In today's Brief: Why has sexual harassment gone unchecked at the Texas Legislature? Plus, Texas’ two senators pulled their support for U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore amid sexual misconduct allegations. 
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SEXUAL HARASSMENT GOES UNCHECKED AT #TXLEGE

Sexual harassment policies at the Texas Legislature have been in place for two decades — but not a single formal complaint has been filed since 2011, according to a review of public records and interviews with more than two dozen current and former lawmakers and staffers. 
 
Policies at the Capitol reference a state agency that no longer exists, and officials are provided little incentive or authority to enforce them, especially in cases of harassment involving lawmakers. 

Among the victims was former state Sen. Wendy Davis, who said a first-term House lawmaker intentionally cupped her breast at a political event early in her tenure. "It wasn't an accidental brushing," she said. "It was a purposeful touching of my breast." 

Help us investigate sexual harassment at #txlege by sharing your experience with us: Contact our reporters directly, send us an encrypted message with the messaging app Signal at (512) 745-2713 or go to our tips page. 
 

CORNYN AND CRUZ WITHDRAW MOORE ENDORSEMENTS

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn on Monday pulled their support for Roy Moore, the U.S. Senate candidate from Alabama who's facing sexual misconduct allegations. 

What Cruz said: "One of two things should happen: If these allegations are true, Judge Moore should drop out now. Today. Or two, if these allegations are not true, then Judge Moore needs to come forward with a strong, persuasive rebuttal demonstrating that they are untrue," he told reporters in D.C. Monday evening. "I am not able to urge the people of Alabama to support his candidacy so long as these allegations remain un-refuted."

What Cornyn said: "I believe the accusations against Roy Moore are disturbing and, if true, disqualifying," he said Monday, per Politico. "The most appropriate course of action, in my view, is to leave the final judgment in the hands of Alabama voters — where it has always belonged — and withdraw my endorsement." 

Other stories we're watching today

• The House Public Education Committee is holding a hearing in Austin this morning to discuss testing and accountability at schools post-Hurricane Harvey. Follow Texas Tribune reporter Aliyya Swaby for updates. 

We're testing a few changes around here. What do you think? Send your thoughts to thebrief@texastribune.org. 

BEST OF THE TRIB

• Kelly Unterburger thought he had a free court-appointed lawyer when he was arrested. Years later, he was handed a bill saying he owed $10,000 in attorney's fees thanks to a practice called recoupment.

• A Democrat running for Texas’ most competitive congressional district suggested “new leadership” should replace House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

• Gov. Greg Abbott is endorsing state Rep. Sarah Davis' primary challenger. 

• U.S. Rep. Gene Green, a Houston Democrat, is the sixth Texan to announce he's not coming back to the House in 2018. 

• A health clinic provided free abortions to 85 women affected by Harvey. 

• New in TribTalk: Suburban swingers shaking Texas marriage to the GOP? 

 

BEST OF THE REST

Paywall content noted with $.

Associated Press: Texas sees increase in domestic violence reports 

NPR: Trump travel ban allowed to take partial effect 

USA Today: George H.W. Bush apologizes after woman accuses him of groping her when she was 16 

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Burleson gas station sued over price-gouging after Hurricane Harvey 

KUT: Slow and upbeat EPA response to Hurricane Harvey pollution angers residents 

The Dallas Morning News: Gun violence changed the lives of these Texas lawmakers, not their views on gun control ($)

The Austin American-Statesman: Dukes challenger leaves Democratic race, will run as independent ($)
 

PENCIL US IN

Join us in San Antonio on Nov. 17 and 18 for a symposium on immigration, where we'll discuss everything from rhetoric on the subject under the Trump administration to recent actions of #txlege. Have a question? Tweet them to us with #AskTrib, and read our brief guide to the event.

THE LAST WORD


"You can't get blood out of a turnip." 

— Donnie Yandell, Caprock Regional Chief Public Defender, on counties' attempts to receive reimbursement for lawyers' fees from poor defendants. 

Thanks for reading The Brief, our daily dispatch on Texas politics, public policy and everything in between. Please shoot me your tips and feedback at cpollock@texastribune.org. Love this newsletter? Consider making a donation in support of our nonprofit newsroom. — Cassi Pollock
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