The Midday Brief: Jan. 13, 2011

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Dallas, will not be seeking re-election in 2012. She issued a letter to supporters making the announcement that she would leave her post as the state's senior senator next year. 'That should give the people of Texas ample time to consider who my successor will be,' she said." — Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison Announces Retirement

Your afternoon reading:

• "House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, said state employees will be cut in the starting-point budget bill he files next week, and that furloughs also could be required." — Pitts: Expect layoffs and furloughs for state workers, Texas Politics

• "Mimicking proposed legislation in several other states, Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) suggested a constitutional amendment prohibiting Texas courts from enforcing, considering or applying religious or cultural law. Though the joint resolution itself does not specify ‘Sharia Law’ ­­­– the practices governing Muslim life, including family, work and religion – it falls under the umbrella of banned rules." — Texas Rep. Berman files resolution to ban ‘religious or cultural law’, The Texas Independent

• "In an interview with Burt Solomons, the House rules guru, yesterday, he identified two issues that members are concerned about." — Issues for the House rules debate, BurkaBlog