Texas: Abbott puts state on alert for Harvey. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) yesterday ordered the State Operations Center to increase its readiness for Tropical Depression Harvey, from a Level IV (normal conditions) on Tuesday down to a Level II (escalated response) at 7am this Thursday morning. The governor said that some 27 state agencies were already involved in emergency preparation, reported KENS5 in San Antonio …… Alabama: Ivey files campaign papers. Gov. Kay Ivey (R), who as lieutenant governor succeeded former Gov. Robert Bentley (R) when he resigned on April 10, has filed the paperwork establishing “Kay Ivey for Governor,” a non-profit corporation, reported AL.com. Ivey had previously said she was considering a gubernatorial race in 2018, but this indicates that she is getting closer to declaring her candidacy ……. Louisiana: Is Edwards hitting GOP with vetoes? Times-Picayune columnist Tim Morris opines that some of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ vetoes are designed to punish his Republican foes. Example: Edwards vetoed a $2 million expenditure for a stormwater drainage project that affected Uptown New Orleans and Old Metarie, both areas in the districts of two Republican lawmakers. But Richard Carbo, Edwards’ deputy chief of staff, told The Advocate, that the two GOP legislators “scream from the mountaintops about cutting spending, but then cry foul when the cuts hit their districts.” …….