The Midday Brief: Jan. 17, 2012

Your afternoon reading:

• "Things are getting a little bit more interesting in the Republican primary for Senate. David Dewhurst still holds a large lead over Ted Cruz, but it's down from 29 points in September to now just 18. Dewhurst is at 36% to 18% for Cruz, 7% for Tom Leppert, 4% for Craig James, 2% for Joe Agris, 1% each for Glenn Addison and Lela Pittenger, and 0% for Charles Holcomb." — Romney, Dewhurst lead in Texas, Public Policy Polling

• "Under new pressure to release his tax returns, Mitt Romney on Tuesday acknowledged that he pays an effective tax rate of about 15 percent because so much of his fortune comes from past investments." — Romney Says His Effective Tax Rate Is ‘Probably’ 15%, The New York Times

• "Republican U.S. Senate candidate David Dewhurst raised more than $1.54 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and since late last summer has 'received over $6.1 million dollars, dramatically eclipsing all other candidates in the race,' his campaign said Tuesday." — Dewhurst raised $1.5 million in the fourth quarter, his Senate campaign says, Trail Blazers

• "Attorney General Greg Abbott ended December with $12 million in his campaign bank account - a figure that shows he is well-positioned to run for governor in two years." — Abbott, flexing muscle for future race, has $12 million in the bank

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "Despite condemnation from Turkey's foreign ministry, Gov. Rick Perry today defended his description of the U.S. ally as a country under the rule of 'Islamic terrorists.'" — Perry Stands By Turkey 'Terrorists' Statements

• "During a question-and-answer session with voters in South Carolina, Gov. Rick Perry said he would eliminate the Small Business Administration, which provides loans, counseling and other assistance to small businesses." — Perry Adds New Agency to Chopping Block: SBA

• "Dallas-area lawmakers came before the board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs on Tuesday, warning members against granting tax credits to low-income housing developers who haven’t met all of the state’s requirements." — Dallas-area Lawmakers Question Housing Department  

• "Texas lawmakers and hospital administrators took a hard look Tuesday at the state Medicaid waiver recently OK'd by the Obama administration." — Lawmakers, Hospital Administrators Revisit Texas Medicaid Waiver