The Evening Brief: Nov. 8, 2013

New in The Texas Tribune

•    Ken Anderson to Serve 9 Days in Jail: "Former Williamson County State District Judge Ken Anderson, who oversaw the wrongful murder conviction of Michael Morton as a prosecutor, was sentenced to nine days in jail on Friday and will surrender his law license as part of a deal to resolve criminal charges and a civil lawsuit."

•    Top Academics but Little Diversity at Two New Charters: "Along with Basis, a second Arizona-based school that opened its doors in northwest San Antonio this year, Great Hearts’ presence signifies the emergence of a new kind of charter school in Texas. Often dependent on infusions of private money and parents’ contributions to supplement their programs, these schools go after students seeking intensely focused academics in a collegiate atmosphere and acknowledge that they do not serve every kind of child. But the reliance on additional fees and other policies at the new schools have amplified an already contentious debate over what it means to provide a public education."

•    Expensive State Troubles and Thrifty Voters: "Texas voters overwhelmingly told the state government to open a $2 billion account to finance water projects this week, a little beam of sunshine for conservative politicians asking their price-sensitive constituents to spend some money. "

•    Steve Brown to Run for Railroad Commissioner: "Late Thursday, Steve Brown, the former chairman of the Fort Bend County Democrats, announced his candidacy to join the three-member Railroad Commission, the powerful agency that regulates the oil and gas industry, pipelines and natural gas utilities. He is vying for the seat now held by Barry Smitherman, who is running for Texas attorney general."

•    Perry Talks Job Creation in New National Ad: "In a new ad for Americans for Economic Freedom, an organization aimed at helping Rick Perry champion Texas' economic model, the governor and possible presidential contender talks about national job creation strategies."

Culled

•    Rick Perry on Ted Cruz, shutdown: ‘That’s his thing. My thing is governing.’ (The Dallas Morning News): "Gov. Rick Perry returned to Iowa on Thursday, meeting with business and political leaders and shunting aside frequent questions about whether he is hawk-eyeing another presidential run. ... 'It’s fun to be back in Iowa again and see some old familiar faces and continue a conversation that we started almost two years ago,' Perry said after a business luncheon sponsored by Americans for Prosperity."

•    Rick Perry on what scares him, bad habits and his biggest intellectual challenge (The Des Moines Register): "What terrifies Texas Gov. Rick Perry? Snakes. But, hey, the bullwhip-snapping lead character in the popular 'Indiana Jones' action films, is too, he points out."

•    Pro-Clinton PAC raises more than $100,000 in S.A. (San Antonio Express-News): "According to Democratic sources, the event raised more than $100,000 for Ready for Hillary, a pro-Clinton political action committee that will serve as the grass-roots arm of her 2016 organization when/if she enters the race. The roster of Hillary fans at Watts' fundraiser included Congressmen Pete Gallego and Filemon Vela, Jr.; state Sens. Leticia Van de Putte and Carlos Uresti; state Reps. Joe Farias, Ruth Jones McClendon, and Philip Cortez; and County Judge Nelson Wolff."

•    Republican cites ‘mental health’ claim from Wendy Davis lawsuit (Houston Chronicle): "Republicans are making hay of the lawsuit that Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filed against the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after a losing race for city council. Erick Erickson of RedState zeroed in on language in the lawsuit that cites 'damages to her mental health' among the wrongs she had allegedly suffered."

•    George P. Bush taps Griffin as campaign manager (The Associated Press): "George P. Bush has tapped former Texas Republican Party Political Director Travis Griffin to manage his campaign for land commissioner. Senior campaign strategist Trey Newton said Wednesday night that Griffin's first day was Monday. He also said that Texas political strategist Ash Wright has been named statewide political director and will manage grassroots efforts."

•    Frisco councilman Johnson pulls out of Texas Senate race (The Dallas Morning News): "Frisco City Council member Scott Johnson has chosen not to seek a soon-to-be-vacated state Senate seat in Collin and Dallas counties. Johnson said in a release Friday that it’s 'not an optimum time in my life' to launch a campaign. He cited his and his wife’s four young children, an expanding business and his duties as a council member."