The Brief: March 13, 2014

The Big Conversation

If the University of Texas System regents tap Gov. Rick Perry favorite Kyle Janek as their next chancellor, they won't get pushback from the president of the system's flagship campus.

"I've known Kyle for a long time," UT-Austin President Bill Powers told The Texas Tribune's Reeve Hamilton. "I think he is an excellent person. If he were the chancellor, I would look forward to working with him." He added that the choice of a chancellor is the board's decision alone.

To that end, the UT System Board of Regents chairman, Paul Foster, told Hamilton that national search firm Wheless Partners has been signed to help with the chancellor search. The plan, Foster said, is to have the new chancellor chosen by the summer and installed in time for the start of the fall semester.

The university is looking for a replacement for Francisco Cigarroa, who is stepping down to resume his surgical career.

Today in the Trib

States' Plan to Save Rare Bird Stirs Debate in Texas: "Environmental officials in five states, including Texas, say interest in a plan to save the lesser prairie chicken should persuade the federal government not to list the bird as 'threatened' under the Endangered Species Act."

Analysis: A Kink in the Democrats' Chain: "Texas Democratic leaders tried to keep Kinky Friedman off of their November ticket, for fear voters will not take him seriously. But if he wins a runoff for agriculture commissioner in May, he might offer them their best odds for a win."

Must-Read

Underdog Dewhurst ignores calls to drop out of race, Houston Chronicle

New Abbott ethics proposal appears to target Davis, Houston Chronicle

New GOP PAC targets women in Texas, Politico

Tom DeLay speaks out on Abbott, whether Texas will turn blue, Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Cornyn: Cruz isn’t the only tea party senator, and others are team players, The Dallas Morning News

Obama threatens veto on Burgess “doc fix” bill, The Dallas Morning News

Texas' sales tax collections on the mark at halfway point, Austin American-Statesman

Rolling Towards Victory, National Review

Quote to Note

"He is in it to win it. He is going to do what he does best — crisscrossing the state, talking to voters. A lot of money will be spent on TV."

— Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst spokesman Travis Considine on the incumbent's commitment to the May 27 runoff election

Trib Events for the Calendar

•    A Conversation With Kinky Friedman, Candidate for Ag Commissioner at the Austin Club, 3/20

•    A Conversation With Sen. Charles Schwertner and Reps. John Raney and Kyle Kacal at Texas A&M University in College Station, 3/27

•    A Conversation With Mike Collier, Candidate for State Comptroller at the Austin Club, 4/17

•    A Conversation with U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway at Midland College in Midland, 5/13

•    Save the date for the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival: 9/19-9/21