The Brief: June 9, 2015

The Big Conversation

A pair of protests was held in McKinney on Monday in response to police action dispersing a crowd at a pool party over the weekend. Also, more details emerged about the pool party itself as neighborhood residents differed on the police's handling of the incident.

The Dallas Morning News' Wendy Hundley, Naomi Martin and Jeffrey Weiss reported:

"The party was originally organized with several neighborhood teens who wanted to celebrate the last day of school at the admission-restricted community pool. A mostly black crowd showed up, and the music was loud. At one point, some people who had not been invited jumped over a fence and were confronted by a security guard. Overwhelmed, he called the police."

Descriptions, though, by residents of the party and its aftermath differed drastically. One neighborhood resident, as The News reported, wrote on Facebook: “This was a Twitter party that turned into a mob event. Jumping pool fence. Assaulting 2 security guards, attacking a mother with three little girls. The video doesn’t show everything."

A 13-year-old neighborhood resident told The News that "there were no drugs or alcohol at the party, which had been planned for several weeks and was promoted on social media. Initially, most of the teens at the party were from Craig Ranch or nearby neighborhoods, she said."

The two protests on Monday consisted of a march from an elementary school to the location of the pool party and a gathering at the police station.

The march drew 500 participants, The News reported.  “'This is our city,' said Derrick Golden, pastor at Amazing Church in McKinney. 'The issue we have in McKinney is not only a racism issue; it’s a classism issue.' The crowd consisted mostly of African-Americans, many of whom said the teenagers were good kids who were treated unjustly."

The officer shown on video throwing to the ground a 15-year-old girl and then pointing a gun at some unarmed teens remains on administrative leave while an investigation continues. Officials had no update Monday on the investigation. 

Trib Must-Reads

Hensarling Leads Bid to Kill Export-Import Bank, by Abby Livingston — U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a Dallas Republican, has amassed enough political capital to become chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and he's using it to try to kill the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the latest Tea Party punching bag.

Mexico Loosening Rules for Armed U.S. Agents, by Julián Aguilar — Texas lawmakers are celebrating news that Mexico will soon allow U.S. agents to carry guns while inspecting cargo on Mexican soil. The change should help speed trade between the two countries.

Finally, a Good Hair Day at the Capitol, by Matthew Watkins — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed a bill into law that removes licensing requirements for hair braiders. The bill was pushed by longtime braider Isis Brantley, who has called for a rule change for years.

Harless Won't Seek Re-election to Texas House, by Ross Ramsey — Weary of Republican infighting, state Rep. Patricia Harless, R-Spring, announced Monday that she won’t seek re-election next year.

Abbott: No Special Session on Same-Sex Marriage, by Ross Ramsey — Gov. Greg Abbott told a San Antonio radio station on Monday that he won't call a special session on same-sex marriage restrictions, even though conservative leaders pleaded via letter for him to do so.

A Rinaldi vs. Ratliff Rematch for Texas House Seat, by Morgan Smith — Bennett Ratliff will run for the Dallas-area House seat he lost to state Rep. Matt Rinaldi by just 92 votes in the 2014 GOP primary, the Coppell Republican announced Monday.

The Day Ahead

•    Gov. Greg Abbott is in Houston for an 11:30 a.m. signing ceremony for comprehensive border security legislation.

•    Early voting ends ahead of the San Antonio mayoral runoff election scheduled for Saturday.

•    Tribune CEO and editor-in-chief Evan Smith interviews House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. The 8 a.m. breakfast conversation at the Austin Club will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person.

Elsewhere

D.A. dismisses murder case, Houston Chronicle

Texas Department of Public Safety faces immediate conflict with Public Integrity Unit, El Paso Times

Abbott approves new requirements for storing chemical that triggered West explosion, The Dallas Morning News

Bastrop lawsuit points to hazards of serving on unpaid water boards, Austin American-Statesman

Galveston judges, commissioners face off in power struggle, Houston Chronicle

Chasnoff: Superintendent stops speech by Van de Putte, San Antonio Express-News

SpaceX seeks OK to expand Boca Chica site, The Monitor

Dan McQueen explores bid to unseat Farenthold, Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Quote to Note

“Let me start by saying if I’m elected, January 2017, I suppose the first thing I should do is send flowers and a note of condolences to all of the reporters and editors who’ve checked themselves into therapy.”

— GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz at a town hall event last week

Today in TribTalk

The Texas drought is over, but what about the next?, by John Nielsen-Gammon — Rains have brought dramatic relief to Texas. But sooner or later, drought will return. And our fate will depend on what we’ve learned in times of pain.

News From Home

Differences in border security proposals sparked lots of debate during the 84th legislative session. Use our Texas Legislative Guide to see what lawmakers agreed upon, as well as other related issues that were debated this session.

Trib Events for the Calendar

•    A Conversation About Texas Monthly's Best and Worst Legislators 2015 on June 18 at The Austin Club

•    A Conversation About Health Care and the 84th Legislature on June 24 at UT Health Science Center San Antonio

•    The Texas Tribune Festival on Oct. 16-18 at the University of Texas at Austin