The Midday Brief: June 10, 2010

Your afternoon reading:

"White, a man of constant and careful calculation as best I can tell, must have decided that his million-dollar investment in BTEC Turbines, a company with which he'd had dealings as mayor, was worth any potential risk." — Is 'Battlin' Bill' on the ropes?, Texas Politics

"Former University of Texas regent Bob Rowling, whose support for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison sparked one of the bitter skirmishes of the GOP primary battle, is one of the statewide campaign chairmen announced today by Gov. Rick Perry." — Perry announces state leaders, including gone-then-back-again Bob Rowling, Texas Politics

"The Texas Democratic Party went to court Thursday to find out who funded a petition drive for the Green Party that could help Gov. Rick Perry and other Republicans win close races this fall." — Texas Democrats head to court over Green Party ballot funding, The Dallas Morning News

"In a new push designed to bolster security and curb contraband in Texas’ massive prison system, officials for the first time plan to order random drug tests for most all the 41,000 guards and other corrections employees." — Random drug tests for prison guards, Postcards

New in The Texas Tribune:

"Texas' participation in the federally funded summer food service program is dismally low compared to the national average — meaning only a small percentage of the state's 2.5 million low-income kids are getting free meals." — The Big Hungry

"The oilman told the Tribune on Wednesday that BP's CEO has made some verbal 'boo-boos' but offshore work must continue: 'You know, we can drill those wells in the deep water. I don't think there's any question about that.'" — T. Boone Pickens: The TT Interview