The Evening Brief: Aug. 28, 2013

New in The Texas Tribune

•    Conservative Groups Target Cornyn Over ACA: "Speaking in front of the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, members of ForAmerica and the Tea Party asked U.S. Sen. John Cornyn to sign a resolution that funds the federal government, except the Affordable Care Act."

•    Davis Postpones Announcement on Political Future: "Texans will have to wait a little longer to find out if Wendy Davis will run for governor. The state senator said Wednesday she is postponing her decision until late September while she cares for her ailing father."

•    Activists Sound Off as State Prepares to Enact Abortion Regulations: "As the state health department prepares to implement stringent new abortion facility regulations approved by lawmakers in July, abortion rights advocates continue to voice concerns that the rules will endanger women."

•    Texas Fast-Food Workers to Join Nationwide Strike: "Fast-food workers in Houston, Dallas and Austin plan to participate in a nationwide pre-Labor Day strike on Thursday, organizers say. The workers are calling for $15-an-hour wages."

•    Video: Patterson Says GOP Rivals "Can't Get Anything Done": "In a new online campaign ad, Republican Jerry Patterson slaps some of his rivals for lieutenant governor for being 'soft' and says this summer's filibuster in the Texas Senate — he calls it 'Washington West' — might have gone differently with him in charge."

Culled

•    Ted Cruz: Syria, Obamacare 'tied' (Politico): "Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday tied Obamacare and Syria together, saying the two issues are linked 'by an arrogance of this administration.' The Texas Republican told radio host Rush Limbaugh that it’s clear by the way President Barack Obama and his administration approaches Obamacare and the conflict in Syria that 'they don’t believe they’re accountable to the American people.'"

•    Edinburg election smooth so far under new voter ID law (San Antonio Express-News): "For the first time in Edinburg since a controversial new voter ID law was passed in Texas, voters were required to show a state-issued photo identification during early voting in a special election Wednesday to fill a seat on the city council."

•    With Hasan trial over, Cornyn, Carter and Williams prepare to push bill for victims (The Dallas Morning News): "For the past three-and-a-half years, Rep. John Carter of Round Rock and Sen. John Cornyn have worked to pass legislation to help the victims of Fort Hood receive additional benefits — assistance some of the victims say is badly needed. Their bills have repeatedly died in Congress, with some lawmakers arguing it could have jeopardized the trial. Now, with the death sentence handed down to shooter Nidal Hasan today, the Texas Republican lawmakers are preparing to renew their effort."

•    Texas Rep. Rafael Anchia appointed to the DNC as at-large member (The Dallas Morning News): "State Rep. Rafael Anchia just told me he’s been appointed to the Democratic National Committee as one of 75 at-large members."