The Brief: Paxton Joins Cruz In Crusade Against ‘Internet Control’

The Big Conversation

Another Texan has joined U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s crusade against the Obama administration’s “illegal internet giveaway,” as critics of the move describe it.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Ken Paxton and three other lawyers filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the government’s plan to transfer the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to an international body. In a statement, Paxton argued the transfer violates the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution by “giving away government property without congressional authorization, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by chilling speech, and the Administrative Procedure Act by acting beyond statutory authority.”

As the Tribune’s Patrick Svitek reports, the transfer has been years in the making, with Cruz making the halt of the transition a priority since May. However, his efforts haven’t gained much traction, and on Wednesday Congress passed legislation to keep the federal government open through mid-December without addressing the internet issue.

Many proponents of the Obama administration's proposal, including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said Cruz's and Paxton's concerns demonstrate a lack of understanding for how the internet works. The transfer is scheduled to go into effect Saturday.

Trib Must Reads

Dems Expand Texas Footprint, Transgender Bathrooms Debated (Video), by Alana Rocha — In the Roundup: National Democrats see Texas as a worthwhile investment this election cycle. Plus, the issue of transgender bathrooms heats up in Dripping Springs and Rick Perry takes his final bow on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Ignoring Anti-Refugee Rhetoric, Texans Rush to Help in Resettlement, by Jim Malewitz — Texas nonprofits that resettle refugees say volunteer turnout has increased — in some cases dramatically — since the state's elected officials started trying to bar Syrians fleeing violence at home.  

Analysis: Texas Candidates’ Departures Can Hinder Their Returns, by Ross Ramsey — The end of one political race is often the beginning of the next one. As former Gov. Rick Perry learned, an "oops" moment in one contest can color voter opinion in the next one. That ought to worry U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

Texans' McNair Leads NFL Owners in Political Contributions, by Nicole Cobler — Houston Texans owner Robert McNair has made $1.3 million in political contributions this year, according to a new report. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has ponied up $200,000. 

Live Podcasts — and Music — from the 2016 Texas Tribune Festival, by Texas Tribune Staff — Check out our live Tribune Festival edition of the TribCast and The Ticket 2016, featuring Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, state Rep. Chris Paddie, politicos Sarah Isgur Flores and Erick Erickson, and music from the Bad Precedents.

As Congress OKs Spending Plan, Cruz Falls Short in Internet Bid, by Abby Livingston — Legislation passed by Congress on Wednesday did not address concerns that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz raised over U.S. control of the Internet.

Watch How Texas Republicans Came to Terms With Trump, by Alana Rocha — There's been a lot of fuss made about U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s recent decision to support Donald Trump for president after he famously refused to endorse him at the Republican National Convention this summer. But he's not the only Texas leader who’s expressed a change of heart.

Elsewhere

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

Texas Lottery sells $5 billion in tickets in 2016, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Cornyn: Trump showed his 'inexperience' in debate, The Dallas Morning News

Ted Cruz might actually like being in the Senate, The Washington Post 

Texas losses from hail and wind damage cost $5.5 billion, most since 2008, San Antonio Express-News

Jeb Bush: Releasing news of father's endorsement was 'inappropriate', Politico

Nearly 1,200 immigrants earn citizenship, voting rights in Austin, Austin American-Statesman

Whitmire wants schools to teach kids how to act during police stops, Houston Chronicle 

Harris County considers shipping jailed teens to Central Texas, Houston Chronicle

Texas researchers are at the forefront of the breast cancer fight, The Dallas Morning News

Quote to Note

"Rick Perry—reality star and Trump cabinet wannabe who can't count to 3 and who lost to Vanilla Ice on "Dancing With The Stars"—endorses Will Hurd."

—Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego in a tweet he posted Thursday. He is challenging Republican freshman Congressman Will Hurd in Texas' 23rd Congressional District

Today in TribTalk

What's next for abortion rights in Texas?, by Amanda Williams and Laila Khalili — While HB 2 is gone, one of the harshest barriers to abortion access for Texans remains. The Hyde Amendment, a federal policy passed each year by Congress as part of the budget process, bans coverage for abortion services for people enrolled in Medicaid.

News From Home

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Trib Events for the Calendar

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•   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