The Evening Brief: Oct. 23, 2012

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   Cruz Touts "American Dream" in New Election Ad: "Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz released a new ad Tuesday targeting general election voters with a focus on encouraging small business growth and saving the American Dream."

•   In Latest TV Ad, Shelton Stresses Local Roots: "State Rep. Mark Shelton, R-Fort Worth, who is looking to unseat state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, highlights his ties to Fort Worth and work as a pediatrician in a new television ad."

•   Repair of Tiny Medicaid Rounding Errors Could Carry Hefty Price Tag: "Federal authorities say Texas health officials must resolve rounding errors that lead to mere pennies worth of Medicaid overpayments. The fix could end up costing Texas taxpayers more than $1 million."

•   Keith Patterson: The TT Interview: "One of the filmmakers behind the new documentary Ann Richards' Texas on the legacy of the former Texas governor, how he — a New Yorker — became interested in her story and why she is getting so much attention this year."

Culled:

•   Sen. Carona among 1st Republican legislators in Texas to back gay rights (Dallas Voice): "In a rare if not unprecedented move for a Republican state legislator in Texas, Dallas Sen. John Carona expressed support for three key pieces of pro-equality legislation on Monday. Carona told Instant Tea he would support bills in Texas to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment; offer domestic partner benefits to state university employees; and allow same-sex adoptive parents to have both names on birth certificates."

•   4th bankruptcy in Texas gov’s tech fund pushes losses above $5M, clouds earnings (The Associated Press): "A fourth Texas high-tech startup that received taxpayer dollars through Gov. Rick Perry’s signature economic development fund has filed for bankruptcy in the $194 million portfolio’s biggest bust yet."