The Evening Brief: Nov. 19, 2012

Culled:

•   Texas Women’s Health Advocates to Bypass State in Bid for Federal Funds (The Texas Observer): "Texas lawmakers have spent the past two years attacking family planning services in the state, cutting funds for programs that provide women with birth control and wellness exams. Now family planning advocates are fighting back. A coalition of providers plans to bypass Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature and apply directly to the federal government for family planning funds. If the coalition wins the federal grant—called Title X (Title 10)—a slice of Texas’ family planning money would no longer go to the state health department—and would no longer be subject to the whims of the Legislature."

•   Ron Paul: 'Secession is a deeply American principle' (Politico): "Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Monday that secession was a 'deeply American principle,' amid a growing number of people petitioning the White House to let their states secede from the U.S. 'Secession is a deeply American principle. This country was born through secession. Some felt it was treasonous to secede from England, but those "traitors" became our country’s greatest patriots,' the former presidential candidate wrote in a post on his House website. 'There is nothing treasonous or unpatriotic about wanting a federal government that is more responsive to the people it represents.'"

•   The worst candidate of 2012 (The Washington Post): "Remember back to the late summer of 2011. Perry entered the race with what looked like a straight path to frontrunner status. He was a conservative’s conservative with a proven record of doing what he said in Texas. He was a fundraising powerhouse. He had a charisma that former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney lacked. It was all there for the taking. Until, it became clear that the idea of Rick Perry running for president was very different than the reality of Rick Perry running for president."

•   Gaza conflict: Texas delegation firmly stands with Israel (Houston Chronicle): "As the violence in Gaza intensifies and global pressure growing on Israel to halt air strikes, Texas congressmen are appealing for a peaceful solution. But there is no doubt who they are siding with: Israel."

•   Keystone pipeline protesters arrested in Texas (CNN): "The fight to block construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline through east Texas stepped up Monday as protesters locked themselves to machinery."

•   Obama to host Mexico's president-elect Pena Nieto (Reuters): "President Barack Obama will host Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto next week, the White House said on Monday. Obama plans to discuss a broad range of issues during an Oval Office meeting on November 27, it said in a statement."

New in The Texas Tribune:

•   F1 Race Over, but Debate on Subsidies Continues: "The Formula One drivers have come and gone, and the helicopters that ferried well-heeled businessmen to the new race track near Austin have fallen silent. But the task of providing as much as $250 million in tax subsidies to the race promoters is just getting started."

•   What if Bush Leapfrogged Other Texas Republicans?: "The fresh face from the Bush political dynasty has thrown the political gauntlet, filing papers in anticipation of a 2014 political bid. Is George P. Bush a threat to Republicans who've been patiently waiting their turns?"

•   If There's a Way, There's a Will to Regulate Tuition: "Since its deregulation in 2003, the average cost of tuition and fees at public Texas universities has increased by 90 percent. Some lawmakers are hoping the 2013 session will provide a chance to once again regulate the price of higher education."