The Midday Brief: Top Texas Headlines for March 8, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "President Obama is naming Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to succeed his ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, who’s leaving April 30. Officials say a top candidate to replace Locke is Ron Kirk, the U.S. Trade Representative." — Ron Kirk favorite for Commerce Secretary, Politico

• "During a radio interview with Peter Schiff, a former economic adviser to Ron Paul’s presidential campaign, Dick Morris thought he’d be talking about his new book, and seemed annoyed when he found himself discussing trends within the Republican Party. … 'I strongly oppose Ron Paul,' Morris said. 'I think he’s horrific. He wants us to end the War on Drugs. He wants us to end the War on Terror.'" — Dick Morris calls Ron Paul 'horrific', Politico

• "When Mike McKinney received the letter from the president of a prestigious national organization urging him to resist the influence of a conservative think tank, the A&M System chief threw it away, he said." — AAU tells A&M to resist reforms, The Eagle

• "Having combed through the health and human services budget looking for ways to shave costs, state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, said on Tuesday the House is still $6 billion short of what is needed." — House faced with realities of health and human service cuts, Postcards

• "A proposal to allow Sunday liquor store sales is dividing two trade industry groups, meaning it could have a rough ride this legislative session." — Sunday liquor sale proposal could face rough road, Trail Blazers

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "The B-On-Time Student Loan Program offers sweet savings for students at public universities. But, if you are an institution of higher education, the program might be costing you anywhere from a few thousand to millions of dollars." — B-On-Time: Good for Students, Not for Some Schools

• "During Tuesday's Senate Education committee meeting, senators considered legislation that could dramatically change the way school districts operate — including two bills that target the dreaded 'unfunded mandates.'" — Senators Debate Productivity Center, Class Size