The Midday Brief: Dec. 6, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

• "Defense lawyers for John Edward Green said in a Harris County courtroom this morning that Texas has executed two innocent defendants and the procedures surrounding the death penalty in Texas are unconstitutional." — Death penalty hearing begins in Harris County courtroom, Houston Chronicle

• "All fees, surcharges and other revenue-raising measures would be classified officially as taxes under a state constitutional amendment proposed today by a veteran House Democrat." — Dem: If it quacks like a tax, it's a tax, Trail Blazers

• "State Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth and state Rep. Mark Strama or Austin, both Democrats, have filed nearly identical bills that would require school districts to develop strategies to combat bullying including cyber-bullying. Under both measures, districts would have to train school employees on the issue and launching an educational program geared toward students and parents." — Bullying bills draw two high-profile supporters: Facebook, Joel Burns, PoliTex

• "U.S. Reps. Joe Barton (R-Arlington) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Dallas) figure prominently on a government watchdog’s list of 'Most Embarrassing Re-Elects of 2010.' Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) singled out Barton for his notorious apology to BP (among other things) and Johnson for nepotism and college scholarships." — U.S. Reps. Barton, Johnson make watchdog’s list of ‘Most Embarrassing Re-Elects’, The Texas Independent

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "The goal of the legislation was lofty: to help people who have been exonerated clear their criminal records, quickly and completely. The unexpected result? News organizations must pay hundreds of dollars in monthly fees to keep a copy of the state’s criminal records database." — DPS Makes Media Pay Big Fees For Criminal Records

• "New jobless numbers show that the nation as a whole added fewer jobs than expected last month. Here in Texas, things appear better, but there are still plenty of people out of work — and the job market can be an especially daunting place for those who are out of work the longest." — Unemployment Benefits Set to Run Out for Many