The Week in the Rearview Mirror

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis surprised fellow Democrats by telling The Associated Press she is for embracing reforms that would allow Texans to openly carry handguns — even into the state Capitol. The Texas Democratic Party quickly signaled it disagreed with Davis, telling the AP, "There is little or no public safety justification for open carry."

Greg Abbott, the Republican candidate for governor, proposed a dramatic increase in state spending on border security and other crime-fighting initiatives. But he hasn't identified the funding to pay for the programs, which would send 500 more troopers to the border and would cost $345 million.

Fundraising reports for the month of January showed Greg Abbott re-establishing a fundraising edge on Wendy Davis. He raised $3.1 million while she raised $913,000 among three committees. Abbott largely outraised Davis with the help of several six-figure contributions, while Davis relied on smaller donations.

Democrats circulated a secret recording of Greg Abbott's comments at a fundraiser that they said demonstrate the likely GOP nominee for governor is pushing attacks on his Democratic rival, Wendy Davis, while publicly maintaining he's above the fray.

After about a year and a half of development, Texas A&M University-Commerce and South Texas College in late January unveiled a new, innovative response to Gov. Rick Perry's $10,000-college-degree challenge.

More than three years after San Antonio Water System asked the private sector to develop plans for a new water supply for the growing region, the utility has decided not to use any of them.