The Brief: Aug. 25, 2014

The Big Conversation

Mindy Montford, a former candidate for Travis County DA and daughter of former state Sen. John Montford, confirmed on Sunday that Gov. Rick Perry called to see if she was interested in replacing District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV reported.

The conversation to gauge her interest took place in June 2013, before Perry's threat became public to veto funding for the public integrity unit if Lehmberg did not resign. "The revelation shows the level at which Perry was directly involved in attempts to force Lehmberg’s resignation and appoint a successor in the days leading up to his June 14 veto — rather than high-level aides coordinating the effort and briefing the governor," wrote the Statesman's Tony Plohetski.

Perry's reaching out to a Democrat "also indicates the governor’s effort to possibly be bipartisan in naming a Lehmberg replacement." Montford ran for DA in 2008, losing in a party primary runoff against Lehmberg in the contest to succeed Ronnie Earle.

This would not be the first time Perry has pushed for a position for a Montford. In 2009, Perry backed Montford's father for UT System chancellor, a post eventually given to Francisco Cigarroa.

The Day Ahead

•    The House Energy Resources subcommittee on seismic activity meets at 1 p.m. in the Capitol Extension to take testimony from the Railroad Commission of Texas. (agenda)

Trib Must-Reads

Thousands Lose Cars Amid Calls for Loan Restrictions, by Corrie MacLaggan

West Texas Energy Bills Show Boom’s Unexpected Costs, by Jim Malewitz

Analysis: Crime, Politics and Travis County, by Ross Ramsey

Environmental Justice Advocates Question Houston's Recycling Plan, by Neena Satija

Elsewhere

Rosemary Lehmberg at center of Perry defense firestorm, San Antonio Express-News

Rick Perry seizes advantage after indictment, but will it last?, Austin American-Statesman

Rick Perry’s future tested by his past in New Hampshire, Washington Post

Krugman: Wrong Way Nation, The New York Times

Experts cast doubt on Davis rape statute plan, Houston Chronicle

Fears mount of ISIS infiltrating America, The Hill

Central American immigrants putting brakes on a dream, The Dallas Morning News

Quote to Note

“We need to look at the states, which are lavatories of innovation and democracy, reform. We need to unleash the competition between the states for jobs, innovation and opportunity.”

— Gov. Rick Perry speaking at an Americans for Prosperity event on Friday in Manchester, N.H.

Today in TribTalk

How start-up culture is changing Mexico, by Antonio Garza

Trib Events for the Calendar

•    A Conversation With UT System Regent Wallace Hall, on Sept. 4 at The Austin Club

•    A Conversation With Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa and Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri, on Sept. 10 at The Austin Club

•    The full program has been announced for the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival, which runs from Sept. 19-21 at the University of Texas at Austin. Featuring 10 tracks, 44 sessions and over 200 speakers, this weekend is not to be missed!

•    A Conversation With U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, on Sept. 24 at the UTSA Downtown Campus in San Antonio.