas.

While the group is not technically an electioneering entity, its activities have the effect of keeping Perry in the public eye as he weighs another possible White House bid in 2016.

The message of the new AEF campaign — that Americans should look to state capitals for economic leadership — is one that other GOP governors have also pushed amid the ongoing budget standoff in Washington, which polls show has taken a significant toll on the Republican Party brand. Earlier this month, the Republican Governors Association unveiled a digital ad push highlighting the “American comeback” in states governed by Republicans.

ROBERT MILLER PREVIEWS 2014 LEGISLATIVE RACES

Locke Lord’s Robert Miller previews the 15 competitive State House districts and and one State Senate in the 2014 cycle.

TT/UT POLL FINDS WATER FUND SUPPORTED 52-19

TT’s Neena Satija reports that a new poll conducted by the Texas Tribune and the University of Texas, finds 52 percent supporting this November’s constitutional amendment to create a $2 billion water fund.
Only 19 percent opposed, while 24 percent were undecided.

#txlege
– DMN’s David Barer reports that while state leaders are pushing for the public to support this November’s constitutional amendment for water infrastructure, critics are asking why the $2 billion is needed when billions of dollars in financing is already available and sits unused.

2013 / 2014 / 2016:
– SAEN/Chron’s Peggy Fikac’s weekly column asks (behind paywall) if there would be a government shutdown if U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) were not in the Senate. 

Other stories of interest:
– AAS’ Kate Alexander reports (behind paywall) that only four charter schools in Austin appear to qualify for the expansion passed by the Texas Legislature.
– Veterans 
broke through barricades at the WWII Memorial Sunday.

Lighter clicks:
– Banksy sold art in New York and no one knew.
– Enjoy retirement, Detective Munch.
– Catching up with Pat Green.
– Jack Ingram trades Nashville for Texas.
– NYT/IHT on Austin’s hotel boom.
– They take their “football” losses especially hard in Panama. (Bad language)
– Bill Simmons on Magic’s NBA Countdown departure.
– Keep your eye on 6’9″ Texas-based hoops prospect Elijah Thomas.
– NBC’s Bob Costas calls the Washington Redskins mascot a “slur.”
– The crowd at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, broke an international noise level record (137.5 decibels) on Sunday.
– Today’s celebration of Cleveland Browns continual failure.
– This guy’s an idiot.
– Hey Rory: Get a sense of humor.
– This guy needs de-caf immediately.

Your Daily Source of Inspiration:
– This will inspire you.

NEWS

WFAA ABC DALLAS: Inside Texas Politics (10/13/13 10:58pm)

AP: Among social conservatives, a pocketbook message (10/13/13 10:52pm)

AP: Immigration is the issue that can cut both ways (10/13/13 10:50pm)

TT: Kinky Friedman to Run for Ag Commissioner as a Democrat (10/13/13 10:49pm)

WASH POST: Ted Cruz thrives in the company of true believers (10/13/13 10:49pm)

WASH POST: The shutdown has shown: What’s good for Ted Cruz is not good for the Republican Party (10/13/13 10:48pm)

DMN: Shutdown theater: Sen. Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin rally at World War II Memorial (10/13/13 10:46pm)

KXAS NBC DALLAS: Seven State Fair Vendors Caught Selling Alcohol to Teenage Decoy (10/13/13 10:45pm)

FWST ($): Tarrant lawmaker backs George P. (10/13/13 10:44pm)

FWST ($): In one year, Wright Amendment flight restrictions go away (10/13/13 10:43pm)

FWST ($): Bell Helicopter union votes to ratify new contract (10/13/13 10:15pm)

FWST ($): Liquor sales should give Arlington economic boost, but exactly how much remains unclear (10/13/13 10:14pm)

CHRON ($): Industry puts dollars behind water proposition (10/13/13 10:12pm)

CHRON ($): Experience in government, business touted in At Large 3 race (10/13/13 10:10pm)

CHRON ($): Illegal racetrack operation halted, 9 people arrested (10/13/13 10:09pm)

CHRON ($): Former astronaut trying to lead humans to distant stars (10/13/13 10:08pm)

CHRON (Fuel Fix): Senate passes bill to enact U.S.-Mexico oil treaty (10/13/13 9:52pm)

SAEN ($): Immigration front and center in lieutenant governor race (10/13/13 9:31pm)

SAEN ($): Improving child literacy still a challenge (10/13/13 9:30pm)

AAS ($): The promise and challenge of the Latino job puzzle (10/13/13 9:10pm)

AAS ($): Lottery commission’s accounting lapse results in $50,000 loss (10/13/13 9:09pm)

TIME MAGAZINE: Cruz, Palin Protest at WWII Memorial (10/13/13 9pm)

HUFFINGTON POST: Rick Perry Plays Peacekeeper In Congress’ Budget Saga (10/13/13 7:38pm)

CBS NEWS: Exit Ted Cruz, enter Paul Ryan (10/13/13 7:37pm)

THE ATLANTIC: Inside the Conservative Bubble, It Looks Like Ted Cruz Is Winning Big (10/13/13 7:35pm)

ELP TIMES: Texas Governor’s race: Hispanic vote key factor in election (10/13/13 7:32pm)

EDITORIALS

DMN: Houston, we need your help on Prop. 6 (10/13/13 10:47pm)

DMN: We recommend Solis in DISD District 8 (10/13/13 10:47pm)

BLOGS (from the left)

HARD HATTERS: Texas Democrats Are Surprisingly Successful In Austin (10/13/13 7:38pm)

BOR: Sen. Wendy Davis Addresses Democratic Executive Committee in Galveston (10/13/13 7:36pm)

RAW STORY: House Democrat thanks Ted Cruz for boosting Obamacare (10/13/13 7:33pm)

BLOGS (from the right)

PJ TATLER: Wendy Davis Campaign, Battleground Texas, Misfire Again with Insensitive Attack on Texas Attorney General (10/13/13 8:32pm)

TOWNHALL: Email from Texas Liberal Group Mocks Greg Abbott’s Disability (10/13/13 7;35pm)

GATEWAY PUNDIT: Terrific! Ted Cruz Lectures Obama During White House Meeting (10/13/13 7:34pm)

THE RIGHT SCOOP: McCain asked about Obama denying death benefits to military families, BLAMES TED CRUZ (10/13/13 7:23pm)

Must Read Texas – October 13, 2013

CRUZ WINS VALUES VOTER SUMMIT STRAW POLL;
DEM ATTORNEY SAM HOUSTON TO RUN FOR AG?
*****
Good late evening from Austin.
It’s been a long and exhausting weekend.
Thanks for you patience.

I saw a number of MRT readers this weekend in Dallas.
Thank you for reading — and for the kind words. Continue reading “Must Read Texas – October 13, 2013”