The Midday Brief: Sept. 17, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

• "Bill White gave perhaps his clearest answer yet on the debate about debates today, telling WBAP-AM's Mark Davis that the reason he won't release certain tax returns to meet Rick Perry's demand for a debate is that it would set a bad precedent." — Bill White says releasing tax returns for debate would set 'bad precedent', Trail Blazers

• "Citing what they call a gaping security along the U.S.-Mexico border presents, all 20 Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee are pushing House Democrats to schedule an urgent hearing on border security." — House Republicans demand hearing on border security, Texas on the Potomac

• "A state panel is discussing a draft report that says fire investigators weren't at fault when they determined that a deadly 1991 fire — one that killed three small children near Corsicana — was deliberately set." — Forensic panel debating report that clears investigators in Willingham arson case, The Dallas Morning News

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, released a new ad today letting voters know he's so conservative that he says "no" to President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but yes to protecting gun rights." — Chet Edwards Ad Touts His Conservatism

• "Republican state representatives and House candidates have pledged $200,000 to the Republican Party of Texas in the last week." — Republican Party Reduces Debt Significantly