The Midday Brief: June 28, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

“It looks like harvest time in Texas, but for fourth-generation farmer Bert Gohlke it's actually a financial disaster.” — Historic drought causes $3 billion loss in Texas, CBS News

“Representative Michele Bachmann’s entry into the presidential race on Monday ensures one particular repeat of the 2008 campaign: another chance to test the impact of gender on American politics.”  — Running Against Bachmann Poses Challenges for Male Rivals, New York Times

“Conservative groups have rolled out a new pledge aimed at reining in the budget deficit, and will be rating lawmakers on how they measure up on that task.” — Conservative Groups Press Lawmakers to Pledge Spending Cuts, Caps, Wall Street Journal

"The Texas Legislature approved a bill Monday that would both compel the state to push the Obama administration to convert Texas’s Medicaid program into a block grant and defund abortion providers like Planned Parenthood." — Texas To Defund Planned Parenthood, Politico

 “More than 100 employees will keep their jobs for another year as Keller school district officials plan to use $4.8 million in federal money to offset a failed election to raise taxes.” — Keller school district to save 113 jobs, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

New in the Texas Tribune:

 "Weatherford car dealer Roger Williams switched from the U.S. Senate race to a race for Congress this morning, finishing up a swap that began last week with calls to supporters in and around the new CD-33". — Williams Drops Senate Bid To Run For Congress

 “SB 4, the Legislature's attempt at redrawing congressional lines to make room for four new districts, has made its way through the House and Senate. It's now with Gov. Rick Perry, who can sign the bill, veto it or let it rest on his desk to become law on its own. No matter his decision, however, the issue is likely to end up before the U.S. Department of Justice and in federal court.” — Interactive: Visualizing The Congressional Redistricting Proposal

“Two weeks after Gov. Rick Perry flew to Los Angeles to speak at an anti-abortion rally sponsored by Unidos Por La Vida, the video of his June 11 speech is finally available for viewing.” — Video: Perry's Speech at Anti-Abortion Rally in LA