The Midday Brief: March 1, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

• Haven't seen a Perry yard sign? There aren't any, and Perry has no local office to house them. Dreading yet another phone call from a political candidate? Don't worry; Perry has no phone banks. And you probably won't see supporters with T-shirts knocking at the door — Gov. Rick Perry's campaign is more text than talk — Dallas Morning News

• “Wharton political activist Debra Medina has questioned whether Texas needs a state child welfare agency. Medina, a Republican candidate for governor, suggested over the weekend that the state perhaps hand off child-protection duties to local law enforcement agencies closer to the people.” — Medina questions need for state-level CPS — Trail Blazers

• “The question is where do the moderates go?  Clearly if Perry wins, and extremism continues to become bedrock mainstream for the Republican Party of Texas, a wide swath of voters will be up for grabs and available for Bill White.” — Where Will Hutchison Supporters and Donors Go? — Burnt Orange Report

• “We've compiled some of the songs used by the campaigns (and one supporter) to create a Texas primary playlist.” — Politex playlist: 2010 Texas primary edition — Politex

• “After Nicole at Texas Prison Bidness suggested private prison contracts might end up on the chopping block in light of Texas' massive budget shortfall predicted by the next legislative session, I asked the Department of Criminal Justice which private prison contracts will be up in the coming year. Here's the list.” — Which prison units should Texas close? Private contracts, security concerns may factor in — Grits for Breakfast

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "In the spirit of Web 2.0, we're going to cover election day/night 2010 with your help. Our photographers will be in a few places around the state, but our readers and viewers will be in far more. So please start sending in your photos, updates and other ephemera from throughout the day starting at NOON tomorrow, to MEDIA@TEXASTRIBUNE.ORG."  — 2010: Election Night Needs You — The Texas Tribune