The Brief: George P. Bush Tells Texas GOP to Back Trump

The Big Conversation

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush seems to have changed his tune on Donald Trump, urging fellow state Republicans to support the party’s nominee for president even though he had previously held out on endorsing him.

“From Team Bush, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton,” Bush said to state Republican activists on Saturday, addressing them as Texas GOP's victory chairman, the Tribune’s Patrick Svitek reports.

“Bush had been criticized for taking the role without backing the party's presidential nominee,” Svitek writes. “At least until Saturday, Bush had been one of the most prominent elected officials in Texas withholding his support for Trump. A spokesman for Bush did not respond Sunday afternoon to messages seeking additional detail on his current position on Trump.”

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, meanwhile, said in a radio interview last week that he is working with the Trump campaign on an agriculture team, Madeline Conway reports in the Tribune.

Trib Must Reads

Analysis: Oh, You Thought Your State Government Worked For You?, by Ross Ramsey — A lot can happen when you're distracted by presidential politics. The past week offered a few relatively local reminders of why politics matters.

In Fight over Surprise Medical Bills, Some Lawmakers Target Insurance Regulators, by Edgar Walters — Lawmakers are trying to find a way to prevent surprise medical bills, while doctors, insurance companies and patients argue over who is responsible for them. Now, some lawmakers are pointing fingers at the state's insurance department.

At Convention, Texas Greens Welcome Bernie Sanders Voters, by Isabelle Taft — Much of the programming at the Green Party National Convention in Houston this weekend seemed calculated to appeal to disaffected Democrats.

Attorney Wins Democratic Nod to Replace Rep. Borris Miles, by Patrick Svitek — Attorney Shawn Thierry on Saturday clinched the Democratic nomination to replace state Rep. Borris Miles, D-Houston.

News From Home

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Elsewhere

(Links below lead to outside websites; content might be behind paywall)

As the wind blows, Texas subsidizes school districts on tax agreements, Austin American-Statesman

Restroom battle may head to the Texas Legislature, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Whistleblower's attorney wants proof that Ken Paxton had no conflict over donor investigation, The Dallas Morning News

As Zika Threat Grows, Texas Moms Lack Health Care Access (Audio), Reveal

Board nixes plan to house immigrant youths in former state school, Houston Chronicle

Dawnna Dukes’ activities outside Legislature raise questions, Austin American-Statesman

UH banks on joining big leagues to 'sustain' athletics spending, Houston Chronicle

Aryan Brotherhood in 'chaos' after federal takedown, Houston Chronicle

Quote to Note

“Of course my emphasis will be carrying Texas for the ag industry for Trump. Personally I think Donald Trump will be great for agriculture.” 

— Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, in an interview with KFYO’s Chad Hasty

Trib Events for the Calendar

•   A Conversation with state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and state Reps. Terry Canales and Bobby Guerra on Aug. 26 at UT Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg

•   The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23-25 at the University of Texas at Austin

•   TribFeast: A Dinner To Support Nonprofit Journalism on Sept. 24 at the University of Texas at Austin's Etter-Harbin Alumni Center

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Four Price and John Smithee on Oct. 4 at Amarillo College in Amarillo