The Brief: December 9, 2009

THE BIG CONVERSATION:

Gov. Rick Perry has some things to say about the federal government.  Hint: They are not good.

This afternoon in La Porte, Perry will hold a press conference regarding proposed federal cap and trade legislation and a recent ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency that carbon dioxide emissions are a danger to public health — a classification that allows the government to regulate them.

Perry already released some of his thoughts on the EPA ruling.

“It is unconscionable that unelected bureaucrats at the EPA have declared carbon dioxide a public danger despite a lack of scientific evidence to support their ruling,” he said in a statement. “We have already seen a sweeping expansion of federal authority, federal takeovers and federal spending under the Obama Administration. Today’s ruling continues a pattern of aggressive federal encroachment into every farm, business, church and household in America.”

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, who will be heading to the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen next week, joined in the criticism, citing recently discovered e-mails by climate researchers that cast doubt on the scientific foundation of global-warming theories. Barton said the EPA action “mimics the e-mails in one respect – it demonstrates that public relations priorities rather than straightforward science are driving U.S. policymaking on global warming,"

Meanwhile, Perry’s opponent will spend the day working on a different federal issue.  U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison will be in Washington, DC, participating in the ongoing debate over healthcare reform

CULLED:

• With the future availability of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's seat an unknown, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has filed for reelection. Dewhurst, a Republican, is considered by many a likely replacement for Hutchison — but with the filing deadline less than a month away, he decided to hold onto his current post…for now. 

•Former Speaker of the Houst Tom Craddick, R-Midland, has also filed for re-election.  He is seeking his 21^st term.

• This afternoon, Italian eatery Carmelo's in Austin will be the setting for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Farouk Shami's first capital city event since announcing for governor. The Houston-based haircare executive has said he will stay in the race for governor despite Mayor Bill White's recent entry. He's opened campaign offices in Dallas and San Antonio this week, but is still looking for top level staff after a shakeup last Friday.

• Higher education groupies will want to head to the Austin area, where Presidents of University of Texas System campuses will spend the day with regents in a planning retreat that will focus on the tough economic climate. According to the Associated Press, a UT System spokesman said "the estimated $9,200 cost will be covered by earnings on donations to support system initiatives.”

“DWM, DIVORCED WHITE MALE WITH KIDS, 63, REPUBLICAN LAND COMMISSIONER SEEKS DEMOCRAT OPPONENT FOR 11 MONTH RELATIONSHIP. MUST ENJOY TRAVELING AROUND TEXAS, LONG WALKS ON THE BEACH DISCUSSING COASTAL EROSION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING, AND SHARING STORIES WITH VETERANS.  MUST BE EMOTIONALLY PREPARED FOR DEFEAT. MILLIONAIRES NEED NOT APPLY.  IF INTERESTED VISIT WWW.VOTEPATTERSON.COM.” — Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson seeking an opponent

MUST READ:

• Caven's Quest, Part Two — The Texas Tribune

• Gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina to air ads about possible exclusion from KERA debate — Fort Worth Star-Telegram

• Hutchison supported redistricting? Really? Why didn't she say so at the time? — Trail Blazers

• Senate may drop public option — The Washington Post

• Unemployment to tax businesses — Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

• State plan for Ike money draws 2nd complaint — The Galveston County Daily News

• CPS chairwoman Geis will resign — San Antonio Express-News