Vol 31, Issue 33 Print Issue

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Rick Perry and state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, are shown at a press conference at Fort Hood, Texas, on April 4, 2014.
Enlarge Bob Daemmrich
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Rick Perry and state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, are shown at a press conference at Fort Hood, Texas, on April 4, 2014.

Perry and Cruz Keep Up Heavy Travel Schedule

Also, salaries for heads of largest state agencies are lagging and a Texan is poised to become first Latina to lead nation's immigration enforcement agency.

Quotes of the Week

The miracle and promise of education is unlocking the potential in every child, as you find them, allowing them to grow and to achieve.

State District Judge John Dietz in remarks handed down with his ruling against the state's system for financing public schools

I would think everybody would be for more money in politics like I am, because we’re just spreading speech.

Alabama engineering firm executive Shaun McCutcheon on the effects of McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission

BP’s conduct was reckless. Transocean’s conduct was negligent. Halliburton’s conduct was negligent.

New Orleans-based U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier, apportioning fault in the 2010 Gulf oil spill.

Yes, fizzling is a possible outcome. We’re not betting on it, but it could happen.

National Weather Service climate analyst Michelle L’Heureux on the worsening prospects of an El Niño year.

We ask you to be with our President, give him wisdom, and open his eyes. In your most holy name. Amen. OK, fried chicken.

Gov. Rick Perry, leading a pre-meal prayer in South Carolina last week, as reported by CNN's Peter Hamby

But, if they do, then we just have to drink more beer.

Munich Oktoberfest beer tent owner Toni Roiderer to NBC News on the prospect of a bakers' strike causing a pretzel shortage at the iconic gathering

The Week in the Rearview Mirror

Debates have been scheduled in the gubernatorial contest between Greg Abbott and Wendy Davis — Sept. 30 in Dallas — and in the lieutenant governor contest between Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte — Sept. 29 in Austin. Alas, there's no signs of a debate happening in the race between Ken Paxton and Sam Houston for attorney general.

The legal challenge to the Texas voter ID law kicked off Tuesday in federal court in Corpus Christi. Attorneys for the plaintiffs opened with arguments that the law was aimed at supressing the minority vote. The state's attorneys countered the law was intended to combat voter fraud. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.

UT System Regent Wallace Hall said Thursday that he was "comfortable" with his actions being investigated by the Travis County district attorney's office, which has confirmed that it will put the case before a grand jury soon.

A tweet posted by Texas Gov. Rick Perry's Twitter account on Sunday night taunted Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg over her drunken driving arrest. The tweet was quickly taken down and Perry wrote that he did not condone it.

Empower Texans President Michael Quinn Sullivan has asked a district judge in Denton County to take a fresh look at the complaints brought to the Texas Ethics Commission against him two years ago. Yes, he lives in Denton County now.

After a drawn-out competition, Texas has lost out on Tesla Motors' $5 billion lithium-ion battery plant. Texas was one of four states in the running for the plant, which will be built in Nevada.

Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Texas Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Political People and their Moves

Larry Miles of Amarillo was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for a term to expire Feb.1, 2017.

Cindy Ermatinger of Midlothian was named by Perry as judge of the 443rd Judicial District Court in Ellis County effective Sept. 2, 2014, for a term to expire at the next general election.

Carlos Amaral of Plano was named by Perry to the Texas Judicial Council for a term to expire June 30, 2017.

David Russell of Dripping Springs was named by Perry to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for a term to expire Nov. 19, 2019.

Michael Arambula of San Antonio was named by Perry to be chairman of the Texas Medical Board for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. John Guerra of Mission also received an appointment to the board for a term to expire April 13, 2017.

Randy Sweeten of McAllen was named by Perry as presiding officer of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2016.

Chris Kirby has hired on as chief of staff for state Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin. He was previously the legislative director for state Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton.

Donnis Baggett, the executive vice president of the Texas Press Association, is the 2014 recipient of the James Madison Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Baggett focuses on open records and meetings as part of his job leading the TPA's governmental affairs program.