On our fourth anniversary, Texas Government Insider subscriptions reach 25,000

Today, many of our readers who have stuck with us since those humble beginnings are now part of the more than 25,000 TGI subscribers - a milestone we reached recently!

Today, we average 40 stories per week and 20 or more color photographs and mug shots. We search sources throughout the state for stories on public sector entities - K-12 public schools, higher education (community colleges and universities), city government, county government, state government and healthcare. Our friends in governmental agencies from throughout Texas also send us items of interest.

Each week the TGI lead story is either breaking news or an interview with a government executive about topics of interest to a majority of our readers. We've even produced a TGI "exclusive" story that broke before any of the major media outlets carried it.

We instituted a popular weekly column called "Texas' Lone Stars," in which we ask the movers and shakers in government to answer a few questions and let our readers see perhaps a side of those folks they never knew - like finding out the best advice they've received for their current job, where they might be found if they left work early or something about them others would be surprised to know. We've featured lots of interesting individuals - from the governor to agency leaders and public school superintendents.

We provide links each week to newly released reports, documents and research. There is a listing of links to upcoming events, and our weekly Calendar of Events that not only gives information, but also includes links to event registration pages.

Frankly, we've been amazed that so many loyal readers would help us make TGI what it is today. As often as not, when some of us from Strategic Partnerships introduce ourselves, someone will say, "Oh, you're the ones who publish Texas Government Insider." We like that a lot!

We've had some compliments over the years. One person told us they like TGI because it has stories their local newspaper doesn't have. That kind of comment makes us particularly happy, as we designed TGI to distribute news about the "real" people in the public sector - school officials and teachers, city managers, county officials, university and community college educators and the elected officials, staffers, executives and others who ensure that state government meets the needs of the people of Texas.

One reader wrote that TGI was so chocked full of information and news that he didn't know why we didn't charge for it. (Don't worry - we're not!)

Others have told us they look forward to TGI's arrival by e-mail each week so they can read about their friends and co-workers and things that are happening in government throughout the state.

Some statewide organizations include all or part of TGI in their own newsletters. We are flattered.

There was a time when we called for interviews when we'd have to explain what the Texas Government Insider is. That does not happen much anymore.

So, as we head into our fifth year of publication, we thank you for your continued support of TGI. We hope you will continue reading, and continue signing up your friends and co-workers for their free copy and continue forwarding it on to others who might be interested.

Our promise of four years ago is still good - we will continue to bring you the latest in government and procurement news from throughout the great state of Texas.

Thanks for helping us reach this tremendous milestone - 25,000 subscribers and counting!