Texas Government Insider
2026 Archive
State announces new business leader to join Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Brian Haley has been appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, according to Governor Abbott’s office. His term will expire on Aug. 31, 2027. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board oversees the Texas higher education system. Its...
Fort Worth approves Master Transportation Plan outlining more than $343M in projects
The Fort Worth City Council has officially adopted its latest Master Transportation Plan (MTP), replacing its predecessor in guiding critical land use and infrastructure utility in tandem with transportation initiatives. The plan outlines delivering a roughly $343...
Houston committee advances developer fee overhaul to enhance park infrastructure
The Houston Budget and Fiscal Affairs (BFA) Committee has proposed a series of changes to the city’s open space ordinance seeking to enhance funding for public projects and parks. Among these changes preliminarily voted on by the committee, the city will...
TWDB to provide $75M to replace lead service lines, seeks information on priority projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will make $74.9 million available to replace lead service lines across the state. The board recently released a form requesting additional project information to be included in the initial priority list for this year’s Lead...
State school choice program expands as Texas districts report enrollment declines
Texas state officials have announced historic enrollment numbers for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program, following its inaugural round of awards. Announced through the Comptroller, TEFA has awarded vouchers to more than 102,000 students statewide,...
San Marcos weighs $100M city hall, redevelopment project under P3 model
San Marcos city officials are providing an update to a long-planned project to build a new city hall complex. The city council is planning to unveil the latest proposal for the $80 million to $100 million facility during its June 16 meeting. The city will take a...
UT Austin selected to coordinate semiconductor development program across 10 states
The Texas Institute for Electronics at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has become home to the Southern Node of the National Network for Microelectronics Education, operated by the nonprofit SEMI Foundation. The initiative is designed to help address...
LCRA selects Rudy D. Garza as 12th general manager
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Board of Directors has appointed Rudy D. Garza as its 12th general manager. Garza will officially assume his duties on July 20. With three decades of utility leadership experience under his belt, Garza will now help oversee...
Plano may develop $1B arena, entertainment district as new home for the Dallas Stars
Two major Dallas sports teams are relocating, with one of them potentially setting down roots in Plano at a future $1 billion arena and entertainment district. The Dallas Stars have been in discussions to make Plano its new home, recently announcing a Letter of...
Victoria ISD plans $54M modernization project for two school facilities
The Victoria Independent School District (VISD) will spend $54 million to modernize both SMITH STEM Academy and STEM Middle School. While official construction timelines have not been released, the district plans to select a design firm during its July 16 meeting. A...
Austin commits additional funding for Caps and Stitches project
Austin is moving ahead with a $104 million commitment to preserve future deck and public-space options over Interstate 35, even as the city has not secured funding to build the full cap-and-stitch program. The Austin City Council finalized a resolution that ensures...
TxDOT board discusses leadership changes, five-year Strategic Plan, World Cup at latest meeting
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) concluded its latest board meeting on May 21, covering major leadership changes, its five-year Strategic Plan and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The commission recognized two retiring members with nearly 30...
Addison moves forward with $14M roadway reconstruction project
The Addison City Council is advancing into the final design phase for a $14.3 million project to reconstruct the Airport Parkway streetscape. Bidding is expected to open soon, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2026. Originally approved as part of the...
Sugar Land moves into design phase for $8M roadway reconstruction initiative
Sugar Land is advancing the Austin Parkway project into its second phase, planning to spend $7.9 million to reconstruct the roadway. After approving a design contract for the project at its June 2 meeting, the city anticipates beginning construction in summer 2027. ...
LCRA plan includes $8.6B to boost Texas power grid
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Board of Directors recently approved a $656 million operating budget and $1.8 billion in capital investments for Fiscal Year 2027, funding new water supply development, power generation and broadband expansion. LCRA manages...
Texas A&M System Board of Regents sign off on mega $7B capital infrastructure plan
During its May 21 meeting, the A&M System Board of Regents approved the $6.8 billion Five-Year Capital Plan, continuing billions of dollars' worth of ongoing projects alongside $1.5 billion for upcoming initiatives. The planned projects included in the Capital...
Three directors reappointed to Upper Colorado River Authority
Texas Governor Greg Abbot reappointed three members to the Upper Colorado River Authority (UCRA) Board of Directors. The reappointments make up one-third of the Board of Directors and will each serve six-year terms.  Nancy Blackwell is vice president...
Dripping Springs enters design phase for solids storage and recuperative thickening facility
Dripping Springs is advancing the next phase of the South Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility after the City Council approved an almost $200,000 task order for final design services tied to a new solids storage and recuperative thickening facility. The project...
Austin embraces clean energy expansion with new power resource agreement
The city of Austin continues to pioneer a clean energy future following approval of a contract with Austin Energy for 299 megawatts (MW) of wind energy, 100 MW of local battery storage and 400 MW of high-efficiency natural gas peaker units. The City Council’s...
Denton paves way for safer streets with Vision Zero Plan adoption
This story was edited after publication to correct an error. The story now properly distinguishes previous funding agreements and future applications related to the federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Program. City officials have confirmed $720,000 in approved SS4A...
Texas Women’s University seeks design and construction firms for $30 million athletic complex
Texas Women’s University (TWU) will spend $30 million to design and build a new athletic complex on its main campus in Denton.  The university released a Request for Qualification (RFQ) on May 20. The submission deadline is set for July 7. A pre-submittal conference...
Federal delays stall Texas’ clean energy projects
Dozens of Texas wind energy projects are facing delays after the U.S. Department of Defense paused approvals for routine federal permits tied to turbine development. Texas is home to more wind turbines than any other state and hosts several major military...
Public, private leaders tapped for Texas Bicentennial panel
Governor Greg Abbott has announced his initial appointments to the Texas Bicentennial Commission, a body created during the 89th Texas Legislature to oversee planning and commemorative activities for the bicentennial anniversary of Texas Independence. The commission...
WilCo commissioners greenlight site purchase, $150M for new justice complex
A new justice center is planned for Georgetown as county officials advanced a land purchase and funding plan for the project. Williamson County (WilCo) commissioners on May 19 voted to close a deal on a 253-acre tract in southeast Georgetown for the county’s planned...
State launches framework for PUCT emergency energy funding program
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has unveiled a new rule establishing the grant and loan process for a state grant program that supports power generation and emergency preparedness efforts statewide. The Texas Backup Power Program allows critical...
Harris County weighs redevelopment options for historic Astrodome site
Officials in Harris County have put numbers behind two competing paths for the dormant Astrodome, pricing a full demolition at an estimated $55 million and a basic renovation at about $752.6 million through private sector support.  The estimates, released by the...
New $44M authorization to upgrade Huntsville’s Robinson Creek Treatment Plant
The Huntsville City Council authorized $44 million in new spending to expand the Robinson Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and the McDonald Creek Lift station.   Design for the expansion has already begun and will continue into 2027, according to project...
Bay City officials approve funding agreement for $15M aquatic facility project
The Bay City City Council has approved a Chapter 380 agreement with the Bay City Community Development Corporation to secure funding for the development and construction of an aquatic facility in Matagorda. Â Announced earlier this month, the agreement outlines...
Williamson County reportedly finalist to land major aerospace manufacturing hub
Hutto officials are weighing a performance-based incentive agreement for a proposed aerospace industrial campus that could bring more than $650 million in investment and more than 2,000 jobs to the fast-growing Williamson County suburb. The project, publicly referred...
Automotive giant eyes San Antonio for major vehicle production facility
A major international automotive manufacturer has officially filed paperwork today to construct a $2 billion vehicle manufacturing plant in San Antonio. Construction is slated to begin later this year. Toyota Motor Corp. is seeking approval from the state and local...
Royal ISD officials plan $72M, 7,500-seat stadium near future high school
Voters in Royal Independent School District (ISD), the public school district serving Brookshire and Pattison in Waller County, approved an up to $72 million bond to fund a new districtwide multiuse stadium and track. The May 2 result closed out a string...
Texas school enrollment decline pressures districts statewide
Even as Texas continues to post some of the nation’s fastest overall population growth numbers, public school enrollment is moving in the opposite direction, forcing districts to rethink spending on facilities, staffing, maintenance and academic programming as student...
Studies clear path for Bastrop’s hotel, hospital and golf course developments
The city of Bastrop, Texas, is moving forward on three planned development concepts, including a full-service hospital, a hotel and convention center and a city-owned par-3 golf course. The news comes after the City Council reviewed feasibility study findings for all...
New $49M customer service center coming to Georgetown, targets 2028 opening
The Georgetown City Council approved more than $92 million in bond funding for various capital improvement projects throughout the city, including $49 million in funding for a new Customer Service Center, a city facility project expected to open in 2028. The new...
Corpus Christi explores restrictions to address water crisis, nears Level 1 water emergency designation
Corpus Christi City Council is expected to make a final decision May 19 on whether to curtail residential and business water usage by 25% as worsening drought conditions push the area closer to emergency levels. The restrictions would affect customers across the...
Austin adopts TRUST Act as Texas cities split on license plate readers
Central Texas city leaders are establishing new laws, rules and policies to guide the implementation and procurement of emerging surveillance technologies, with some embracing the upgrades while other debate scaling back investments.  Recently, the Austin City...
Texas A&M Regents approve appointment of 28th TAMU President
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has announced the next step in its leadership overhaul, announcing the unanimous appointment of Dr. Susan Ballabina as the next Texas A&M University President.  The vote followed the state-required 21-day...
Presidential council recommends foundational shift to federal disaster response
A presidential council finalized on Thursday new recommendations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that could lead to a generational shift in federal disaster policy. The President’s Council to Assess the FEMA, consisting of federal and state...
Tarleton State University unveils updated master plan for Fort Worth campus
Tarleton State University released an updated Master Plan for its Fort Worth campus that will guide future development and support projected enrollment growth . The Master Plan sets a framework for expanding academic programs, student life, research opportunities and...
Dallas ISD secures record $6.2B in voter-approved funding for school infrastructure, upgrades
Texas’s May 2 bond elections produced $31 billion in proposed funding, with 63 measures approved so far and major opportunities emerging across K-12, MUDs and local government infrastructure. SPI’s Texas Bond Reports track these elections, results and future ballot...
Texas comptroller releases new TEFA enrollment figures
Over 53,000 new students are enrolled in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) school choice program for the 2026–2027 school year, according to the state comptroller.  The program, created under Senate Bill 2 in 2025, allows families to use state education...
AI data center boom widens Texas water funding shortfall
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin released a white paper May 6 examining the water footprint of the state's fast-growing data center sector. The paper estimates data centers could grow from less than 1% of Texas water use today to between 3% and 9% by...
Lubbock approves conceptual design for convention center renovation, expansion
The city of Lubbock has approved a conceptual design for the Lubbock Memorial Convention Center expansion and renovation project. While the preliminary cost or construction dates have not been released, the approval allows the project to move forward. City officials...
McAllen International Airport plans $180M in major terminal, runway upgrades
McAllen International Airport is planning a transformative change to its infrastructure to address increasing passenger demand and growth. Noted as one of the largest airports in South Texas, airport officials are unveiling a $180 million plan for a terminal expansion...
HHSC announces nearly $160M combined investment in rural healthcare
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has opened the window for two funding opportunities worth a combined $159 million to improve rural healthcare programs and workforce. Both funding notices – known as the “Next Generation of the Small Town Doctor...
Arlington approves $1.2B AT&T Stadium improvement plan
The Arlington City Council has given approval to move forward with a $1.2 billion project in AT&T Stadium to implement improvements and maintain the Dallas Cowboys’ lease. The approved motion kicked off a 20-year plan to funnel infrastructure investments directly...
San Marcos invests in new wastewater plant under $143M infrastructure plan
The city of San Marcos will spend $104.4 million to advance several new water and wastewater capital projects, including the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The approved amount will cover initiatives within the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital...
TxDOT launches pilot program to overhaul project delivery through digital innovation
Digital innovation and modernization are trending throughout the nation, with states like Texas leading the charge as the transition from outdated materials to cutting edge digital tools accelerates to guide infrastructure development. At the heart...
Amarillo floats rate increases to meet $2B in water, wastewater needs
The city of Amarillo is planning to build a $1.5 billion wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). However, with the project’s steep cost, calculated inflation and other critical water projects on the rise, the city council is considering solutions laid out in a water and...
Dallas eyes expansion, renovations and aquatic upgrades for Martin Weiss Recreation Center
The city of Dallas will spend $9 million to renovate the Martin Weiss Recreation Center. Construction is expected to begin in May 2027. While the city has pitched early concepts for the center’s design, officials are still accepting public feedback...
Nearly $90M investment needed to address Austin’s aging bridges, city reports
The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) has identified dozens of bridges in imminent need of repair, rehabilitation or replacement. The city will need to invest $89.5 million over the next five years to prevent closures and avoid load restrictions,...
New superintendent, board of managers named in Lake Worth ISD intervention
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath on Wednesday named a new superintendent and Board of Managers to take control of Lake Worth Independent School District (ISD), formalizing the state’s takeover of the school district. In December 2025, Texas Education...
UT Austin lands $750M for medical, research campus project
Billionaire Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell, committed $750 million to the University of Texas at Austin (UT) on April 21, pushing their lifetime giving to the university past $1 billion. The investment is set to fund a new medical center and research campus,...
Statewide population boom drives significant needs for Texas’ transportation system
Texas has experienced a rapid population boom since 2000, expanding by 50% to around 31.3 million residents, according to 2024 data. With the significantly larger population driving an equally powerful economy, the state’s surface transportation system has been hard...
DIR names new leaders to drive tech strategy
With nearly a month at the helm, Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) Executive Director and State Chief Information Officer Tony Sauerhoff is building a leadership team aligned with his focus on secure, data-driven modernization across state government....
Georgetown unveils $52M operation center in updated electric infrastructure plan
The Georgetown City Council unveiled a $329 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for its electric utilities infrastructure at its April 14 meeting to guide development and expansion. One of the most notable CIP-funded projects will build a $52.5 million Electric...
Missouri City advances Texas Parkway Redevelopment plan
Missouri City is moving forward with a revitalization plan for Texas Parkway after signing a design contract to improve infrastructure and potentially build a mixed-use development. The city has required the plan to be completed within 90 days since the agreement was...
Arlington reimagines downtown as multipurpose business, cultural hub
The Arlington City Council is looking toward the future with a downtown transformation initiative designed to overhaul opportunities for commercial and mixed-use businesses and forge new connections with the entertainment district. During the April 7 meeting,...
Sul Ross State University plans $35.5M campus building in Eagle Pass
This story was edited after publication to reflect the proper location of the multi-purpose building project. The correct location is reflected in the following article. Sul Ross State University (SRSU) will spend $35.5 million to build a new multi-purpose building in...
SMU explores athletics overhaul focused on Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is entering the next phase of planning for Gerald J. Ford Stadium as officials enter the preliminary stages for future development. Gerald J. Ford Stadium serves as the university’s athletic backbone, hosting...
Secretary of State appoints new chief information officer
Layla Young has been officially appointed chief information officer (CIO) for the Office of the Texas Secretary of State. She brings 17 years of public sector leadership experience with her. The secretary of state oversees the state’s election process as chief...
More than $1B in water infrastructure funding available through TWDB
The Texas Legislature and Gov. Greg Abbott have approved $1.038 billion in one-time Water Supply and Infrastructure Grants to be administered by the Texas Water Development Board. The announcement creates a rare funding opportunity for water infrastructure projects...
New CIO to lead technology for Texas Office of Court Administration
Frank Barker officially stepped into his new capacity as chief information officer (CIO) of the Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA) earlier this year. Barker brings 30 years of experience to the position, most recently serving as assistant director of...
Dallas investigates two IT employees simultaneously employed at Austin City Hall
The Dallas Police Departments’ Public Integrity Unity (PIU) is investigating two Dallas IT officials after the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) received a tip they were moonlighting at Austin City Hall. In November 2025, a whistleblower directed the city’s...
TSU advances $200M School of Law building into design phase
Texas Southern University (TSU) will soon contract with a designer for its upcoming $185 million to $200 million project to build a new centralized building for the School of Law. Construction is expected to begin in September 2027. The Thurgood Marshall Law Center...
TWDB funds major water, wastewater and flood mitigation projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on March 31 approved more than $171.7 million in financial assistance for 13 water, wastewater and flood mitigation projects spanning multiple regions of the state, according to the agency. The money will fund construction of...
Controller announces record interest in TEFA program following inaugural application period
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) recently closed the inaugural application window for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), shattering expectations with more than 274,000 applications for the program’s first year. The period closes following...
Texas universities play key role in NASA’s Artemis II mission
While four humans aboard Artemis II have now gone farther from Earth than ever, some of the ideas, technology and workforce leading up to this moment and preparing for what comes next are much closer to home.  Two Texas universities can boast alumni who played key...
Cameron County vies for $3.2B contract to host next-generation shipyard at the Port of Brownsville
Cameron County is in hot competition with Solano County, California, to secure an ambitious $3.2 billion contract for a next-generation shipyard in Brownsville. The autonomous maritime manufacturer at the center of this tug-of-war has laid plans to develop a “Port...
State opens $350M fund for advanced nuclear development
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office (TANEO) opened applications on April 1 for the $350 million Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund (TANDF). This is a reimbursement grant program targeting companies and organizations positioned to...
Texas data center boom drives growth, tax incentive and policy debate
Texas stands at the forefront of the data center frontier after projections anticipate that the state will become the largest home for data centers in the country within the next two years. The state’s appeal to the booming industry is due to several conjoining...
New legislative priorities unveiled in Senate announcement
The Texas Senate has released the second round of interim charges ahead of the next legislative session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released an initial batch of five interim charges earlier this year with the promise to follow up with a comprehensive list of legislative...
State officials outline funding, strategy for $350M advanced nuclear energy expansion
Texas is planning one of the largest nuclear energy pushes in the nation as a new state office is providing updates on the $350 million initiative. The passage of House Bill 14 in 2025 marked a major turning point in Texas’ efforts to catalyze and dominate the...
Texas House publishes priorities ahead of next legislative session
The Texas House of Representatives has released its list of interim charge recommendations, highlighting its legislative priorities when the next session reconvenes. The 53-page document will guide lawmakers up until and during the next legislative session,...
Port of Galveston outlines updated $2.4B expansion plan
The Port of Galveston has released the 2026 update to its port-wide Master Plan, charting a course to build infrastructure and guide growth. The $2.4 billion plan entails several ambitious goals to meet rising demand, including docking seven ships by 2045. A total of...
Houston plans drainage project linking Turkey Gully to bayou
The city of Houston will spend $17 million to build a storm trunk system designed to divert stormwater flow from Turkey Gully to White Oak Bayou. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026. The project will make significant infrastructure improvements along five...
Hereford advances $59M wastewater treatment plant project
The Hereford City Council has authorized the pursuit of a $59 million mechanical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to replace the existing facility. City officials note the project as a priority for the city and local communities. The current facility suffers from...
GLO distributes $52M in coastal protection grants
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has awarded more than $52 million in coastal improvement funding through two rounds of grants announced in March, targeting erosion control, shoreline stabilization and habitat restoration along the state's Upper Gulf Coast. ...
Dallas secures $51.6M in federal funding for World Cup security preparations
In anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Dallas $51.6 million to enhance public safety. The funding was part of a larger nationwide investment totaling $625 million to cover public safety costs across all...
Amarillo approves $30M to fund street maintenance projects
The Amarillo City Council unanimously approved $30.3 million in Certificates of Obligation (CO) to fund street construction and infrastructure improvement projects within the city. The measure aligns with a street maintenance strategic plan established by...
Round Rock, Williamson County ink funding agreement for major road projects
The Round Rock City Council unanimously approved a cost-sharing agreement with Williamson County March 12 to advance two major roadway projects totaling roughly $51 million: the Deep Wood Drive extension connecting RM 620 to Sam Bass Road, and segments 5 and 6 of...
State, local lawmakers weigh data center growth as energy demand surges
Texas has positioned itself as a hotbed for the digital frontier, propping up abundant land, low taxes and a business-friendly environment to attract private investment. The rise of AI has further spurred demand, spreading data center infrastructure to scale with...
Texas A&M plans $30M HEEP Laboratory Building renovation
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) System will invest $30 million into a renovation project for the HEEP Laboratory Building at its College Station Campus. Construction is expected to begin in March 2027. Major project components will include renovating 26,624 gross...
Houston plans $131M downtown flood mitigation project
The city of Houston will allocate $131 million to enhance the conveyance capabilities of existing channels and develop a diversion channel in the downtown area. As flood risks escalate with worsening climate change and flash flooding seasons, project...
Corpus Christi partners with CPS Energy for large-scale desalination project
The Corpus Christi City Council approved a collaborative agreement earlier this week with the city of San Antonio to explore a seawater desalination project at the Barney Davis Power Plant. Pending additional approvals, the agreement marks an early step for a...
LCRA shuffles leadership following retirement of Phil Wilson
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Board of Directors appointed Jim Travis to serve as the acting general manager and chief financial officer for the LCRA. The announcement comes following the departure of General Manager Phil Wilson, who served in the role...
DIR finalizes new executive director
Tony Sauerhoff has been confirmed permanent executive director for the Department of Information Resources (DIR). The decision was finalized during a special meeting today. Sauerhoff was initially placed as the department’s interim executive director in...
Public Utilities Commission of Texas selects new leader to join ranks
Patrick Rhode has been appointed to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas. His term will officially begin April 1, 2026, and expire on Sept. 1, 2027. Rhode brings 27 years of public and private leadership experience to the role, most recently serving as senior...
Texas opens $88M disaster housing grant program
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has opened applications for the $88.1 million 2024 Disasters Affordable Rental Program (24D-ARP). Applications are due by May 12. The program covers costs associated with rehabilitating, reconstructing and building affordable...
Texas to test eVTOL air taxi network across major cities
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted Texas as one of eight proposals to partake in an innovative pilot program advancing the deployment of cutting-edge air taxi transportation technologies. The Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL)...
San Marcos kick starts airport expansion plan with 170-acre purchase
The San Marcos Regional Airport is planning an expansion after purchasing 170 acres of federal land to facilitate new development. The San Marcos City Council spent $1.68 million to acquire the property – located to the east of the airport – from the U.S. General...
UT hospital system gears up for $300 million expansion near Houston
The University of Texas Medical Branch League City Hospital Campus is set to undergo a $300 million expansion, continuing billions of dollars of recent investments into the UTMB health system. The multiphase expansion is scheduled for completion by 2030, with...
Bistone water district advances $29.4M pipeline project
The Bistone Municipal Water Supply District (MWSD) will spend $29.4 million to upgrade its water transmission infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. The district will start with a series of improvements to the local water transmission system,...
Texas backs $617M NRG generation project under JETI program
NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) has announced that it will build an electric power generation plant in Harris County, representing a qualified $617 million investment under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation (JETI) program. Located at the existing NRG Greens...
Texas awards $160M for rail crossing separation projects
The Texas Transportation Commission has awarded $160.4 million complete rail crossing separation projects through the newly created Texas Off-System Rail Grade Separation State (OSRGSS) Fund Program. The commission allocated the funding across five grants, targeting...
Texas advances SB 3 flood siren mapping effort
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has announced that it will begin identifying regions that are historically at-risk of flooding and lack the needed infrastructure to protect residents. The initiative will prioritize the 30 counties affected by Senate Bill...
City council members in El Paso approve policy guidelines for large-scale data center developments
El Paso city leaders recently made moves toward setting guidelines for future data center projects amid growing concerns about impacts on local resources. The El Paso City Council voted at a recent meeting to direct the city manager to create a best practice guide...
TxDOT advances $850M I-10, US 69 interchange overhaul
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is investing nearly $850 million to reconstruct and expand the Interstate 10 (I-10) and U.S. Highway 69 (US 69) interchange in Beaumont and Jefferson County. According to officials, work is expected to be completed by...
DIR welcomes new leader to head digital transformation
The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) has announced Michael Myers as its next digital transformation director. Myers brings 16 years of experience working in the IT sector. He most recently served as senior director of technology for the Texas...
Revised DART agreement expands board, reshapes funding
The Plano City Council unanimously canceled a planned May withdrawal election and approved a revised funding and governance agreement with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. The move kicked off a series of votes across the Dallas-Fort Worth region, keeping...
Comptroller finalizes overhaul of Historically Underutilized Business program
The Texas Comptroller’s Office has completed the final step in its overhaul of the state’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program, formally ending all regional certification agreements as the newly created Veteran Heroes United in Business (VetHUB) takes...
TWDB announces nearly $140M investment in water, wastewater system improvements
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will distribute $139.6 million to advance water and wastewater system improvements across the state, following its February meeting. The city of Austin will receive the largest allocation of $59 million to upgrade the Walnut...
TEFA posts record interest in first enrollment period
In the inaugural sign-up period, Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) are posting record-breaking numbers, according to Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock.  For the 2026-27 school year, more than 8,000 students applied in the first hour, and more than 42,000...
Starbase pushes plan to annex 7,000 acres of national parks and public, private land
Officials in Starbase, a city incorporated in May 2025, have approved an initial measure to significantly expand its borders by annexing roughly 7,133 acres. The city advanced the motion during its Feb. 18 meeting; the annexed property would consist of 7,003 acres of...
NCTCOG opens call for public-sector mobility tech concepts
North Texas transportation planners have launched a regional call for public-sector technology project proposals that address mobility and safety challenges while supporting innovation across the area’s transportation network. The effort invites eligible agencies in...
SFA outlines future development, growth in new strategic plans
The University of Texas (UT) Board of Regents has approved Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State University’s strategic plan, campus master plan and a new residence hall, laying the foundations for a decade of physical development and growth. The campus master plan is a...
Supreme Court rules against legality of White House’s widespread tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant blow to the White House’s imposition of tariffs on imported goods and services. The court ruled in a 6-3 vote Friday that the president does not have the authority under a 1977 law to unilaterally impose tariffs without...
Texas Tech tapped for $149M cybersecurity investment
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Public Safety Office (PSO) has awarded $149 million to Texas Tech University (TTU) to fund the construction of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) testing facility, along with a series of cybersecurity enhancements at the Lubbock-based campus....
Texas university students selected for DOE research incubator
A total of 163 undergraduates will join the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science incubator course promoting hands-on research and technical training at National Laboratories and a fusion facility this spring. Texas will be represented by seven students,...
$151M elementary school construction plan advances in Lubbock
The Lubbock Independent School District (LISD) has selected the sites for three new elementary schools, costing approximately $151 million combined. The projects, funded by a previously voter-approved efficiency bond, are in the design phase, with construction...
Bastrop County plans jail expansion, facility upgrades in $219M plan
Officials in Bastrop County, Texas, have adopted a $219 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), investing in critical infrastructure, IT upgrades, county road and bridge improvements and building projects. The plan breaks the county’s prospects down into immediate,...
More than $39M in federal housing funds available across Texas
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) announced $39.4 million in federal Home Investment Partnerships Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are available for single-family housing across the state. Local...
Houston plans $61.6M Greens Road reconstruction
The city of Houston will spend $61.6 million to reconstruct a heavily worn corridor and strengthen community connections and transportation. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026. Located on Greens Road, the project will widen the roadway between JFK...
State approval boosts $35M water well rehabilitation project in Beeville
The city of Beeville is moving forward with a $35 million water well project, rehabilitating infrastructure that will provide critical relief for local water supplies. While the project is in the design phase, the construction date has not yet been released. The...
Texas appoints new legal expert to state transportation commission
Pat Gordon has been appointed as the latest member of the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC). His term is set to expire on Feb. 1, 2027. The TTC oversees the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and is responsible for its regular activities and strategic...
TAMU-College Station enters design stage for $21M GI Lab renovation
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) System will spend $20.5 million to renovate a building for the GI Lab on its College Station campus. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027. The renovation will cover roughly 41,200 square feet of the building’s total 55,169...
Houston plans $86M regional detention basin near I-10 corridor
The city of Houston will spend $86 million to build a detention basin in the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) 17 Memorial City Area. Construction is slated to being in winter 2027. Between 2009 and 2019, Houston has at least five historical flooding events...
New appointment to lead Governor’s Criminal Justice Division
Andrew Friedrichs has been appointed as the director for the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division. Friedrichs will assume the role on March 1, 2026. He will hold the position with no term limit, set to expire only at the governor’s discretion. As...
Sugar Land to seek partners for Imperial District redevelopment
Sugar Land has approved a comprehensive redevelopment vision for the 40-acre Imperial Historic District, seeking to create a new economic hub for the city. With the guiding plan adopted, Sugar Land will move forward with the next step in the procurement process by...
Austin inks deal with Round Rock ISD seeking to fast-track construction projects
The city of Austin has signed an interlocal agreement with the Round Rock Independent School District (ISD) that will enable the district to accelerate and streamline permitting timelines for construction projects. The 25-year agreement allows the district to develop...
TxDOT to spend $125.5M improving I-20 in Abilene
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is planning to spend $125.5 million reshaping a major stretch of Interstate 20 that runs through Abilene. The high-traffic stretch of I-20 between FM 600 and State Highway 351 north of Abilene Christian...
State launches modernization hub to help agencies meet requirements
The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) has launched a webpage to help state agencies and institutions of higher education modernize their public-facing websites and digital services to comply with recent legislation aimed at standardizing the user...
TEEX hosts 2026 Cyber Readiness Summit amid nationwide push for secure digital systems
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) hosted the 2026 Cyber Readiness Summit Feb. 3–5 at the Hilton College Station & Conference Center, convening leaders from government, technology and higher education to address the growing risks facing digital...
State unveils first round of priorities for upcoming legislative session
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has issued the first round of interim charges ahead of the next legislative session, charting legislative priorities to pursue when the Senate reconvenes. While only five have been released, Lt. Gov. Patrick anticipates issuing the full list in...
Flower Mound advances $50M arts center project in River Walk District
The city of Flower Mound plans to dedicate $50 million to build an arts center within the River Walk District, a price that is anticipated to cover a portion of the project’s total cost. The town will nail down the final estimate during the design phase. The project...
Houston plans $142M rail grade separation project in West Belt
The city of Houston will spend $142 million to build a series of grade separations along a railroad in the West Belt Subdivision. Currently in the design phase, construction is expected to begin in 2029. The West Belt Railroad Grade Separation project will build a...
Texas announces historic start for Texas Education Freedom Accounts program
After opening the inaugural application window for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, the state has announced that it has shattered records for first day enrollments through the new school choice program. On Feb. 4, more than 42,000 students have...
Del Rio receives $17M loan to rehabilitate containment wall, water treatment plant
The Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) will loan the city of Del Rio $17 million to build two critical water infrastructure projects. The commission will provide the funds through the Texas Military Value Revolving Loan Fund (TMVRLF). The program...
Greenville joins El Paso in integrating drones as first responders
Greenville has become the latest Texas city to expand its emergency services with a drone-as-first-responder (DFR) program, increasing the police department’s capability and speed in emergency response scenarios. The city recently approved a landmark six-year...
Pflugerville sells $80M in bonds to fund water system upgrades
The city of Pflugerville will sell two bond packages totaling $80.1 million to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to facilitate major water infrastructure improvement projects. Selling the bonds to the TWDB will ensure the city can secure significantly lower...
Texas submits injunction on H-1B work visa petitions
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that the state is implementing an immediate injunction to freeze new H-1B visa petitions, targeting all state agencies and public universities. The state will launch a comprehensive review of current H-1B visa program use, citing...
Port Houston initiates early planning for ship channel improvement projectÂ
Port Houston is moving forward with Project 12 after approving a cost-share agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to initiate the $20 million navigation feasibility study. With funding already allocated for studies, port officials have said that...
Texas opens $44M rural hospital stabilization grant program
Rural health providers in Texas have until Feb. 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. to apply for Rural Health Financial Stabilization Grant funds, a $44 million initiative available through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to support struggling hospitals in rural...
Corpus Christi inks agreement with water district, enabling future water system upgrades
The Corpus Christ City Council has approved a three-year water supply and rights agreement with Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 3 (NCWCID#3) to strengthen regional water security during emergency. The Treated Water Supply Contract and Water...
Galveston plans $24M downtown renovation to enhance mobility, resilience
The city of Galveston will spend $24 million to fund a downtown infrastructure improvement project targeting mobility, utility and connectivity upgrades. The Galveston City Council recently took the steps needed to begin environmental and cultural resource...
TAMU plans $130M learning commons facility
Texas A&M University at College Station (TAMU-College Station) will spend $130 million to build a new classroom on the west campus. Construction is slated to begin in June 2027. The West Campus Learning Commons project will feature a three-floor...
TxDOT is adapting to rapid changes in its updated AI Strategic Plan
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has published a January update for its Artificial Intelligence Strategic Plan (AISP), adapting to rapid changes in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector over the past year and delivering a strategic approach...
TTU to build $24M semiconductor cleanroom to drive research, innovation
Texas Tech University (TTU) will spend $24 million to build a multipurpose nanotechnology cleanroom facility at the Semiconductor Nanofabrication Center in Lubbock. The university recently matched a $12 million Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) award for the...
TWDB approves $34M to support water, wastewater system projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will distribute $33.7 million to help two cities implement water and wastewater system improvements. The board approved the financing at its January meeting. San Marcos will receive the larger of the two shares, coming in at...
LCRA secures $29M broadband grant to expand internet access, flood monitoring systems
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has received $29 million to pursue resilient, accessible broadband access and flood-monitoring systems across the region. The funding will be used to expand high-speed internet access across the rural Central Texas region,...
Padre Island adds $11M for seawall restoration, disaster mitigation project
Padre Island city officials announced a local funding boost for a nearly $15 million seawall restoration and disaster mitigation project on North Padre Island. The city will invest an additional $11 million in Padre Island Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2...
Plano plans roadway, public safety and park overhaul under historic $657M bond
Plano voters approved the largest bond referendum in the city’s history last year, clocking in at $647.9 million in planned upgrades, improvements and capital projects. A total of seven propositions were included in and approved by residents. These include: ...
Texas A&M system elevates nuclear security, business leadership
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has appointed Dr. L. Diane Hurtado and John A. Barton to senior executive leadership roles over enterprise operations across the state. Both appointments take effect immediately. Hurtado has been promoted as the...
State grant propels Fort Worth’s $90M Lebow Channel flood project
The city of Fort Worth has received $90 million from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to make flood mitigation improvements to the Upper Lebow Channel. Construction is slated to begin in 2028. The Lebow Channel corridor has posed a significant flood risk to...
Harris Health pursues $410M expansion for Ben Taub Hospital
Harris Health in Houston is planning a $410 million expansion at Ben Taub Hospital using land acquired from Hermann Park. Harris Health has highlighted the next stage in the project: acquiring 8.9 acres by eminent domain from Hermann Park for construction. Hospital...
UTSW receives $25M to advance 3D liver printing technology research
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical (UTSW) Center has secured a $25 million grant to push the boundaries of biomedical innovation by developing advanced 3D printing technology for functional artificial livers. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health...
New leader to helm Texas Workforce Commission
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has appointed Steve Pier as its next executive director. Pier’s first day will be Feb. 2, 2026. He brings almost 30 years of policy and government experience to the position. Pier most recently served as deputy executive director...
Austin finalizes plans for $69M highway connectivity deck
In the latest development of Austin’s billion-dollar plan to enhance Interstate 35, the city has proposed a final outline costing $69 million to build two stitch structures along the highway. The I-35 Cap-and-Stitch project has been a source of significant investment...
Port of Galveston receives state grant for mobility, pedestrian, traffic safety initiatives
The Port of Galveston has received $8.2 million in grants to make a series of mobility, pedestrian and traffic safety improvements in and around the port. The first round of projects targeted by the port will primarily target accessibility and traffic safety...
DFW leads nation as America’s top tech hub, report finds
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (DFW) Metropolitan area has been lauded as the top tech hub in North America, surpassing Washington, D.C. according to the 2026 North American Tech Hub Index. Last year, the DFW area occupied the No. 2 slot on the list, beating out...