The Evening Brief: Sept. 17, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   Gallego Starts TV in CD-23 with a Family Bio: "Democrat Pete Gallego of Alpine is starting his television campaign this week with an initial $100,000 buy in that San Antonio to El Paso district, his campaign said. His first ad is a bio spot that talks about his family."

•   Lampson Launches TV Campaign in CD-14: "Democrat Nick Lampson started his general election TV campaign Monday with an ad laughing at 'whining and crying in Congress' and suggesting he's part of the solution. The campaign said the ad is running in Houston and Beaumont."

•   Medicaid Woes Subject of House Committee Hearing: "At a morning hearing on the implementation of Medicaid managed care in South Texas, lawmakers got a much bigger earful on the consequences of difficult budget decisions they made in the last legislative session."

•   Can I Register to Vote Online?: "The Texas secretary of state's office doesn't allow online voter registration, because it requires a signature. But there are other simple ways to register to vote."

Culled:

•   Romney jokes he'd have better chance if dad was Mexican (The Hill): "Mitt Romney candidly discussed his electoral struggles with Hispanic and female voters at a private fundraising dinner in remarks that were captured in an undercover video. The video, obtained by Mother Jones, shows Romney joking of his father, who was born in Mexico: 'Had he been born of Mexican parents, I'd have a better shot of winning this.'"

•   Democratic congressmen criticize Romney on economy, immigration (The Dallas Morning News): "San Antonio congressman Charlie Gonzalez issued a rebuke to Mitt Romney’s appeal to Hispanic voters today at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 33rd annual convention in Los Angeles. Gonzalez and California congressman Xavier Becerra said that Romney’s economic plan was too vague, and they criticized his record and 'empty rhetoric.' 'With 50 days to go till the election, Governor Romney has yet to offer a plan,' said Gonzalez, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus."

•   Some GOP leaders say call for state pension overhaul is not warranted (Austin American-Statesman): "Despite political rumblings that Texas should move away from public pensions, some key Republican House members say the statewide pension funds for teachers and state workers should not be overhauled."