The Midday Brief: June 23, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

"Rep. Joe Barton will retain his position as the top Republican lawmaker on the House Energy and Commerce Committee after expressing remorse to his fellow GOP lawmakers for his apology to BP chief executive Tony Hayward." — Barton to keep seat as top Republican on committee, The Associated Press

"Just a few hours after Rep. Joe Barton was granted a reprieve from House Republicans, the Arlington congressman posted to his Twitter account a link to an American Spectator article headlined 'Joe Barton Was Right.'" — Hours after reprieve, Barton tweets "Joe Barton Was Right", Trail Blazers

"The battle over NASA's future continues. Hours after 51 space industry executives, academics and former astronauts released an open letter endorsing President Obama's game plan for the future of human space flight, the Texas delegation shot back with its own — and very different — perspective." — Texas lawmakers keep pressure on Obama over space shuttle's future, Texas on the Potomac

"Former Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt has taken a job with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and will act as the new director in charge of outreach with local and state law enforcement and non-governmental organizations." — Former HPD police chief takes job with ICE, Houston Chronicle

New in The Texas Tribune:

"Outgoing state Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, says he fully intends to retire and will withdraw his name from Senate District 22's November ballot." — TribBlog: Averitt's Out

"Barack Obama has announced a major initiative to end most homelessness in the United States within 10 years, specifically targeting veterans and single mothers with families. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune looks at how state agencies are responding to the president's plan." — Homing In on Homelessness