Your afternoon reading:

• “Sixteen-year House member Sheila Jackson Lee is flirting with the idea of launching a campaign for the top slot of the 42-member Congressional Black Caucus.” — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee weighs bid for leadership of Congressional Black Caucus — Texas on the Potomac

• “UTB and TSC leaders say they do not yet know what the implications will be of the decision reached this week by the University of Texas System Board of Regents to terminate the partnership between the two institutions.” — Questions remain on UTB, TSC split — The McAllen Monitor

• “Not too many years from now, when Texas and other states have become majority Hispanic, Republicans may look at the immediate aftermath of the 2010 midterm elections as a seminal moment.” — Republicans face a crucial choice on immigration —San Antonio Express-News

• “A major budget-slashing proposal that aims to cut the deficit by up to $4 trillion calls for ending the V-22 Osprey program, but U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry said the Osprey remains vital to the nation’s military.” — Deficit threatens Ospreys — Amarillo Globe-News 

New in The Texas Tribune:

• “State Rep. Tan Parker, R-Denton, has left Team Straus and is backing state Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, instead. Not one to let a public criticism go unanswered, the speaker has released a letter to House members penned by current GOP chairmen, affirming their support for conservative policy proposals like voter ID, drawing conservative districts and putting an “end to sanctuary cities.” — Texas House Chairmen Issue Letter Backing Straus

• “Five years ago, when energy prices soared, John Graham, the director of the University of Texas’ basketball arena, went on a mission.” — How UT’s Basketball Arena Slashed Its Energy Use

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