New in The Texas Tribune:
• Dewhurst: Texas Should Fund Teacher Firearms Training: “In the wake of the Connecticut school shooting, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Friday called for the state to consider funding specialized firearms training for school employees.”
• Updated: Planned Parenthood Loses Bid for Injunction: “Travis County District Judge Stephen Yelenosky on Friday refused to grant Planned Parenthood’s request for a temporary injunction to be included in the Texas Women’s Health Program.”
• Lawmakers Want Big, Bold Measures This Session: “Following Monday’s rosy budget estimate from Comptroller Susan Combs, there is widespread interest among state leaders to make large investments in Texas’ future this session, specifically billion-dollar commitments to water and transportation projects that prepare Texas for a population boom demographers warn is on the way.”
• New Election Bill Would Repeal Texas Voter ID Law: “Democratic state Rep. Eric Johnson is bringing debate over voter ID back to the Texas state house. He wants to repeal the law passed in 2011 requiring voters to show photo identification.”
• Getting a Closer Look at the Makeup of the Lege: “The state Legislature is diverse in some ways and homogenous in others. Here’s a look at Texas’ 83rd class of lawmakers, from their employment and higher education to their age, gender and demographics.”
Culled:
• Jerry Patterson says he’s properly positioned to beat David Dewhurst in 2014 (The Dallas Morning News): “Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said Friday he was in a good position to win the 2014 race for lieutenant governor, particularly if the contest featured incumbent Republican David Dewhurst. During a recording of WFAA (Channel 8) Inside Texas Politics, Abbott said the anti-incumbent mood that doomed Dewhurst last year in the Senate contest against Ted Cruz would strike again. ‘I’m perfectly situated. It’s not a reflection on David Dewhurst. When you’ve been in a high profile office for 12 years, there’s a certain amount of voter fatigue that occurs,’ Patterson said.”
• Potential candidate George P. Bush toured Land Office with Jerry Patterson (The Dallas Morning News): “It’s almost certain that rising star Republican George P. Bush is preparing a 2014 campaign for Texas Land Commissioner. The nephew of former President George W. Bush and son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush visited the Land Commissioner’s office last year as he embarked on a listening trip throughout Texas.”
• Kay Bailey Hutchison for Obama Transportation Secretary? (Houston Chronicle): “It seems a bit implausible — after all, she has been one of President Barack Obama’s most consistent critics — but there’s speculation in Washington that recently retired Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison could be a potential replacement for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.”
Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here.
