The Midday Brief: June 10, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "The House Democrats declared victory Friday because of a successful amendment added to a state fiscal matters bill that taps any growth into the Rainy Day Fund — the pool of emergency funds held sacred by members of the GOP." — House Democrats tout victory passing amendment to tap Rainy Day Fund, Trail Blazers

• "With primary season just months away, the Texas Republican Party is weighing whether to hold another presidential straw poll." — Texas GOP mulling second presidential straw poll, PoliTex

• "If Perry is mulling candidacy, and this bill could hurt Republican candidates, that means his signature could hurt his shot at the White House (if he chooses to run)." — Perry Watch: Is Rick Perry playing games with the date of the 2012 Texas primary for his own gain?, Texas on the Potomac

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "A revised version of Rep. Rob Eissler's class size bill, which expands the Texas Education Agency's authority to grant waivers, quickly cleared the House." — Second Life: Where Do Education Bills Stand in the Special Session?

• "While you were sleeping last night, lawmakers in the Texas House were engaged in a passionate debate over "pansexual" politics that nearly killed the entire fiscal matters bill, which is pretty much the main reason they're having a special session. Trust us — this is must-see video." — Video: "Pansexual" Amendment Debate

• "We break down the cost to taxpayers of the regular and special sessions. It's not chump change, but one political science expert argues the relatively low pay for lawmakers keeps many Texans from being able to run for higher office." — Video: What Lege Sessions Cost Taxpayers and Lawmakers

• "With the Big Dry upon us, the fight over the water percolating under the surface in Texas' underground aquifers was bound to get contentious before the end of the legislative session. And it did, at least for a while, because of one modifier." — This Session, Water Policy Rode on One Word