The Evening Brief: Dec. 10, 2013

New in The Texas Tribune

•    Latest Texas, EPA Battle: Cross-State Air Pollution: "Texas Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott’s battle with the Environmental Protection Agency continues Tuesday morning in the U.S. Supreme Court, when his office will argue against a proposed federal rule to limit the effects of air pollution across state boundaries."

•    Nelson Pushes to Further Expand Women's Health Services: "As Texas continues to rebuild its network of family planning providers, state Sen. Jane Nelson says there’s now even greater capacity for the state to expand women’s health services. 'We can all agree there is more to be done,' Nelson, R-Flower Mound, wrote in a Dec. 5 letter to state Health Commissioner David Lakey."

•    Carona Says Ethics Complaint Has No Merit: "[John] Carona called the complaint, filed last week by a third-year dental student in Dallas, a politically motivated 'stunt' by his Republican primary opponent, businessman Don Huffines. Carona said the companies did not have enough activity to meet the threshold for disclosure."

Culled

•    Cornyn, blasted as “liberal” by Stockman, takes challenge in stride (The Dallas Morning News): "Club for Growth, a conservative group that was [Ted] Cruz’s top backer in last year’s Senate upset over Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, defended [John] Cornyn and vowed neutrality. 'While Congressman [Steve] Stockman has a pro-economic growth record, so does Senator Cornyn, as witnessed by his 87% lifetime Club for Growth score,' Club president Chris Chocola said in a statement."

•    Chamber of Commerce backs Cornyn in primary (The Hill): "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will back Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in his reelection campaign, helping him in his surprise primary against Tea Party-aligned Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas). ‎'Senator Cornyn is a conservative champion for the American free enterprise system. He has a proven record on issues important to the business community and has received a 90 percent lifetime voting record with the U.S. Chamber,' U.S. Chamber National Political Director Rob Engstrom said in a statement."

•    6 Texas-Sized Primary Hurdles for Steve Stockman (Roll Call): "Texas Rep. Steve Stockman’s last-minute challenge to Sen. John Cornyn sent shock waves through Republican politics Monday night. But the congressman’s bid to upset the two-term incumbent has some Texas-sized hurdles to overcome before it’s competitive — let alone successful."

•    Attorney questions why Rosemary Lehmberg asked that Police Chief Art Acevedo be called after arrest (Austin American-Statesman): "State prosecutors continued to question Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg during the second day of her trial Tuesday about her drinking habits and her behavior after she was arrested for drunken driving."

•    Mack Brown denies he's stepping down (Austin American-Statesman): "Mack Brown has denied an online report that he will step down as the head football coach at the University of Texas. Brown confirmed via text to the American-Statesman that he is recruiting in Florida."