News Ticker: June 17

Rick Perry gets out his red pen, Ted Cruz warms some hearts, and Jan Brewer gets some bad news. Synergy is on the News Ticker.

• Annoyed that Sydney and Griffin didn't chip in to buy him the extra large popcorn sampler for Father's Day, Gov. Rick Perry went on a veto rampage.

• Of course by this point, the younger Perrys are probably used to being embarrassed by dad.

• It looks like Gov. Perry's efforts to bring businesses to Texas are finally working. Maybe next time, he'll be more careful to specify legal businesses. We're guessing human traffickers won't be in his latest commercials.

• After their treacly exchange on Fox News, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Ted Cruz have decided to record a duet album. After an excruciating discussion almost tore them apart, the pair looked in their heart and decided to let love keep them together. Whatever.

• In other Cruz news, a new University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll shows him leading the pack of possible GOP Presidential contenders. Relatedly, Taco Bell's Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos are also inexplicably popular.

• A comment section debate is raging on the Statesman on whether to blame the Texas GOP or the national Democrats for the planned layoff of 725 Austin OneWest Bank employees. Sadly, they are both wrong; the Miami Heat are clearly responsible. Only the San Antonio Spurs can stop the coming recession.

• In encouraging news, fatalities were down at this year's Republic of Texas Rally.

• Although the U.S. Supreme Court appears to be holding off on affirmative action and marriage equality decisions until sweeps week, they did resolve one important storyline.