The Evening Brief: Aug. 21, 2013

Culled

•    Police: Lt. Gov. Dewhurst Asked to Get Relative Out Of Jail (NBC 5): "Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst personally called a police sergeant soon after a relative was arrested for shoplifting and asked about getting her out of jail, Allen Police said."

•    Texas Land Commission candidate George P. Bush supports efforts to defund Affordable Care Act (The Dallas Morning News): "Texas Land Commission candidate George P. Bush said Wednesday he supports controversial efforts by federal lawmakers to defund the Affordable Care Act. 'It’s a monstrosity of a law,' he said. 'In terms of defunding it, that would be one way to reduce and mitigate the impact it’s going to have on practicing physicians and hospitals here in Texas.'"

•    Ad blitz aimed at changing GOP minds on immigration reform (San Antonio Express-News): "An evangelical group has launched a million-dollar radio advertising blitz to sway Republican House members to support immigration reform with a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants."

•    AISD to offer benefits to same-sex partners (Austin American-Statesman): "The Austin school district plans to offer health insurance benefits to domestic partners, after all. Superintendent Meria Carstarphen announced Wednesday the district plans to offer benefits to 'qualified individuals' — a legal term the district is using to stay in line with the Texas constitution, while extending benefits to same-sex partners. The school board will vote on the plan Tuesday, district spokesman Alex Sánchez said."

New in The Texas Tribune

•    Regents Meet Against Backdrop of Tension, Anxiety, Controversy: "The nine members of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, who convene at their annual August meeting Wednesday and Thursday, have been bathed in controversy for more than two years."

•    San Antonio is Latest Gay Rights Battleground: "A proposal to expand San Antonio's nondiscrimination policy to include LGBT individuals has stirred turmoil in the city and drawn the attention of local, state and even national politicians."

•    TxDOT's Cost-Cutting Plans Draw Local Outrage: "With the announcement of two new cost-cutting measures, the Texas Department of Transportation has managed to anger dozens of local officials in both rural and urban parts of the state."