The Evening Brief: June 14, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

• HHSC Commissioner Tom Suehs Retiring: "Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs, who has overseen the state's massive health agency since 2009, is retiring at the end of August. Suehs' announcement follows news last month that Billy Millwee, the state's Medicaid director, was retiring, leaving an even bigger void than anticipated at the top of an agency facing billions of dollars in unpaid Medicaid costs."

• Cruz Camp Says Dewhurst Stonewalling on Debates: "David Dewhurst says he's open to any debate with Ted Cruz in which the organizer has the means to broadcast the event on television. Cruz's campaign says Dewhurst is being disingenuous in saying he's open to more debates."

• Texas Constitution's "Supreme Being" Clause Targeted Again: "The Secular Coalition for America is targeting an obscure provision in the Texas Constitution that says candidates for state office must acknowledge the existence of a higher power. This isn't the first time the clause has been targeted."

Culled:

• 3rd bankruptcy in Perry's tech fund (The Associated Press): "A third company awarded taxpayer dollars through Gov. Rick Perry's business-hatching Emerging Technology Fund has filed for bankruptcy, folding after the state cut off money that was tied to hitting milestones not in the original contract, the president of the startup said Thursday."

• Felicia Harris endorsed by two Texas Republican congressmen (Houston Chronicle): "Two Texas congressmen took the unusual step of endorsing a candidate in a GOP congressional runoff. Reps. Pete Olson, a Sugar Land Republican, and Bill Flores, a Republican from Bryan, endorsed Felicia Harris, a conservative candidate seeking the 14th Congressional District seat currently held by Ron Paul, who is planning on giving up his position at the end of this term."