The Midday Brief: Jan. 21, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, said Friday he was still evaluating whether to run to replace retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison." — Joe Barton considers run for Senate, Trail Blazers

• "State Board of Education Chairwoman Gail Lowe said Friday she will seek an opinion from the attorney general on whether a new board member meets statutory requirements to serve. Lowe announced the action after a social conservative group questioned whether board member Thomas Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, is eligible to serve because he is a lobbyist." — Attorney general to be asked whether SBOE member can serve, Trail Blazers

• "A proposal to cut 85 percent from the Emerging Technology Fund raises the question of whether the state's economic engine would even miss the $137 million in public money. It's an issue that divides even conservatives." — Proposed budget cut raises debate over value of state technology fund, Austin American-Statesman

• "As state legislators look to make up for a projected budget shortfall of at least $15 billion, [a] prison may be on the chopping block. A budget plan currently moving through Austin would shut down the facility, a step that would save the state $16 million in annual operating costs and could open the door for the 326-acre property's sale." — Budget proposal to close the century-old Sugar Land building could save city, state millions, free up land, Houston Chronicle

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "Voting for incumbent Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, did not come without consequences for state Rep. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas. It cost her "TeaApproved" status from the North Texas Tea Party." — State Rep. Stefani Carter Loses "TeaApproved" Status

• "At the heart of Texas' wind-power boom lies a conundrum: Plenty of ranchers are eager to host wind turbines but few want to allow the unsightly high-voltage transmission lines needed to carry the power to distant cities. But state regulators are moving forward — and yesterday they approved a contentious project that runs through the Hill Country." — Texas OKs New Wind Power Transmission Lines