Texas Government Insider
Texas Government Insider 11-06-26
A new and good reason not to worry about economic vitality when voters put new leadership in place throughout America
by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Hopefully this is only the first of many good reasons as to why economic vitality will be boosted in 2027.
Democrats sweep Texas statewide offices, regain control of House
Texas Democrats win the governorship, U.S. Senate race and statewide offices while regaining control of the Texas House in the 2026 elections.
Read More » | Results Of Statewide Races »
Texas Gov.-elect Hinojosa announces four transition leaders
Texas Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa named four bipartisan transition leaders, including Joe Madden, Ernest Bailes, Ryan Pollock and Tamala Barksdale.
Austin voters approve $295M in parks, library bonds
Austin voters approve $295 million in parks and library bonds while rejecting Proposition I, a charter amendment requiring recurring efficiency audits.
North Texas flood study identifies $160M in proposed projects
A North Texas study projects $2.3 billion in additional flood losses and identifies nine proposed infrastructure projects totaling $160.2 million.
Houston mayor names two directors as city consolidates operations
Houston Mayor John Whitmire appoints new HR and Neighborhoods directors as the city advances purchasing reforms and operational restructuring.
Texas announces $87M for rural hospitals, health care providers
Texas HHSC will award $87 million to rural health care providers for medical equipment, facility improvements, workforce development and preventive care.
TxDOT plans $103M interchange reconstruction near Texas A&M
College Station plans improvements at Wellborn Road and George Bush Drive to reduce congestion, address railroad delays and improve safety near Texas A&M University.
Cameron County plans $46.3M international bridge to Mexico
Cameron County plans a $46.3 million bridge connecting Brownsville and Matamoros, with questions surrounding construction deadlines and project funding.
Greg Spearman
Consulting Partner
Wylie promotes from within to fill city manager position
Renae Ollie is set to become Wylie’s next city manager early next year. Ollie, currently deputy city manager, will move into her new role on Jan. 5, following a 6-0 vote by members of city council. She will succeed Brent Parker, who has been city manager since May 2022. Ollie has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree in city planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
New police chief started as Kilgore patrol officer
Johnathan Gage is being promoted to Kilgore’s chief of police this month. City Clerk Taylor Owings will swear him in on Nov. 13. Gage began working for the Kilgore Police Department (KPD) in March 1998. He left to join the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission in January 2003, but returned to KPD in May 2004 as a patrol officer and was later bumped up to patrol sergeant, support lieutenant, patrol lieutenant and assistant chief. He also served as a member of the Longview SWAT team from 2007 to 2010.
Tomball economic development executive shifts to Conroe
Tiffani Wooten is the new executive director of the Conroe Economic Development Council. Previously, Wooten was the assistant director of the Tomball Economic Development Corporation. During her 18 years in Tomball, she helped bring in nearly $500 million in private capital investment, according to a city news release. Before her stint in Tomball, Wooten was executive director for two different economic development offices in Kansas.
Canton selects lieutenant to serve as police chief
Steve Hall, a lieutenant for the Canton Police Department (CPD), will now lead the agency as its next chief. Hall has spent the past 30 years with CPD, including 20 years as a canine officer before being promoted to corporal, sergeant and, eventually, lieutenant. Today is his first official day as chief, following the retirement of Brad Allison, who had worked for the City of Canton for more than three decades.
New Somerville city administrator begins work immediately
Mary Tolman has departed the City of Morgan’s Point Resort for a new opportunity in Somerville. The city council in Somerville approved her hiring as city administrator at a recent meeting, and Tolman began work immediately. In Morgan’s Point Resort, Tolman wore several hats, serving as assistant city manager, chief financial officer and director of human resources. Earlier in her career, she worked for the Brownsville Independent School District.
NYPD veteran will lead Brownsville Police Department
Angel Figueroa Jr. has been selected to serve as Brownsville’s next police chief. He begins Dec. 14. Figueroa, who has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, arrives from the New York Police Department, where he is currently Deputy Chief and Executive Officer of the Manhattan South Patrol Borough, overseeing approximately 2,500 personnel. He also serves as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice.
Governor’s Appointments (Nov. 2 – 6):
No new appointments announced this week
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