Top Reads, March 18: Texas GOP women on equal pay / Patrick out of closed debate / Perry & Calif. biz

The Huffington Post took aim at Beth Cubriel, the executive director of the Texas Republican Party, who said women should be better negotiators for their jobs rather than worry about getting equal pay through legislation. The remarks come after RedState Women, an activist organization of GOP women lobbyists and staffers, said Texas doesn’t need more laws either.

State Rep. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, pulled away from a Houston C Club debate with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst over the lieutenant governor’s race because he doesn’t think the debate should be private. Bob Garrett reports here.

Down in California, meanwhile, Gov. Rick Perry has gone back to gunning for California companies, trying to get them to come to Texas.