The Midday Brief: July 26, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

"Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White on Monday questioned whether Gov. Rick Perry acted ethically when he bought and sold a Hill Country lake lot while enhancing his investment by almost $500,000." — Bill White questions Texas Gov. Rick Perry's ethics in lake lot deal, The Dallas Morning News

"Tony Hayward, who became the face of BP's flailing efforts to contain the massive Gulf oil spill, will step down as chief executive in October and be offered a job with the company's joint venture in Russia, a person familiar with the matter said Monday." — BP's Hayward to leave as CEO; Russia job in works, The Associated Press

"The state of Texas is opposing an attempt by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to trademark the phrase 'The Alamo." — Texas opposes DRT trademarking 'The Alamo', Houston Chronicle

"We asked Gov. Rick Perry and Democratic nominee Bill White for a list of the past several books they have read. Both are into history. Perry, World War II in the Pacific. White, early Texas. Here's what they sent us." — Rick and Bill's summer reading list, Texas Politics

New in The Texas Tribune:

"Efforts to fix the problem-plagued Driver Responsibility Program ultimately may not shield it from the wrath of lawmakers." — Lawmakers: Fixes Might Not Save Surcharge Program

"How can Texas rank last in the nation — 51^st — in the percentage of adults with high school diplomas, and simultaneously rank 22^nd in the percentage attending at least some college?" — Why Does Texas Rank Last in High School Diplomas?

"The statewide disability group ADAPT of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project commemorated the 20th anniversity of the Americans with Disabilities Act today by filing more than 20 lawsuits across the state — targeting inaccessibility in restaurants and municipal buildings, and by doctors and police officers." — Disability and Civil Rights Groups Sue For Access

"U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents with mental disabilities have been mistakenly deported because they were unable to effectively defend themselves, according to a study released by the American Civil Liberties Union and the non-profit Human Rights Watch." — Study: Some Disabled Immigrants Face Deportation