Texas Government Insider
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Making Headlines in Texas This Week
TAMU System authorizes capital plan with $831M for new FY 2026 projects
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) System Board of Regents has approved a $6.6 billion, five-year System Capital Plan, guiding the system’s critical infrastructure and system decisions for the immediate future. The budgeting document includes nearly $2 billion in...
Beaumont plans $700M infrastructure plan for citywide upgrades
The city of Beaumont is moving forward with a plan to invest $700.1 million into infrastructure projects over the next five years. The Community Investment Plan (CIP) outlines a series of infrastructure initiatives scheduled between 2026 and 2030. While many projects...
Hood County places $149M infrastructure bonds on ballot
Voters in Hood County, Texas, will decide on two propositions regarding bond sales for infrastructure improvements this November. County commissioners have approved placing the two measures on the Nov. 4 ballot. Proposition A seeks funds to expand the county jail...
McKinney City Council allocates $327.7M for capital projects
The McKinney City Council has officially approved a $942 million budget for fiscal year (FY) 2025 through 2026. From that amount, the city will invest $327.7 million in capital improvement program (CIP) projects. The city’s upcoming CIP covers the first segment of...
Governor issues executive order targeting hemp restrictions for minors
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has released an executive order directing state agencies to regulate the sale and distribution of hemp-derived products. The order is the governor’s latest effort to protect minors after he vetoed a proposed hemp and THC ban in the state’s 89th...
Lone Star: Aubrey A. Spear, San Jacinto River Authority’s general manager
This week’s Lone Star profile is Aubrey A. Spear, general manager for the San Jacinto River Authority. Your public career highlights and education I am currently the general manager for the San Jacinto River Authority in Conroe, Texas, where I've served since 2024....
Eight Texas public universities emerge as America’s top institutions
Texas public universities continue to climb national rankings despite federal funding freezes, student loan reforms and changes to educational policy. Forbes has recently released its annual ranking of the nation’s public and private colleges and universities. Among...
Dallas Area Rapid Transit adopts largest service change in its history
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors adopted a variety of proposed service changes this week, amounting to some of the largest services changes in the transit agency’s 40-year history. The service changes come as the board attempts to resolve a...
Texas A&M scientist helps reveal strongest clues yet for ancient life on Mars
A Texas A&M geobiologist has joined NASA in what may be the most convincing case yet for ancient life on Mars. Aggie Michael M. Tice and an international team discovered that Mars' Jezero Crater contains a surprising mix of volcanic and sedimentary rocks in the...