The Midday Brief: March 31, 2010

“The decision came as little surprise to national Republicans, who have been pressuring Hutchison to stay in the Senate because they didn’t want to defend another seat in November’s competitive midterm elections.” — Kay Bailey Hutchison to stay in Senate — Politico

“Giving few details, he said he would ‘consider potential new areas for development in the mid and south Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico’" — Barack Obama eases offshore oil drilling ban — BBC

“Valles alleged during his detention hearing that a gang leader ordered the hit on Arthur Redelfs, an El Paso County sheriff's detention officer, because Redelfs mistreated fellow gang members at the jail.” — Suspect: Sheriff's officer was killed in retaliation for alleged mistreatment — El Paso Times 

“Texas' largest insurer filed suit against the state agency seeking to protect from disclosure certain information that State Farm said could benefit its rivals in the insurance industry.” — State Farm sues Texas over Web posting of its rate hike requests – The Dallas Morning News

“Being caught with a bag of marijuana in Bexar County could no longer mean an automatic trip to jail. Stealing a few beers or driving without a valid license also wouldn't necessarily get you arrested.”  — Tickets instead of jail trips —San Antonio Express-News

New in the Texas Tribune:

 “The political landscape of American government has dramatically shifted since I announced my US Senate candidacy almost 21 months ago,” Shapiro stated. “State government is now the last back stop to an over-reaching federal government.” — 2010: Flo Says No

“Despite assurances from Comptroller Susan Combs, whose agency adminsters the Texas Tomorrow Fund, former state Reps. Curtis Seidlits, D-Sherman, and Keith Oakley, D-Terrell, have launched the Tomorrow Families Fund to hold the state accountable to owners of those contracts.” — Tomorrow Never Dies

“Peña asked McCraw to compare the violence in Mexico to that during the drug war in Colombia. McCraw said the situation in Mexico is worse.” — Worse Than Colombia