The Midday Brief: April 1, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

“Health and Human Services Commission chief Tom Suehs presented lawmakers Wednesday with an estimate of $27 billion over a decade to expand health insurance coverage. It had been about $24 billion.” — State estimates health care overhaul will cost Texas $27 billion — The Dallas Morning News 

“The attempts to blockade soldiers inside their bases - part of seven near-simultaneous attacks across two northern states - appeared to mark a serious escalation in Mexico's drug war, in which cartel gunmen attacked in unit-size forces armed with bulletproof vehicles, dozens of hand grenades and assault rifles.” — 18 gunmen killed in attacks on Mexican army bases — San Antonio Express-News

“The San Antonio City Council was scheduled to decide Thursday whether to spend about $450,000 to help cover utility, maintenance and security costs for the next 18 months while the Museo Alameda tries to get back on its feet.” — Nation's largest Latino museum seeks bail out — The Associated Press

“Alternatively nicknamed the "pole tax" and the "titty tax," the $5-per-customer fee on live nude entertainment at venues allowing alcohol consumption was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2007.” — Texas Supremes Ponder 'Pole Tax' — Austin Chronicle

“Officials said the tougher tailpipe standards would save consumers money at the gas pump, reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil and lower emissions of carbon dioxide and other climate-altering gases.” — EPA raises gas mileage rules, sets first greenhouse limits — Houston Chronicle

New in the Texas Tribune:

“Wednesday was the birthday of the late Mexican-American civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. Hispanic state legislators in Texas marked the occasion by launching a new challenge to the State Board of Education's social studies curriculum adoption process. Nathan Bernier of KUT News reports.” — Making History

"HHSC Commissioner Tom Suehs estimates that health care reform’s top-dollar items — Medicaid expansion to roughly 2.1 million Texans, plus heightened reimbursement rates for primary care physicians — will cost the state more than $27 billion between 2014 and 2024, up $3 billion from his most recent estimate.” — The $27 Billion Question