The Midday Brief: Feb. 3, 2012

Your afternoon reading:

• "Undaunted, Ron Paul’s campaign is aggressively courting the LDS community, sending teams of supporters to canvas neighborhoods near Mormon temples. On their own, church members are talking up Paul in their tightly-knit communities and appealing to their family-focused culture by passing out copies of The Ron Paul Cookbook." — Paul gathers momentum among West’s Mormons, San Francisco Chronicle

• "Two key leaders of Gov. Rick Perry's team highlighted growing budget problems this week, with one projecting at least a $15 billion hole in the Medicaid program and another warning that the ban on social promotions will end unless lawmakers find money to help struggling students." — Leaders warn of more budget problems in Texas, San Antonio Express-News

• "Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has added another familiar name from the political world to his list of endorsements, Michael Reagan, son of former President and GOP hero, Ronald Reagan." — Michael Reagan endorses Dewhurst, Houston Chronicle

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "In a dramatic reversal on Friday, Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced it will continue funding breast exams at Planned Parenthood clinics, despite deciding earlier this week to cut off funding for the nation's leading family-planning and abortion provider." — Komen Will Continue Funding Planned Parenthood

• "The Legislature gave voters what they said they wanted last year: big budget cuts in lieu of tax increases. That meant slashes in education, health care and other services. Now it's election time again, and the question is: Are they pleased with the budget cuts they got?" — Voters Asked for Budget Cuts — Are They Happy With the Results?

• "Unlike other Gulf states, Texas beaches did not get soaked with oil after the BP spill two years ago. Nonetheless, $100 million — and possibly far more, depending on the courts and Congress — is about to start flowing to Texas from BP for coastal restoration." — BP Spill Money for Texas: $100M — and Counting

• "The University of Texas at Arlington unveiled more than just a new basketball stadium this week. Its new $78 million, 7,000-seat venue is also a key part of an effort to become a top-tier institution." — For UT-Arlington, More Than Just a New Building