The Evening Brief: Oct. 14, 2013

New in The Texas Tribune

•    Perry Touts Conservative Governors in New Ad: "Gov. Rick Perry criticizes Washington and highlights conservative governors in a new ad for Americans for Economic Freedom, a nonprofit conservative group created by Perry's allies to promote economic expansion and job creation."

•    Hegar Touts "Support for the Unborn" in Comptroller Ad: "In the first campaign ad in his bid to succeed Comptroller Susan Combs, state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, promotes Texas' 'business climate and our unwavering support for the unborn.'"

•    UT/TT Poll: Texans Support Water Measure by Wide Margin: "Half of Texans say they’d vote to approve $2 billion in additional water infrastructure financing this November, according to a new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll."

•    $7 Billion Wind Power Project Nears Finish: "Developers expect to soon flip the switch on the final electrical transmission projects built under a nearly $7 billion effort to connect Texas' windiest, mostly secluded regions to communities that demand more power."

•    Advocates Target Latinos for ACA Enrollment: "Advocates are developing community-based strategies to ensure that Latinos understand the insurance options available through the Affordable Care Act."

•    Running for Office, Campaigning on the Status Quo: "The management is turning over in state government, no matter which party wins. But with a couple of exceptions, Republicans don't want to change the way things operate now."

Culled

•    Controversial regent and higher ed reform advocate team up in PAC (Houston Chronicle): "University of Texas regent Wallace Hall, who is being investigated by a Texas House Select Committee for possible impeachment, contributed $100,000 to a new political action committee on September 27 — the same day higher ed reform advocate and Gov. Rick Perry adviser Jeff Sandefer contributed $200,000."

•    Stockman becomes cosponsor of bill respecting state marijuana laws (Houston Chronicle): "Texas Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood, has recently backed a bill to require federal officials to comply with state marijuana laws, which was introduced in April and has since garnered support from Congressmen on both sides of the aisle."