Texas Government Insider
Your Inside Track to Texas Government & Contracting News
Texas Government Insider (TGI) is SPI’s essential weekly publication, delivering the latest developments in state and local government for those doing business with the public sector in the Lone Star State.
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Making Headlines in Texas This Week
Federal award kick starts Texas’ $1.4B rural healthcare plan
Texas will distribute more than $1.4 billion over five years to improve rural healthcare services following the state’s funding approval through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The funding, awarded through CMS’s Rural Health Transformation...
DIR, Texas Tech target cybersecurity in energy infrastructure under new program
The Department of Information Resources (DIR) - in collaboration with Texas Tech University’s Global Laboratory for Energy Asset Management and Manufacturing (GLEAMM) has launched a new training course to better protect and harden cybersecurity for...
State awards $25M to expand recovery housing through UTHealth Houston
UTHealth Houston will receive $25 million in state funding to expand and enhance recovery housing resources, assisting individuals recovering from an opioid use disorder. Delivered by the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC), the funding will enable recipients...
Christianne Simmons: Fort Worth’s Chief Transformation Officer
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. salutes you, public sector officials: The Profiles in Power section spotlights and recognizes powerful figures across America’s public sector landscape. This week’s Profile in Power is Christianne Simmons, Fort Worth’s Chief Transformation...
Mineral Wells secures nearly $60M for systemwide water upgrade
The city of Mineral Wells, Texas, is entering the design phase for a water system improvement project following the approval of $58.8 million in state funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Construction is slated for early 2027. The TWDB will deliver...
TFC appoints new leader as major state facility projects continue
In late December, the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) appointed Will McKerall as interim executive director, filling the role of former executive director Mike Novak. McKerall officially assumed his responsibilities on Jan. 2, 2026. McKerall has been with the TFC...
Austin Energy outlines $735M plan to strengthen grid resilience
Austin Energy has announced its Electric System Resiliency Plan (ESRP) - a $735 million strategy designed to bolster the city’s energy resilience and reliability under extreme conditions. The ESRP outlines a series of measures to help ensure Austin residents,...
State unveils leadership for budget, policy team
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed five staff leadership roles in the Budget and Policy Division within the Office of the Governor. The Budget and Policy Division advises the governor on matters of creating and implementing state policy and fiscal information and...
Saluting Texas Lone Star: Courtney Arbour of TDLR
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. salutes you, public sector officials: The Profiles in Power section spotlights and recognizes powerful figures across America’s public sector landscape. This week’s Profile in Power is Courtney Arbour - Executive Director, Texas Dept. of...
El Paso unveils comprehensive climate action plan to guide city priorities
The city of El Paso has submitted its latest version of its Regional Climate Action Plan (CAP) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. The plan outlines the city’s objectives to halve greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero GHG...
Texas fast-tracks flood mitigation, prevention strategies following July flooding
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has expedited the timeline for implementing Senate Bills (SB) 3 and 5, amplifying efforts to address flood warning system deficiencies and deliver $50 million to install and operate outdoor warning sirens. Flash flooding...