The Midday Brief: July 28, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

"Former Houston Mayor Bill White (D) has more money in the bank than Gov. Rick Perry (R) and polling shows the contest close. It's still Texas in a good Republican year, which should help Perry, but White is running an effective campaign to capitalize on discontent directed at the incumbent." — Texas governor's race moved to "toss-up", The Washington Post

"Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison joined Republican leaders today in opposing Democrats' $15 billion energy bill, only a day after the majority party released the proposed legislation." — Hutchison on the front lines of GOP's efforts against latest energy bill, Trail Blazers

"Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, the ranking House Republican on the Joint House-Senate Economic Committee, unveiled a chart at a Capitol Hill news conference to underscore GOP contentions that the 2,801-page overhaul creates a 'bewildering array of new government agencies, regulations and mandates.'" — Brady's chart ridicules Democrats' health overhaul, Texas on the Potomac

New in The Texas Tribune:

"In Texas and nationwide, controversy is escalating over the practice of shooting water, sand and chemicals underground to retrieve natural gas. Some companies have responded by using less dangerous chemicals." — Gas Drilling Companies Claim to Use Safer Chemicals