The Evening Brief: Dec. 5, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   Perry Touts Tort Reform, Stem Cells Research at New York Conference: "In New York on Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry bragged about his home state's many strengths, praising two of his signature health care initiatives — tort reform and stem cell research — in an interview with Steve Forbes."

•   Interactive: Comparing Medicaid Expansion Scenarios for All States: If Texas lawmakers expand Medicaid, the spending, savings, enrollment growth and reduction in the number of uninsured would be greater in Texas than in most other states. This interactive compares Medicaid expansion scenarios in each state.

•   Texplainer: What Does a Vice Chancellor for Diversity Do?: "One year ago, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp moved one of his vice chancellors, Frank Ashley, into a new position unlike any in the state's university systems: vice chancellor for recruitment and diversity."

•   Bill Would Require Police to Record Interrogations: "Advocates for a bill requiring police to record interrogations argue it could prevent innocent people from confessing to crimes they didn't commit. Some in law enforcement worry the requirement would make it harder to try cases."

Culled:

•   Dick Armey cites ethical lapses at FreedomWorks, explains resignation on FBN (The Dallas Morning News): "In an interview that will air tonight on FOX Business Network’s Cavuto (7pm Dallas time), former House Majority Leader Dick Armey says he resigned as chairman of FreedomWorks because of 'serious concerns about the ethical and moral behavior of the senior leadership.'"

•   Sen. John Cornyn to leave Senate Armed Services Committee (Houston Chronicle): "With his new assignment as second-in-command of Senate Republicans, Sen. John Cornyn signaled today that he will relinquish his membership on the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee in order to retain seats on the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee."