The Evening Brief: June 21, 2012

Culled:

• Texas Democrats criticize Mitt Romney’s immigration plan (Houston Chronicle): "Mitt Romney offered an alternative immigration strategy that hinged on border security and more visas for legal immigration and not surprisingly drew howls of protests from Texas Democrats. … 'During the six years spent on the campaign trail, Mitt Romney’s extreme views on immigration and the economy were graciously on display, but now, addressing the largest gathering of Hispanic elected officials, Romney attempted to walk away from his past claims and so called former accomplishments,' said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio."

• Texas AG accuses Google of withholding evidence (The Associated Press): "The Texas attorney general is accusing Google of improperly withholding evidence sought in an investigation into whether the company has been abusing its dominance of Internet search."

• Obama’s Texas donations strongly up in May — but Romney still tops him (Houston Chronicle): "Texans dug deeper into their wallets for President Barack Obama’s campaign in May than any other month this year. The president cashed $816,625 from donors in Texas and raised a total of $39.1 million last month, according to monthly reports filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission. … Mitt Romney continued to outraise the Obama camp in the Lone Star State, pulling in $1,070,100 in May. That sum is about $200,000 more than the campaign raised in April, which saw a downturn from the $1,324,559 Texans pooled for Romney."

New in The Texas Tribune:

• Texas' Blackout Avoidance Measures Could Cost Billions, Group Says: "Texas’ efforts to stave off future blackouts could cost ordinary households hundreds of dollars per year, a filing by a Texas industrial group suggests. Texas regulators are due to vote on the proposal next week."
• Advocates Worry Cuts to Food Aid Programs Could Hurt Texas Families: "As legislators tinker with what some say is the cornerstone of America's food safety net, some Texans are concerned about what cuts could mean for low-income families, if they come to fruition. Many legislators, though, argue that the food stamp program has grown too large, and become too expensive."

• Compass Group to Take Over Services at A&M: "Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced today that Compass Group, a major private company based in North Carolina, will be taking over dining and support services at Texas A&M University."