Your afternoon reading:

• “Candidates can officially start filing for the March primary next week but there have been enough early announcements to show where the action will be.” — Tarrant Republican primary ballot will be packed — PoliTex

• “When projected state budget cuts hit in the next couple of years, public university and college presidents can blame the economy when they are forced to close programs or reduce staff.” — College chiefs told not to look for bailouts — San Antonio Express-News

• “In lean budget times, state leaders must set priorities, and it’s important to know when it’s time to walk away from a bad deal.”— As 2011 budget crisis looms, should most expensive prison units be closed? — Grits for Breakfast

• “Military investigations into the Nov. 5 shooting spree here intensified Tuesday, with the arrival of two former top officials leading a Pentagon probe into what could have been done to prevent the shootings.” — Probe in Fort Hood Intensifies — Wall Street Journal

• “If early reactions are any indication, Texas Democrats and non-partisan fans of popular Houston Mayor Bill White will be giving thanks over their holiday feast that he appears to be abandoning the race for the U.S. Senate in favor of seeking the governor’s office next year.” — Campaign switch by Bill White would boost the profile of the governor’s race — Houston Chronicle

New in The Texas Tribune:

• “No Texas races, by that publication’s estimation, belong in the more vulnerable ‘leans’ or ‘tossup’ categories.” — 2010: CQ’s Take on Texas — The Texas Tribune

• “Democrats are still waiting to see if Houston Mayor Bill White will step in to the party’s race for Texas Governor.” — Help from Above? — The Texas Tribune

• “If they were managed by one district, it would be among the largest school systems in the state.” — Charter School Crossroads — The Texas Tribune

Note: The Brief will take a break for the holidays and return on November 30. Happy Thanksgiving!

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