The Brief: Rick Perry Voted Off "Dancing With The Stars"

The Big Conversation 

Former Gov. Rick Perry got booted during Tuesday night’s elimination round on “Dancing With The Stars,” making him the second contestant to go home.

Perry’s loss came at the hands of the ‘90s hip hop artist, Vanilla Ice. Both men received the lowest scores on Monday night — a 23 out of 40 — which pitted them against each other ahead of Tuesday’s elimination round.

As the Tribune’s Abby Livingston reports, the former governor was upbeat despite the night’s outcome. After hearing news of his early departure from the show, Perry said, "My daughter is getting married on the 15th of October, and I can promise you I will look good on the dance floor for her.”

Perry made it clear from the beginning of the season that he was one of the least dance-savvy contestants on the show. In an interview with the Tribune in late August, he admitted to having two left feet, but said he was joining the show to learn to dance for his daughter’s wedding and to promote veteran’s issues.

Trib Must Reads

Analysis: In Texas, You Can Fight City Hall, by Ross Ramsey — The Texas Legislature has become the court of last resort for companies and industries fighting local regulations in the state's cities and counties. And for those interests, Austin can be a very favorable venue for appeals.

Panels To Highlight Education Spending Divide, by Kiah Collier — The state’s escalating dependence on local tax dollars to fund public schools — and, at least indirectly, other government services — will be a “big focus” during a joint, two-day hearing of the House Appropriations and Public Education committees that begins Wednesday, according to one of the panel’s chairmen.

Congress Aims to Avoid Shutdown, Override Obama Veto, by Abby Livingston — Congress had only one major piece of legislation to pass when members returned for the fall: a bill keeping the government doors open. But with a deadline looming late Friday, members are down to the wire to avoid a shutdown.

Trump and Clinton Finally Face Off (Podcast), by Ben Philpott and Jay Root — This week on The Ticket: Ben Philpott and Jay Root record the podcast during the first presidential debate — and before a live audience at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin. 

African-American Monument Being Installed at Texas Capitol, by Nicole Cobler — After more than two decades of effort by lawmakers to install a monument at the Capitol celebrating African-Americans, the main components of a bronze and granite memorial were quietly lowered onto the south lawn on Tuesday.

The Day Ahead

•    The House Committee on Appropriations meets jointly with the House Committee on Public Education to take a closer look at several aspects of the school finance system — including the state recapture payments commonly referred to as Robin Hood.

•    The House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety will meet for a morning hearing in Brownsville to discuss border security and operations.

•    A House Transportation subcommittee will meet for an afternoon hearing to discuss the Texas Department of Transportation's role in responding to natural disasters.

•    The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development will hear invited testimony during a morning hearing on the impact and challenges Texas faces implementing proposed federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Elsewhere

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

Poll: Most Texans concerned with mounting college debt, Houston Chronicle 

Number of Texas prison inmates coming out as transgender at all-time high, The Dallas Morning News 

Some Houston taco trucks to serve as voter registration booths, Houston Chronicle 

Long-running case over Laredo fortune is settled, San Antonio Express-News

First up: a gold depository in Texas. And then?, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Business leaders say NAFTA is good for RGV, The Monitor 

Central Texas districts push for change to school finance system, Austin American-Statesman 

Dallas, San Antonio superintendents call for end to state's special education enrollment target, Houston Chronicle 

Ex-Harlandale ISD trustee admits role in scheme to get insurance contracts from other school districts, San Antonio Express-News

Quote to Note

"I thought Donald had the strongest debate performance he’s had in this election cycle. I think he really went after Hillary, which was a good thing. And I think he drew strong contrast, particularly on taxes, and on regulation and on law and order, and on the disastrous Iran deal. And so I thought it was a good debate night."

— U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in an interview Tuesday morning on the first presidential debate. 

Today in TribTalk

Can Texas values transcend politics?, by Ann Beeson — With emotions particularly high this year, Texans from both ends of the political spectrum are spending a lot of time demonizing each other. But are we really so different than our neighbors?

News From Home

•    Getting to know you: We’re conducting a survey of Texas Tribune readers. Your responses will help us get to know you — and how we can serve you — better. Do you have 10 minutes to help The Texas Tribune? Take the survey now.

Trib Events for the Calendar

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

•   The Texas Response To Zika on Oct. 18 at BCBSTX Headquarters in Richardson

•   A Conversation with U.S. Rep Michael McCaul on Oct. 25 at The Austin Club 

•   A Conversation with U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke on Nov. 4 at The Austin Club 

•   A Conversation with state Reps. Andrew Murr and Jason Isaac on Nov. 14 at Schreiner University in Kerrville