The Evening Brief: July 17, 2013

New in The Texas Tribune

•    DPS Director Responds to Letter on Security Report: "In a letter to state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, DPS Director Steven McCraw said that some visitors to the Senate gallery did attempt to bring jars of feces and urine inside during Friday's debate on an omnibus abortion bill."

•    CSCOPE Changes Focus of Confusion at SBOE Meeting: "Questions to Texas Education Agency officials at a Wednesday State Board of Education meeting revealed that there is nothing to stop school districts from using discontinued lessons produced by CSCOPE, the controversial state-developed curriculum system."

•    Reproductive Rights Groups Weigh Legal Challenge to Abortion Bill: "With Gov. Rick Perry expected to sign House Bill 2 into law, abortion rights groups are considering a lawsuit against the state as one option to attempt to block implementation of the legislation."

•    Abbott's Adversity a Key Part of His Message on the Campaign Trail: "Attorney General Greg Abbott's story of adversity has the potential to resonate deeply with voters. But in the past, it has exposed him to criticism from those who say he has battered the legal protections he benefited from for political gain."

•    Veterans Fight to Get College Credit for Service: "Texas veterans looking to go to college after the military often have trouble getting credit for skills and education they earned in the military. Lawmakers this year failed to pass a bill making a college credit program for veterans permanent. But Texas education and workforce officials say they will keep trying."

Culled

•    Immigration reform backers focus on 14 'persuadable' Texas House Republicans (Houston Chronicle): "Supporters of comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. business community and Republican Party believe that 14 of Texas’ 24 House Republicans are open to persuasion — particularly the large bloc of Houston-area Republicans."

•    Washington ethics group slaps at Gov. Rick Perry (The Dallas Morning News): "Gov. Rick Perry, who touts the state’s standing in the tippy-top tier in job creation and business relocations, has made another national top list. This one is less than laudatory. Citizens for Responsiblity and Ethics in Washington named Perry among the worst six governors in the nation on ethics considerations. All top/bottom six of CREW’s worst list are Republicans. In the entire 'watch' list of 18, 16 are Republicans."

•    Rick Perry Appears In Commercial With Director Who’s Suing Texas (BuzzFeed): "Gov. Rick Perry’s nonprofit TexasOne launched a $1 million campaign last month in an attempt to persuade companies in New York and Connecticut to uproot and move to Texas. But a commercial airing as part of the ad blitz features at least one businessman who’s not quite satisfied with his experience in the Lone Star State."