Texas Government Insider
2025 Archive
Lone Star: John Osborne President and CEO Lubbock Economic Development Alliance
My public career highlights and education: I’ve led economic development in three states, serving as chairman for multiple statewide organizations. A West Texas A&M MBA graduate and University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute alumnus, I’ve guided 300+...
UT System reshapes leadership hierarchy with confirmations to lead universities
The University of Texas (UT) System has stamped a series of key leadership changes for its universities, establishing a new hierarchy to guide and achieve the system’s goals and policies for the foreseeable future. Several of the appointments were officially announced...
Updated strategic plan outlines Port of Galveston’s future expansions to meet growth
The port of Galveston has updated its Strategic Master Plan, outlining new measures and projects vital to accommodating the port’s rapid growth and ongoing demand. The updated plan includes planned investments and projects over the next two decades. The port forecasts...
Laredo approves historic city budget with plans for over $500M in capital improvements
The city of Laredo has officially approved its over $1 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, the most expensive budget in city history. The city council also discussed the coming year’s $525.8 million Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), slated for approval at a later...
Sherman to welcome $400M nonprofit hospital to enhance regional healthcare services
The city of Sherman, Texas is in line for a new medical campus with services to expand healthcare access and accommodate emerging community and public needs. The Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) has announced that it will build a $400 million state-of-the-art...
Houston approves $314M disaster recovery plan
The Houston City Council approved a $314 million disaster recovery plan this month to address funding needs still lingering from Hurricane Beryl and the 2024 derecho. The plan uses federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), targeting...
Texas, USDA join forces in $750M worm-fighting effort
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will build a $750 million facility at Moore Air Base near Edinburg, Texas to prevent the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS) into the United States. Texas state and federal officials made the announcement Aug. 15,...
TDCJ veteran promoted to lead state’s largest prison network
Bobby Lumpkin, current chief operating officer of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), has been appointed as the agency’s new executive director effective Sept. 1, according to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. He will succeed Bryan Collier, who is...
TxDOT unveils $146B plan to improve transportation statewide
The state of Texas has officially unveiled the next iteration of its 10-year Unified Transportation Plan (UTP), outlining a $146 billion investment in critical transportation projects statewide. The 2026 UTP will be the third consecutive year that the plan exceeds...
Lonestar: John Austin Stokes Executive Director Concho Valley Council of Governments
My public career highlights and education: I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Concho Valley Council of Governments, where I work to advance regional collaboration across 13 counties in West Texas. I hold degrees in Political Science and Public...
Brownsville secures $28M for intelligent transportation projects
The city of Brownsville, Texas secured $27.8 million in funding for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) capital improvement projects. The funding comes from the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization and will be allocated toward projects seeking to...
Cedar Park joins Williamson County to launch spaceport development corporation
Cedar Park and Williamson County are partnering to launch the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation, a non-profit public entity dedicated to building infrastructure for spacecraft, rockets and satellites. Under Texas law, Spaceport Development Corporations...
Central Texas lakes near capacity as LCRA projections boost water outlook
Record rainfall in early July has filled up both Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan, drastically altering lake level projections while taking into account each lake’s conditions and storage capacity. While full lakes are good for the region, local homes and businesses may...
Georgetown plans $343M water reclamation facility project
The city of Georgetown is planning a $343 million water reclamation facility (WRF) to bolster local water treatment capacity. The Three Forks WRF project is currently in the design phase, with construction for the bulk of work slated to begin in 2027. The Three Forks...
Fort Worth adopts $182M Eastside Transportation Plan for major roadway upgrades
The Fort Worth City Council has officially adopted the Eastside Transportation Plan (ETP) for incorporation into the city’s Master Transportation Plan and Comprehensive Plan update. The ETP outlines the city’s efforts to invest $182 million into enhancing Route 89 and...
San Antonio launches $500M financing program for airport expansions
The city of San Antonio has established a $500 million program to help fund airport capital projects. The city’s new Texas Airport System Interim Financing Program seeks to deliver on the city’s six-year capital improvement plan (CIP), enabling San Antonio to advance...
FEMA provides updated disaster recovery timelines for Central Texas communities
Storms ravaged the Texas landscape in early July, resulting in severe winds and unprecedented flooding that left immense property and infrastructure damage in its wake. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has notified Central Texas homeowners, renters and...
As the redistricting saga continues, condensed timelines for 2026 elections concern county officials
As the ongoing redistricting stalemate plays out from Austin to Chicago and beyond, county leaders around Texas – both Republicans and Democrats – are now concerned about their ability to comply with Texas law under a potentially compressed timeline ahead of primary...
Texas Republican leaders close ranks to pressure Democratic lawmakers
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced this week that the FBI has granted his request to investigate and locate the Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state in an attempt to stop the passage of new GOP-favored congressional maps. The Democratic walkout is meant to deny...
Lone Star: Cesar Garcia, Kemah’s City Administrator
Saluting Texas Lone Star – Cesar Garcia City Administrator, city of Kemah My public career highlights and education: I have a bachelor's in management from Johnson and Wales. My master's is in sports management or sport administration from the University of Miami, and...
TXDOT awards $96M to improve transit access, safety statewide
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has awarded $96 million to transit agencies to support transit programs in rural and urban communities statewide. The funding will enable transit agencies to further expand transit services and improve accessibility...
CPS Energy approves $175M transmission line project outside San Antonio
The CPS Energy Board of Trustees has approved a $175 million project to strengthen Texas’ energy grid, expanding capacity to alleviate stress on the San Antonio area. Construction is estimated to begin in 2026. As temperatures rise year after year, Texans rely on air...
Texas Energy Fund approves $216M loan for new natural gas plant in Houston
Governor Greg Abbott has announced a $216 million low-interest loan from the Texas Energy Fund (TEF) to support the construction of a 456-megawatt natural gas facility at NRG Energy’s existing TH Wharton Generating Station in Northwest Houston. The loan, issued...
Texas A&M System pioneers pilot disaster recovery technologies, programs
The Texas A&M University System is taking the next steps to develop next generation technologies that assist disaster recovery and response following recent tragedies in the state. Spurred by climate change, natural disasters have sharply escalated in recent...
Bosque County’s future $1.2B data campus signals Texas digital growth push
As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital demand surge nationwide, Texas has become a major destination for data center development. Echoing the state’s efforts, Bosque County is soon to be home to a $1.2 billion state-of-the-art data center campus positioned...
UT Austin secures renewed federal funding for AI research and innovation
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) will receive continued funding to research and further innovate artificial intelligence (AI) following a recent federal commitment to the university. The funding comes as part of a recent $100 million public-private...
Texas ballot measure targets $850M fund for technical college capital projects
An amendment slated for the Nov. 4 state constitutional ballot has the chance to bolster Waco’s economy by establishing an $850 million endowment for Texas State Technical College (TSTC). The endowment would be a permanent source of funds for the college’s capital...
Apple ramps up U.S. production with $600 billion investment plan
The tech giant Apple has announced an additional $100 million investment to bring technology manufacturing back to America, bringing the total amount to $600 billion in private investments over the next four years. The decision follows as recent federal goals seek to...
Texas joins nationwide competition for a nuclear-powered future
A nationwide competition is brewing as lawmakers, developers and the public consider nuclear-powered energy facilities as the next step in energy production. With the rise of data centers supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and natural disasters that threaten...
Lonestar: Don Warren, Mayor of Tyler
My public career highlights and education: I was born and raised in Tyler, graduated from Tyler ISD and Texas Tech, and have served three terms on City Council and three terms as Mayor. I’ve helped lead major infrastructure, public safety, and quality-of-life projects...
Texas Legislature considers restricting local government’s use of bond funding
In his proclamation calling the Texas Legislature back into the First Special Session, Governor Greg Abbott included “legislation reducing the property tax burden on Texans and legislation imposing spending limits on entities authorized to impose property taxes.” By...
New Texas law broadens multifamily development into commercial areas
A new bill has been signed into law designed to address Texas’ housing shortage, accelerating developer efforts to convert office buildings and land into mixed-use or multifamily housing developments. Senate Bill 840 will go into effect in September, establishing...
Austin eyes FAA, ACC partnership to tackle air traffic controller shortage
The Austin City Council approved a resolution at its July 24 meeting, seeking to establish Texas’ first air traffic controller academy as the city works to combat an ongoing staffing shortage at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). In the resolution, the...
Texas issues $99M in tax credits to combat affordable housing shortage
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs recently awarded $99 million in tax credits that will help create and restore affordable housing across the state. Gov. Greg Abbott last week announced that the proceeds from the Housing Tax Credit Program will...
Texas leaders author legislation to facilitate mass production of drone technologies
Interest in drone technologies surges again as the Federal Legislature has introduced a bill to facilitate drone development at a military base. The bill, titled the SkyFoundry Act of 2025, will authorize a drone production and innovation facility at the Red River...
Kyle City Council greenlights $162M sportsplex master plan
The city of Kyle recently approved the $161.9 million master plan for an upcoming sportsplex campus. The project’s next step will be to procure an architect, followed by construction beginning at an unannounced date. The city has divided the project up into a series...
Massive $16.5B chips manufacturing deal poised to transform Taylor
The city of Taylor, Texas, will soon benefit from a $16.5 billion deal to expand the chip manufacturing sector into the city as a partnership between two tech powerhouses stands to bolster local economic growth. In an agreement between Tesla and Samsung, Tesla will...
UT System reveals sole finalists for system chancellor, UT Austin president
The University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents has narrowed down its finalists for its next system chancellor and UT Austin president to two leaders. The sole finalists are Dr. John Zerwas for the system’s chancellor and James Davis as president of UT Austin....
Liberty Hill approves design contract for planned North Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Liberty Hill City Council in Texas has agreed to a contract with a design firm for 30% design of the North Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant. The approved contract includes project administration, design confirmation, 30% design and a site survey, according to...
San Angelo advances $41.6M bond for Coliseum, Fairgrounds upgrades
The city of San Angelo passed an ordinance July 15 authorizing the issuance and sale of $41.6 million in taxable general obligation bonds to fund improvements to the city’s coliseum and fairgrounds. The bond issue was approved by voters in May. The city is projecting...
Texas assumes environmental permitting under new USDOT agreement
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has committed to taking greater ownership over the environmental permitting requirements process after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). By removing common...
TWDB approves monumental $2.7B investment in state water, wastewater projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will distribute nearly $2.7 billion in financial assistance to support water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the state. Each award will supplement local funds and expedite project delivery. A selection of the...
Hays County advances $440M road plan despite court setback
Hays County commissioners are moving forward with their $440 million plan to improve roadways and traffic flow despite funding uncertainty. Public officials said the county plans to borrow money—with no voter approval needed—to start work on a series of projects...
Fort Worth welcomes $687M semiconductor plant
The city of Fort Worth is expanding its technology manufacturing sector, welcoming an oversees company building its first plant within the city’s limits. Both Denton County and Fort Worth approved tax abatements to enable development on the plant. In total, the...
Texas Senate revisits ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying during Special Session
Legislation to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying is again gaining momentum in the Texas Senate as the Special Session in Austin gets underway. Senate Bill 12 by state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-River Oaks, was approved unanimously by the Senate State Affairs Committee and is...
Texas Hill Country sees NASA’s assistance with real-time flood mapping, aerial imagery
Following disastrous flooding across Central Texas, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) stepped in to provide innovative, real-time guidance and maps to local and state officials to aid in recovery efforts. NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination...
Houston updates construction timeline on $22M multimodal bridge project
The city of Houston has provided an updated timeline for a $22 million hike-and-bike bridge project in Uptown that will provide safe multimodal travel to Memorial Park. The city now anticipates beginning construction in 2026. The completed bridge will provide a direct...
Waller County invests $25 million to mitigate 500-year flood events
Waller County will use $25 million — recently allocated through the state’s approved budget — to build regional flood detention facilities and parkland on a 1,600-acre plot of land. The county plans to buy the parcel from the Houston Airport System to facilitate...
El Paso to begin design phase for transformative $207M deck plaza project
The design phase for the $207 million Downtown Interstate 10 Deck Plaza project in El Paso is slated to start this year. The project will build a deck plaza over I-10, enhancing the downtown area’s mobility and available mixed-use spaces. Construction is expected to...
Harris County approves broadband task force to expand internet access
Harris County Court Commissioners voted unanimously to establish a broadband task force to expand high-speed internet connections throughout the county. The initiative comes after US Ignite, a national nonprofit hired by the county to evaluate internet access needs,...
UT System selects two new leaders for UTHealth, UT Austin campuses
The University of Texas (UT) System has made two leadership changes, selecting Dr. Melina R. Kibbe as the sole finalist for president of the UT Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) and Dr. William Inboden as executive vice president and provost of UT...
Texas invests over $107M in infrastructure, road resilience projects
The Texas General Land Office will invest $107.8 million in federal Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds to strengthen roads and infrastructure. The funding, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will support improvements...
Texas Tech University system chancellor announces retirement following nearly seven-year stint
After serving seven years in the role, Tedd Mitchell, M.D., has announced that he will retire as chancellor of the Texas Tech University (TTU) System before the end of the year. Mitchell has been with the system for the past 15 years, initially beginning his tenure...
Port Arthur could host $5B ammonia production facility to boost energy production
Port Arthur is on track for a significant economic upheaval as the Houston-based energy supergiant Chevron plans to potentially build a $5 billion ammonia production facility in the city. If it moves forward, construction is slated to begin in 2027. Called Project...
Hays County to appeal court decision nullifying $440M voter-approved bond
The Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to pursue an appeal of a court ruling that overturned the county’s nearly $440 million voter-approved road bond from November 2024. The Hays County Commissioners Court called for a bond election in August 2024 that...
TxDOT unveils $101.6B, 10-year transportation plan for stakeholder feedback
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has opened the public comment period on its $101.6 billion, 10-year statewide transportation draft plan. The 2026 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) represents the third consecutive year that exceeds $100 billion,...
Space Shuttle Discovery bound for Houston under federal budget provision
Congress’ newly passed federal budget bill includes funds for the transition of the space shuttle “Discovery” from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, to Houston, Texas. The nearly 900-page bill includes a provision...
SpaceX receives Cameron County permit to build fuel facility at Boca Chica launch site
SpaceX has received the green light to build an air separator facility near Boca Chica Beach in Cameran County. The commissioners’ court voted to deliver a beachfront construction certificate and dune protection permit for the company’s project, located less than 300...
GLO awards nearly $50M to rebuild disaster-damaged communities
The General Land Office (GLO) has awarded $49.7 million to provide critical disaster recovery support for infrastructure, targeting roadway, drainage, sewer and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) improvement projects. Delivered through the Disaster Recovery...
Texas City moves into design phase for $41.5M municipal complex project
Texas City has selected an architect to design an upcoming $41.5 million municipal complex. Currently in the design phase, construction is expected to begin in May 2026. The existing city hall no longer has the capacity to effectively serve the logistical needs of...
Eagle Pass receives presidential permit to expand key U.S. – Mexico bridge
For the third time in just as many weeks, the White House has delivered good news for Port of Entry (POE) bridge projects along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. The White House is announcing a presidential permit for the city of Eagle Pass to expand and maintain a...
Sen. Hancock to assume acting comptroller July 1, Hegar exits for Texas A&M
North Texas Sen. Kelly Hancock will assume the responsibilities of acting comptroller on July 1 after current state Comptroller Glenn Hegar transitions to a new leadership role with the Texas A&M University System. The move comes after the system’s Board of...
Texas unveils $3.3B funding round for statewide broadband expansion
Texas is unveiling a renewed effort to expand broadband to unserved and underserved locations throughout the state. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts posted a new Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) yesterday outlining more than $3.3 billion in state and...
Texas water board approves $122M for water, wastewater projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is bolstering water and wastewater projects across the state with a financial assistance program totaling more than $122 million. The funds are designed to aid the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood...
Houston reinforces water, airport and road infrastructure in approved $16.7B capital plan
The Houston City Council has approved a $16.7 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Over the next five years, Houston will allocate nearly half of the CIP budget into water and wastewater infrastructure, totaling approximately $8.1...
HUD issues disaster, housing relief for Texas’ weather-damaged communities
A major disaster declaration has been issued for Texas, enabling the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide disaster recovery support for areas affected by storms and flooding in March. HUD will be able to deliver critical disaster aid to help...
30-year education veteran named lone finalist for Socorro ISD’s superintendent
A 30-year education veteran and interim superintendent has emerged as the finalist to the Socorro Independent School District (ISD) superintendent position in El Paso. After conducting a nationwide search and holding nine community meetings, the Socorro ISD Board of...
Presidential permit clears path for U.S.-Mexico bridge expansion in Laredo
Laredo, Texas, has received a presidential permit from the White House to commence construction on an international bridge crossing along the U.S.-Mexico border. The permit – a formal authorization required for cross-border infrastructure projects – clears the way for...
Houston ISD board unanimously approves $2.1B budget amid changing leadership
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has unanimously approved a $2.1 billion budget for the upcoming school year. The decision came from the district’s board of managers, which recently underwent changes when the Texas Education Agency replaced four of its...
USGS deploys water monitoring crews amid rising flood threats in Texas
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced that field crews will be measuring flooding across Texas following significant rainfall early last week. Many regions across Texas received more than five inches of rain, which resulted in flooding in areas across the state,...
North Texas adopts sweeping $217B transportation plan to meet future growth
The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) in North Texas has approved a sprawling $217.3 billion long-range plan to improve road, rail and public transportation. The council adopted the plan, dubbed Mobility 2050, on June 12 to address multimodal transportation needs...
Lawmakers approve $10B property tax relief package, pending voter approval in November
Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), Senate Bill 23 (SB 23) and House Bill 9 (HB 9) have been signed into law to provide tax relief to homeowners, seniors and small business owners as part of the state’s $10 billion property tax relief package. Because they amend the state’s...
Kerrville unveils downtown expansions, riverfront amenities in updated 2050 plan
Kerrville has adopted the final draft of the city’s modified 2050 Comprehensive Plan, updating the original 2018 document with several changes emphasizing resilience planning and economic development. The plan serves as a guide for the city’s growth over the next 25...
State lawmakers award $30M to renovate historic Corpus Christi theater
The first “talking” movie theatre in South Texas has remained silent for 36 years, but the Texas Legislature is awarding a $30 million grant from the Texas Preservation Trust Fund to bring it back to its 1929 glory. The Ritz Theatre operated as a cinema in Corpus...
Saluting Texas Lone Star: Marie Cohan – Statewide Digital Accessibility Officer, DIR
Saluting Texas Lone Star - Marie Cohan Statewide Digital Accessibility Officer, Department of Information Resources My public career highlights and education: Being recognized by the Governor’s Commission for Women as an Outstanding Woman in Texas Government was a...
Is FEMA as we know it about to be abolished?
National disaster management and recovery efforts may face significant changes according to recent statements made by President Trump. Making comments at the Oval Office, the president announced plans to “phase out” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after...
Texas launches $350M nuclear energy program under House Bill 14
The Texas Legislature has passed House Bill 14, a landmark bill catalyzing Texas’ developing nuclear industry and ushering in a new era of energy leadership. The bill establishes the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office (ANEO) alongside a $350 million investment in...
New Alamo laws seek to overhaul site and boost tourism
As renovation work at the Alamo presses onward, legislative action may see control of the historic landmark trade hands. The Texas Legislature approved two bills last week that would shift the site’s management and endorse new public exhibits. Gov. Greg Abbott is left...
Metal License Plates to Replace Temporary Paper Tags in Texas
Starting July 1, Texas vehicle buyers will receive metal license plates at the point of purchase, replacing temporary paper tags. The move follows the scheduled enactment of House Bill 718 (HB 718), which was signed into law during the 88th Legislative Session in...
NCTCOG launches $60M grant program for clean fleet upgrades
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) will open a Call for Projects this summer to distribute $60 million for updated fleets with clean energy-powered vehicles. Recipients chosen through the North Texas Zero Emissions Vehicles (NTx-ZEV) Project will...
Former Air Force Official Gina Ortiz Jones wins San Antonio mayorship
After a high-profile race, Gina Ortiz Jones has been elected as San Antonio’s next mayor. She will succeed Ron Nirenberg. Although Jones has ample public service experience, serving as mayor will be her first municipal role. She previously served as undersecretary of...
Tomball approves updated drainage master plan, details $31M for projects
The Tomball City Council has signed off on the city’s latest drainage master plan, documenting drainage infrastructure needs and proposed solutions. The master plan will be the first comprehensive update since the previous iteration, which was published in 2014. As...
Saluting Texas Lone Stars: Johnny Casias – City Administrator, City of Selma
My public career highlights and education: Educational highlights include a Bachelor of Arts – Government Degree from the University of Texas at Austin; Masters of Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word; Certified Public Manager from Texas...
Texas Legislature approves $20B to divert state water crisis
The Texas Legislature has approved a historic commitment to avert a water crisis, planning a $20 billion investment in state water infrastructure over the next two decades. Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) and House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7) are now awaiting the governor’s...
Houston approves $7B operating budget for 2026, focusing on safety, infrastructure
The city of Houston has officially approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget, directing approximately $7 billion to cover operating and capital improvement costs for the coming year. The new fiscal year begins July 1. While developing the budget, Mayor John Whitmire...
Texas Cyber Command coming to San Antonio, following $135M state investment
Texas residents, businesses and municipalities are slated to receive enhanced cybersecurity research and support following the signing of House Bill 150 (HB 150). HB 150, introduced during the 89th Legislative Session, designates San Antonio as the home of the new...
San Antonio proposes $250M development plan for multi-billion-dollar Project Marvel initiative
The San Antonio City Council is estimating up to $250 million in infrastructure upgrades to support a new sports district in downtown—Project Marvel. Project Marvel—a multi billion project to transform the downtown streetscape with a new Spurs arena, improvements to...
Texas High-Speed Rail Gains Momentum: Dallas Study Shows $5B GDP Boost
The Texas High-Speed Rail Project has received renewed support following an economic study on the proposed railway’s Dallas-to-Houston and Dallas-to-Fort Worth routes. The new study, commissioned in June 2024 by the Dallas City Council, analyzes the economic viability...
Fulshear Unveils $413M Infrastructure Boom to Support Explosive Growth
Fulshear, Texas—one of Fort Bend County’s fastest-growing cities—is proposing a $35.46 million investment in capital improvements for fiscal year (FY) 2025-26. The funding is part of a broader $413 million, five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) extending through...
Global RFID Leader Chooses Houston for First U.S. Manufacturing Hub
A global manufacturer of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies has chosen to establish its first U.S.-based manufacturing sites in Houston. The Taiwanese-based company recently announced that it would be expanding its operations to the U.S., selecting...
GLO awards over $12M in disaster recovery grants to flood-damaged cities
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has approved over $12 million in federal grants to support infrastructure and housing recovery projects across Texas. The funds come from the Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program (DRRP) and target communities with ongoing unmet...
Saluting Texas Lone Star: Jason Alexander – Deputy Chief of Airport Affairs, ABIA
Jason Alexander Deputy Chief of Airport Affairs, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport My public career highlights and education: I have served the City of Austin for 21 years, including seven on the City Manager’s executive team, and now manage government affairs...
Texas approves historic $8.5B funding bill for public schools, teachers
The Texas House has passed an $8.5 billion bill that will fund public school improvements, boost teacher salaries and enhance all walks of education in Texas. The school funding bill, House Bill 2, will inject billions into school districts statewide, expanding...
Austin injects $104M to I-35 “caps and stitches” projects
The Austin City Council has approved $104 million for the “Cap and Stitch” initiative on Interstate 35 (I-35). On May 22, the council voted 8-2, with one abstention, committing the city to fund critical infrastructure elements for a project that could transform...
Garland plans $71M soccer complex for second-tier professional sports club
The city of Garland will build a $70.9 million soccer complex with plans to lease it over the next two decades to a championship-level soccer team. The project is currently in the design phase. While the construction date has not yet been set, the city anticipates...
Sugar Land invests $12.5M to revitalize city’s historic town square
The city of Sugar Land last week approved a $12.5 million reinvestment for a major town square renovation project. The Sugar Land Development Corporation (SLDC) and the Sugar Land 4B Corporation (SL4B) approved the project, which consists of three, five-year...
Fort Worth agrees to $11M plan to improve the East Berry Corridor
The Fort Worth City Council is moving forward with the $11 million East Berry Corridor Plan. Adopted in May, the plan will revitalize East Berry Street from I-35W to Lake Arlington. After community input and nearly $1.7 million set aside for planning and preliminary...
General Land Office allocates over $45M for affordable housing developments, infrastructure
The General Land Office (GLO) has allocated $45.2 million to support multifamily housing projects and street and drainage improvements across five counties. The funds will help housing authorities across each county recover from disasters dating back to 2008, ensuring...
U.S. Army restructure lands Transformation and Training Command in Austin
The Army Futures Command (AFC) – based out of Austin – will be merged with the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), creating the Army’s Transformation and Training Command (ATTC). The ATTC will also be based out of Austin. The creation of the ATTC is a...
Pflugerville prioritizes roadways, trails, intersections in updated $217M mobility plan
The Pflugerville City Council has approved an updated mobility plan following multiple approved readings. The Pflugerville Pforward Mobility Master Plan (MMP) will be incorporated as a component of the Aspire Pflugerville 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The updated plan...
Saluting Texas Lone Star: Mauricio Vasquez – Deputy Director of Applications, Attorney General Child Support Division
My public career highlights and education: I’ve spent most of my career in public service, working at the intersection of technology, strategy, finance, and operations. Most of that time has been at the Office of the Attorney General, where I’ve had the opportunity to...
Texas Parks and Wildlife awarding millions for trail construction, maintenance
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will distribute more than $6.8 million to support trail construction and maintenance projects across the state. The awards come from the National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF), a program that directs taxes generated by...
TSC awards $20M in space industry contracts and grants
The Texas Space Commission (TSC) board of directors has announced more than $20 million in approved projects, with an additional $34 million remaining. At the board’s meeting Thursday, the commission announced it would award: Up to $10 million to CesiumAstro Inc....
Texas launches $6B initiative to secure water future
Texas has launched a $6 billion effort to safeguard long-term water security across Central and South Texas. Led by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), the WaterSecure Project could provide a sustainable solution for addressing the state’s water crisis. A...
New Braunfels to benefit from $1.4B highway expansion
Over the past five years, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been working on a $1.4 billion project to relieve traffic in the New Braunfels region by expanding the local highway. While the project has been approved and is in the design phase, the...
Texas BDO grants offer $3.8B for broadband expansion
The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) has made more than $3.8 billion available through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to expand high-speed internet access throughout the state. Applications for the first round are due Aug. 1, 2025,...
Dripping Springs voters approve $402M bond for schools
On May 3, more than 70% of voters in the Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) approved a $402.3 million bond to build a new school and make critical renovations to existing facilities. The construction of High School #2 is the largest investment...
Kyle maps ambitious water future with billions in projects
The city of Kyle has unveiled a Water Master Plan to guide the city over the next 50 years. The plan accounts for $6.6 billion in projects and is the city’s first comprehensive guideline, creating a framework for acquisition, management and maintenance related to...
Argyle ISD approves $423M for schools and tech upgrades
The Argyle Independent School District (AISD) has approved a monumental $423.2 million investment for improved campus facilities, recreation and technology infrastructure. Supported by local voters, the district will now be able to move forward with projects to design...
Texas Bitcoin strategic reserve bill heads to governor
The Texas Legislature has passed a bill to create a cryptocurrency reserve managed by the Comptroller of Public Accounts. The bill now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed into law. Senate Bill 21—titled the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Investment...
Saluting Texas Lone Star Salvador Hector Ochoa – President, TAMU San Antonio
My public career highlights and education: My career in higher education spans nearly 35 years, including 17 years as a faculty member and 17 years as an administrator with progressive leadership and responsibility. Previous roles include serving as dean of the...
Texas legislative session enters final stretch with key bills pending
As of press time on May 16, 2025. All figures and statistics in this report are current as of deadline but are subject to rapid change as the legislative session progresses. With just over two weeks remaining in the Texas Legislature's 89th regular session, lawmakers...
Celina voters greenlight $2.3B school building project
The Celina Independent School District (CISD) will move forward with a historic $2.3 billion investment in a slate of new school campuses and improvements to existing facilities. Voters approved the bond measure May 3. With funding secured, the district will start...
Sinking Texas cities create costly infrastructure threat
Major cities across the nation are sinking, affecting more than 34 million people and putting thousands of buildings at risk, according to newly released satellite data. In Texas, metropolitan areas such as Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas are among the most...
New criteria for Texas flood projects awaits final approval
A groundbreaking bipartisan bill designed to open and distribute vital funding to support water infrastructure has been approved by both the Texas House and Senate. If the governor approves Senate Bill 1967, the state will expand the definitions of a "flood project"...
San Antonio establishes panel to advance transportation priorities
The city of San Antonio has created an advisory body focused on advancing community-based transportation plans and policies. The Multimodal Transportation Commission will ensure the city places its residents first in all current and future transportation matters. The...
Water infrastructure gets $113.5M boost in Texas
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will distribute $113.5 million to support water and wastewater system improvements, line replacement and contaminant remediation projects. The city of Paducah will receive the largest sum—$22.7 million—to make various water...
Victoria to transform community center into multi-use covered arena
The City of Victoria has approved a $35 million renovation of its community center to transform the venue into a modern, multi-use facility capable of accommodating a broader range of events and activities. The renovation project includes a new covered arena with...
Port Houston maintains nation’s top waterway ranking
Port Houston is once again ranked the top waterway in the U.S., according to a report issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The sheer volume of tonnage passing through the port, compared to the report’s runner-up, is so large that the difference alone is...
Saluting Texas Lone Star: Ben Thatcher, Boerne City Manager
Ben Thatcher City Manager, City of Boerne My career highlights and education: Growing up in a city management family, I’ve dedicated over 23 years to local government. I’m currently the city manager of Boerne, Texas—guiding a 23,000-resident community with a...
Nearly $1B approved for San Antonio technical education growth
Community colleges in the San Antonio area have unlocked nearly a billion dollars for facility upgrades and expansions. In a recent election, voters approved an Alamo Colleges District bond package totaling $987 million, with more than 77,000 people voting in favor of...
Strategic power grid upgrade coming to Permian Basin
Texas utility regulators approved a groundbreaking infrastructure plan to construct the state's first extra high voltage transmission lines, intended to address growing energy demands in the oil-rich Permian Basin. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)...
UT System commits $100M to expand civic leadership program
The University of Texas (UT) System will create a permanent home for the School of Civic Leadership at UT Austin, using $100 million allocated by the Board of Regents. The investment will enable the university to renovate the century-old Biological Laboratories (BIO)...
Austin seeks added funds for $54.5M Barton Springs bridge
The City of Austin is working to secure additional federal funding to replace the Barton Springs Road Bridge, seeking support to compensate for gaps in the project’s anticipated budget. The project is in the design phase, with construction planned for 2027. Efforts to...
GLO allocates $45M for regional mitigation projects
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has approved another $45 million to supplement critical regional mitigation efforts across the state. The funding will enable two counties and four municipalities to execute water and roadway infrastructure improvements. Nueces...
Houston schools to invest $40M in critical infrastructure
Houston Independent School District (HISD) is preparing to move forward with a $40 million capital improvement program targeting critical HVAC and roofing needs across 36 campuses. The improvements, expected to take place during the 2025-26 school year, are intended...
CEOs rank Texas first in nation for business climate
Texas has been ranked the number one state for business for the 21st year in a row, according to an annual survey conducted by Chief Executive magazine. Ranked first above all 50 states, Texas has shown a continual dominance over its competition, drawing from the...
UT System names Zerwas as acting chancellor
John Zerwas, M.D., has been chosen as acting chancellor of The University of Texas (UT) System. He will succeed JB Milliken in the role, effective June 1. Zerwas currently serves as executive vice chancellor for health affairs for the UT System, a position he has held...
Saluting Texas Lone Star: Courtney Arbour of TDLR
Courtney Arbour - Executive Director, Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation Public service highlights and education: Much of my career has been dedicated to workforce development, where I have led programs designed to connect Texas employers with a skilled and...
Texas votes to establish SpaceX-centered city of Starbase
A new city centered around the space exploration company SpaceX has been officially incorporated following a vote on May 3. The city known as Starbase is currently inhabited exclusively by people connected to SpaceX—predominantly employees. Located in Cameron County...
Starbase incorporation vote begins amid SpaceX legislation defeat
Starbase, home to SpaceX’s launch and manufacturing site, sits on the Gulf Coast in Cameron County’s Rio Grande Valley, roughly 25 miles from Brownsville. The facility supports test flights of SpaceX’s Starship rockets—central to Elon Musk’s Mars ambitions—which...
Abbott appoints new leadership to Texas river authorities
Gov. Greg Abbott has made numerous leadership changes to the Boards of Directors (BOD) for the San Jacinto and Lower Colorado River Authorities. These government agencies are responsible for their respective river basins, including preserving water resources, managing...
BDO launches LEO satellite program to bridge digital divide
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) has officially opened applications for the $30 million Texas Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Broadband Grant Program. Applicants have until May 23 to submit an application. The initiative will help ensure that all Texans will...
$4B airport expansion positions DFW as global hub leader
American Airlines has invested $4 billion to help Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) build a new terminal. The windfall of funding will enable the airport to double the size of Terminal F, putting DFW on the path toward becoming the largest airport hub in...
Fulshear approves $212M water plan for expected growth
The city of Fulshear, Texas, is unveiling a new water infrastructure plan in anticipation of an additional 10,000 customers over the next five years. The updated Water and Wastewater Master Plan, approved by the Fulshear City Council, presents more than $212 million...
High-speed rail from Dallas to Fort-Worth gains momentum
City leaders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are exploring the possibility of a high-speed rail connection linking the metroplex. Fort Worth recently approved spending up to $75,000 for an economic impact analysis of a proposed high-speed rail route to Dallas, joining...
LoanSTAR program finances public sector energy improvements
The Texas Comptroller's Office is accepting applications for its LoanSTAR (Saving Taxes and Resources) Revolving Loan Program, offering low-interest funding to help public institutions implement energy-efficiency retrofits. The program allows eligible entities to...
Mansfield advances plan for walkable $1B community district
The city of Mansfield has kickstarted the design process for its upcoming $1 billion mixed-use community district. Construction is expected to begin later this year. The district—known as The Reserve—will be built as part of a public-private partnership (P3) between...
Belton invests in public safety with $17.7 million bond sale
The Belton City Council approved the issuance of up to $17.7 million in certificates of obligation to support infrastructure and public safety projects outlined in the city’s 2025-29 Capital Improvements Program. The debt will be backed by property taxes and a limited...
Saluting Texas Lone Star: Thomas Graham of TABC
This week’s profile is Thomas Graham, executive director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. My career highlights and education: I actually began my career in state government here at TABC in 2005. Starting as an auditor at TABC’s Waco office, I continued to...
Water management boards gain fresh leadership in Texas
Ten Texans have been appointed to serve on state water authority boards. Nueces River Authority Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed three new members and reappointed two members to the Nueces River Authority for terms set to expire on Feb. 1, 2031. Additionally, one...
Texas A&M to lead FAA’s new aviation technology center
The Federal Aviation Administration has chosen the Texas A&M University System to establish and operate its new Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT), Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Sen. Ted Cruz announced. The center will focus on testing...
Abbott taps business, legal experts for TSU Board of Regents
Gov. Greg Abbott has made two appointments and one reappointment to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents (BOR). Ben Proler of Houston is the first appointment. Proler is a commercial manager for Shell plc and serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy...
Nvidia expands U.S. manufacturing with $500B Texas investment
Semiconductor manufacturer Nvidia announced it will expand production with two new plants in Houston and Dallas. The expansion marks the first time Nvidia will produce artificial intelligence supercomputers entirely in the U.S. The two new plants will build parts...
$532M road project may include toll lanes in central Texas
Officials at Williamson County, Cedar Park and Leander are considering the possibility of adding toll lanes to Ronald Reagan Boulevard, a major arterial roadway on the county’s west side. The discussions are based on a potential partnership with the Central Texas...
Texas follows federal model with new regulatory efficiency office
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law a bill creating an efficiency office in Texas similar to the federal government's Department of Government Efficiency. Texas Senate Bill 14 establishes the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, intended to streamline state...
Port Houston begins 2025 with record-breaking cargo volume
The Port of Houston recently broke a record, starting the year strong by processing the largest number of units of any January in the port’s history. At the start of 2025, Port Houston handled 356,407 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The amount is a 7% increase...
Lottery Commission director resigns as agency faces uncertainty
Ryan Mindell, the executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, resigned April 21, according to an announcement from the agency. The agency did not give a reason for Mindell’s resignation. The commission will start the process of finding a new executive...
Corpus Christi trail project receives crucial state funding
The City of Corpus Christi is moving forward with the more than $15 million Holly Road Trestle Trail to Tourism Trail Project. The long-anticipated plan received a major boost with a nearly $12 million grant awarded through the Texas Department of Transportation...
Texas budget negotiations enter critical phase
With the passage of Senate Bill 1 by the Texas House of Representatives, the $337 billion Texas state budget for the 2026-27 biennium now moves into Conference Committee negotiations, the final hurdle before becoming law. After nearly 15 hours of debate on April 11,...