The Evening Brief: June 11, 2013

New in The Texas Tribune

•    Abortion-Related Legislation Added to Special Session Agenda: "The agenda of the ongoing special session is growing, and now it includes the hot-button issue of abortion — which is sure to spark partisan warfare. Gov. Rick Perry also ordered the Legislature to take up a measure dealing with sentences for 17-year-olds convicted of capital felonies."

•    House and Senate Hoping to Quickly Find Money for Roads: "With transportation funding added to the special session call, lawmakers are already planning hearings and considering different proposals. The Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday."

•    Perry to Veto Integrity Funds Unless Lehmberg Resigns: "Gov. Rick Perry will veto financing for the public integrity unit — the state's ethics enforcement division — unless embattled Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg resigns, an official close to the governor said Tuesday."

•    UT Regent Raises Concerns About Colleague's Requests: "University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall has added to his requests of large amounts of information from the system’s flagship university, prompting one of his fellow board members to label his actions a 'witch hunt' and 'an abuse of power.'"

Culled

•    On immigration, Sen. Ted Cruz joins failed filibuster as Sen. John Cornyn votes to start debate (The Dallas Morning News): "Texas’ senators split Tuesday on whether to let the Senate start debating a sweeping immigration overhaul plan. Both are unhappy with the 'Gang of Eight' bill as currently written, but Sen. Ted Cruz joined other conservatives in trying to block Senate consideration — an attempt that failed on 82-15. Sen. John Cornyn and two dozen other Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joined Democrats to clear the way for debate to begin."

•    Sheriff Garcia says immigration reform is 'good for public safety' (Houston Chronicle): "Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia said today that the comprehensive immigration reform bill being debated by the Senate is 'good for public safety' and the Texas economy. Garcia, who attended a White House event on immigration today, said the $6 billion in border enforcement contained in the so-called 'Gang of Eight' compromise will help to secure the U.S.’s southern border."

•    U.S. Reps. Gallego and Vela ask to join redistricting fight (San Antonio Express-News): "Two more Democrats from the Texas congressional delegation want to be part of a lawsuit challenging the state’s redistricting plans. Lawyers representing U.S. Reps. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, and Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, have filed request to intervene in an ongoing trial before a San Antonio federal court."

•    Former President George W. Bush's Image Ratings Improve (Gallup): "Americans' views of former president George W. Bush have improved, with 49% now viewing him favorably and 46% unfavorably. That is the first time since 2005 that opinions of him have been more positive than negative."