The Midday Brief: Sept. 1, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "As Gov. Rick Perry chats up potential donors for his presidential campaign in Midland today, he might want to avoid talking about creationism with his host, 1990 GOP gubernatorial nominee Clayton Williams." — Perry and Clayton Williams at odds over creationism, Postcards

• "Texas State Teachers Association President Rita Haecker said Thursday the quality of education in Texas schools has declined during Gov. Rick Perry's decade in office — capped off by the decision of Perry and the Legislature earlier this year to cut $4 billion in education funding over the next two years. 'Rick Perry is starving public education in our state,' Haecker said during a media conference call sponsored by the Democratic Party. 'Thousands of teachers have lost their jobs and we fear that more will follow.'" — Teacher leader blasts Perry's record in education, Trail Blazers

• "Just before Labor Day weekend, two San Antonio multi-millionaires will co-chair a $25,000-a-couple country club fundraiser for Republican Gov. Rick Perry, an event meant to persuade business leaders beyond Texas to help their friend win the White House." — Rick Perry’s donors fare well, Texas-style, The Washington Post

• "Former city Rep. Beto O'Rourke on Wednesday confirmed that he will run in the March Democratic primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes." — Beto O'Rourke to challenge Reyes for Congress, El Paso Times

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "In a report released this morning, the Texas electric grid operator warned that power plant capacity in Texas would experience potentially critical reductions if a federal pollution rule goes into effect as scheduled in January." — "Risks of Outages" Under EPA Rule, Grid Operator Warns

• "On the national stage, Texas' economy is its best selling point. But the so-called 'Texas Miracle' doesn't extend statewide: In the border region, unemployment reaches as high as 13.2 percent, and the median income is 30 percent lower than the statewide average." — What's Different About the Border Economy?

• "Mexican journalist Alejandro Hernandez Pacheco was granted asylum last week by the U.S. government. His attorney says it's a sign U.S. officials are no longer confident the Mexican government can protect its citizens from drug cartels." — Mexican Journalist Wins Asylum in Texas

• "Texas' institutions of higher education are increasingly looking to outside sources for help tackling low graduation rates. This week, Complete College America announced a million-dollar grant to help Texas handle students who show up to college ill prepared." — Grant Will Help Community College Students Get Up to Speed