U.S. Supreme Court justices rejected a request by abortion providers to intervene in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of new abortion regulations in Texas that took effect in November. New admitting privileges requirements for abortion facilities can remain in place while the constitutionality of the law is litigated. Oral arguments before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals are scheduled for January.

Texas' senior U.S. senator, John Cornyn, kicked off his re-election campaign at Scholz Garten, touting a strong endorsement from Gov. Rick Perry and presenting a strong message: Republicans must show they are "responsible adults."

A push to keep Texas' high-risk insurance pool got a boost from a bipartisan group of lawmakers — GOP lite guv David Dewhurst and Democratic state Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin. The calls are spurred by concerns that problems with implementation of the federal health insurance exchange could threaten the ability of Texans with pre-existing medical conditions to maintain continuous coverage.

The State Board of Education debated implementation of new high school graduation requirements the Legislature passed in May. At issue is whether the SBOE will choose to continue to require algebra II for every degree — a requirement the Legislature expressly dropped from existing law. Highlighting the importance of what's at stake, the chairmen of the education committees in the Capitol — Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen — dropped by to explain their legislative intent.

After a contentious meeting, the Lower Colorado River Authority approved a drought management plan that will almost surely cut off irrigation water for coastal rice farmers for the third year in a row.

The UT chapter of Young Conservatives of Texas scheduled and then canceled a mock immigration sting on the university campus after criticism poured in from all quarters, including the Greg Abbott gubernatorial campaign. Press reports identified YCT chapter chairman Lorenzo Garcia as a former paid field rep for the campaign.

Gov. Rick Perry set Jan. 28 for the special runoff election for HD-50. Republican Mike VanDeWalle and Democrat Celia Israel are competing to fill the seat left vacant by state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, who resigned to work for Google Fiber.

Perry appointed Leanne Johnson of Beaumont to a seat on the 9th Court of Appeals. The term runs through the next general election.

Will Montgomery, a partner in the Dallas office of Jackson Walker LLP, has been named by House Speaker Joe Straus to the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Oversight Committee.

Ross Phillips is the new interim general manager for the Lower Colorado River Authority. A search continues for a permanent replacement for Becky Motal, who is retiring at the end of year.

Neal Smatresk has been named the sole finalist to become the next president of the University of North Texas in Denton. Smatresk is currently the president of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He replaces V. Lane Rawlins who is stepping down at UNT by the end of the year.

Mark Harmon is the new director of intergovernmental relations at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. He was previously the agency's legislative liaison and served time on the staffs of state Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale and state Sen. Kim Brimer.

Brian Sledge, most recently with Lloyd Gosselink, is opening his own public affairs shop under the banner Sledge Fancher.

Deaths: Former Speaker Reuben Senterfitt, D-San Saba, 96, died Wednesday. He led the Texas House from 1951 to 1955.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association Executive Director Tommy Townsend, 70, died Monday. He directed TTLA since 1990. Before that, he was in the leadership of the Texas Association of Realtors.