Texas Government Insider
2026 Archive
Former educator, lawmaker Gary VanDeaver tapped to lead TASB
Former Texas state Rep. Gary VanDeaver has been selected as the next executive director of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), putting a longtime educator and former school superintendent at the helm of the statewide organization. VanDeaver will begin the...
Austin promotes Andrea Bates to lead planning department
Andrea Bates has been promoted to director of Austin’s planning department, stepping into a role left vacant after Lauren Middleton-Pratt departed in April for a position as an associate principal at an infrastructure consulting firm. Bates previously served as...
TWDB approves $123.4M for water, wastewater projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has announced its latest disbursement of funding, delivering $123.4 million for essential water and wastewater system improvements. The City of Denton will receive the largest singular amount, totaling $60 million for a...
NSA plans $500M purchase of longtime San Antonio campus
The National Security Agency (NSA) is buying the facility that it has leased for more than 20 years near Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The reportedly $500 million deal to buy the 100-acre campus located off Potranco Road in San Antonio from COPT Defense Properties...
Texas A&M System plan prioritizes technology, infrastructure
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) System Board of Regents approved its 2026 through 2031 Strategic Plan during its September meeting. The plan's passage comes at a time when more than $400 million in construction projects are planned at the main Texas A&M...
Dallas budget includes $1.3B for capital projects
The City of Dallas has officially adopted its Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget, covering $5.7 billion in capital and operational expenses over the course of the next year. From that amount, the city has carved out roughly $1.3 billion for the capital budget, split between...
Texas forms team to pursue proposed U.S. Space Academy
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed a seven-member team drawn from the Legislature, the Texas Space Commission, universities and the commercial space industry to prepare Texas’ proposal for the planned United States Space Academy. House Appropriations Committee Chairman...
New law clears way for federal courthouse in College Station
In a bill sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, Congress has designated the City of College Station as the next site for a federal courthouse. The Local Access to Courts Act (LACA) now heads to the president’s desk for final approval. The act amends Section 124(b)(2) of Title...
Waco hires new CIO as Brownsville technology chief departs
One Texas city is welcoming a new Chief Information Officer, while another is preparing to say farewell to its CIO. Gustavo Alba, pictured above left, has been hired by the City of Waco. He has more than 20 years of IT experience in both the public and private...
Texas Comptroller reorganizes senior leadership structure
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Don Huffines has announced a new senior leadership team as part of what he described as an effort to streamline the agency, eliminate redundant work and flatten its management structure. The announcement assigns broad portfolios to...
Texas developers tap MUD reimbursements to finance infrastructure
As the state's population booms and the demand for quality infrastructure skyrockets, developments in Houston and other Texas cities have turned to alternative means of financing to deliver roads, utilities, homes and more without burdening taxpayers. The overall...
Texas nominates 605 census tracts for Opportunity Zone program
Gov. Greg Abbott has nominated 605 census tracts across Texas to benefit from capital gains tax abatement incentives designed to encourage development through the federal Opportunity Zone (OZ) program. The Office of the Governor recently published a map outlining all...
Texas voucher funding could reach $4.4B as lawmakers await audits
Texas’ new private-school voucher program could more than double in cost during the next state budget cycle, and the price could climb higher as another round of families applies. Travis Pillow, assistant program director for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts...
TDCJ seeks $298M for prison air-conditioning projects
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has submitted a request to the state Legislature for $298 million over a two-year period to address dangerous heat conditions in unair-conditioned prisons. The funding would contribute to adding more than 15,700...
Dallas City Hall decision delayed as relocation review continues
Dallas officials have missed their own deadline for presenting options to move city operations out of the I.M. Pei-designed City Hall, leaving the future of one of the city’s signature buildings in limbo. The Dallas City Council voted in June to let City Manager...
Texas Association of Business names Kelly Keel president, CEO
The Texas Association of Business (TAB) has selected Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Executive Director Kelly Keel as its next president and CEO, turning to a longtime state administrator after a period of leadership upheaval at TAB. Keel will begin Oct. 2,...
Texas awards $69.5M for Rio Grande Valley canal projects
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved $69.5 million in state grants for 17 canal modernization projects in the Rio Grande Valley, part of a $163.6 million package intended to reduce water losses in irrigation networks serving Hidalgo and Cameron...
San Antonio advances $60M land deal for Spurs arena
San Antonio is inching closer to a new home for the city’s NBA team, the Spurs. On Thursday, a divided City Council approved funds to buy land for a new downtown arena. San Antonio will use up to $60 million in Midtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) funds to...
Abbott halts Texas state funding for Flock cameras
Gov. Greg Abbott has directed all state agencies to halt funding for Flock cameras, responding to nationwide concerns over privacy, mismanagement and lack of transparency issues in the roadside camera network's usage. Flock cameras have been at the center of a...
Two passenger rail options emerge for Austin-San Antonio corridor
Officials in the Austin and San Antonio areas say they've identified two viable routes for a proposed passenger rail service connecting the two cities. A Texas Department of Transportation study suggests improving the existing Union Pacific rail line, while a study...
FERC approves new approach to managing SPP grid congestion
Data centers, manufacturing projects and other large electricity users are driving a projected 224-gigawatt increase in North American summer peak demand over the next decade. In addition to building more transmission lines, utilities and regional grid operators are...
Texas plans $138B in transportation investments over decade
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has released the latest update of its 10-year Unified Transportation Plan (UTP) for 2027. The document outlines a $138 billion investment in critical transportation projects across the state. The 2027 UTP marks the fourth...
Texas Engine initiative focuses on five economic sectors
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has announced a new initiative that will highlight and propel Texas' efforts to use resources, production and manufacturing to strengthen the state's standing on the local, state and national levels. The vision - called "The Texas...
Cybersecurity pilot targets Texas water infrastructure
Texas water and wastewater utilities will receive free cybersecurity assistance under a new six-month pilot designed to identify vulnerabilities in critical water infrastructure and test a model that could be expanded nationwide. Under Project Watershed 250, federal...
Todd Little exits NCTCOG executive director role
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has removed former Ellis County Judge Todd Little from his role as executive director. Board members voted during the Aug. 26 meeting, narrowly passing the decision with an 8-6 count. Board Director Jim Ross...
$576.4M College Station budget funds capital improvements
The College Station City Council has approved a $576.4 million Fiscal Year 2027 city budget, accompanied by a 1.84-cent increase in the property tax rate to 53.0254 cents per $100 of property valuation. The average homeowner will see an increase of $68 per year. The...
Dallas transportation plan targets streets, signals, traffic technology
Dallas has proposed a $177 million Transportation and Public Works budget for Fiscal 2026-27, with potential contracting opportunities ranging from street repairs and traffic signals to bridge maintenance and a major traffic-management system upgrade. The departmental...
SpaceX discusses investment in Brownsville regional water project
SpaceX is negotiating a ‘significant financial investment’ toward the advancement of a long-term regional water solution in the Rio Grande Valley, according to reports. The investment — which was reported this week by Brownsville officials — is anticipated to...
Texas A&M plans $70.6M hypersonic testing range expansion
Texas A&M has begun its search for an architect/engineering firm to oversee and manage the design of a $70.6 million project to expand the Ballistic Aero-Optics and Materials (BAM) Range at its RELLIS Campus in Bryan. The BAM Range is the largest and most...
Bryan adopts $569M budget with major utility investments
The city of Bryan officially adopted its $569 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget during its Aug. 25 City Council meeting. The budget concentrates expenditures across three funding categories: Enterprise - $381.1 million for electrical, water, wastewater, solid waste,...
$5M gift backs new University of Houston housing, homelessness research institute
The University of Houston (UH) has launched a research institute focused on improving the Houston region’s response to homelessness, backed by a $5 million anonymous donation. The Institute for Housing, Homelessness and Health, known as IH3, will bring together...
Study: Houston port activity supports $987B U.S. economic impact
A recent economic impact study illustrated marine cargo activity through the Port of Houston supported roughly $987 billion in U.S. annual economic value in 2025. The Port of Houston operates as one of the largest, most impactful economic corridors in America, acting...
Texas DIR names Amy Kelley internal chief information officer
The Texas Department of Information Resources has added to its executive leadership team, naming Amy Kelley as the agency’s internal chief information officer (CIO). Kelley’s responsibilities will include overseeing the department’s IT and AI offices. Kelley steps...
FRA directs $5.3B to rail projects across 23 states, including Texas
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced this month that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is putting $5.3 billion into rail projects across the country, covering safety upgrades, infrastructure repairs and new Amtrak equipment - and Texas is set...
Texas audit flags management, oversight issues at TEA
State Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos says a state audit of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), released this month, validated concerns she raised during last year's budget debate, with findings she described as more extreme than she expected. The audit, ordered through...
Austin’s $6.6B budget directs billions to infrastructure
Austin is among the first cities in Texas to pass its annual budget, adopting a $6.6 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 through 2027. Of that amount, $4.3 billion will go toward the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), while the General Fund budget amounts to $1.5...
El Paso adopts $1.4B budget, lowers property tax rate
The El Paso City Council has officially adopted its Fiscal Year 2026 through 2027 budget, outlining roughly $1.4 billion in investments for the next year. Notably, the approved budget includes a reduced property tax rate, resulting in an increase in savings for the...
Pflugerville plans $10.6M Lake Pflugerville Park improvements
The city of Pflugerville will spend $10.6 million to complete the second phase of its Lake Pflugerville Park improvement project. Construction is slated to begin in September 2027. Based on the 2019 preliminary design report, Phase 2 will prioritize a series of...
Texas Space Commission explores upgrades for large spacecraft testing
The Texas Space Commission (TSC) has issued two Requests for Information (RFI) probing the market for insight into testing facilities capable of handling space cargo as the state broadens its spacefaring aspirations for larger payloads in orbit. Both RFIs have...
San Antonio considers TIRZ extension that could support Spurs arena
San Antonio officials may soon opt to extend the Midtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) by an additional 25 years, paving the way for $580 million in earnings for critical capital projects. Chief among these, the extended zone could enable the city's efforts...
Texas Comptroller launches review of Texas school district spending
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines will investigate spending at up to four school districts to ensure they are using public funds according to state standards. The comptroller issued a statement that he was initiating the investigation after a formal request by Gov. Greg...
DSHS plans $200M public health laboratory expansion
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is searching for an architect to design an upcoming $200 million expansion of its Austin-based public laboratory (DPHL2). While the design phase is moving forward, DSHS has not yet released the construction date. ...
Amazon robotics facility anchors Austin’s 2,600-acre Dog’s Head development
A 2,600-acre site annexed by Austin earlier this year will include an Amazon robotics manufacturing facility. Known as “Dog’s Head” because of the shape of the land, the development is located along the Colorado River, not far from Austin-Bergstrom International...
Denton considers $385M expansion of capital improvement budget
Denton city leaders will hold a vote in September that could add $385 million to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget for Fiscal Year 2026 through 2027. The obligations discussed during the City Council’s Aug. 4 meeting would significantly expand the city’s...
Riot lands $9.1B Anthropic data center deal in Texas
Riot Platforms has signed a $9.1 billion, 20-year agreement to provide 191 megawatts of data center capacity at its Rockdale campus in Milam County, about 60 miles northeast of Austin, to Anthropic, maker of the Claude AI chatbot. The agreement, which runs through...
Texas pauses broadband funding as lawmakers seek review of BEAD awards
The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) this week announced a temporary pause on billions of dollars in disbursements of federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding. The pause, which went into effect Monday and will remain in place until...
Frisco moving forward with $87.8M in voter-approved construction
The City of Frisco is moving forward with voter-approved bond construction work. At their August meeting, City Council members unanimously authorized the issuance of $87.8 million in general obligation bonds to fund a variety of public safety, transportation and parks...
20-plus companies agree to comply with Texas data center guidelines
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a moratorium on data center development this month that will remain in place until the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) audit and review their operations. Since the...
UT advances $1B initial phase of North Austin medical center
The University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents on Aug. 12 approved a $1 billion first phase for the UT Dell Medical Center in North Austin. Phase 1 of the project focuses on clearing and preparing the site. It also covers ordering certain materials early,...
Dallas voters to consider $443M public safety bond
During their Aug. 12 meeting, Dallas City Council opted to put a $443 million public safety bond ballot up for a vote this November. City Council members met to consider a $960 million proposed bond package to be featured on the November ballot. The meeting concluded...
Austin voters to consider $295M parks, library bond package
Austin City Council has approved placing $295 million in bond propositions before voters this November, capping a planning process that began in 2024 to address the city's capital improvement needs. The council's vote sets up two ballot measures. Proposition A asks...
North Texas offers $55.4M in zero-emission truck rebates
Fleet operators across North Texas are being offered incentives to trade diesel trucks for electric models. The North Texas Council of Governments is offering rebates to help public and private entities swap out diesel, gasoline, natural gas, or propane-powered...
College Station taps certificates of obligation for new water wells
College Station City Council has approved $37.25 million in certificates of obligation to support water infrastructure. The certificates will allow the city to improve and expand its waterworks system. Projects will primarily revolve around building water wells,...
TxDOT awards $154M for transit improvements across Texas
The Texas Department of Transportation is investing $154 million in public transportation projects statewide, using a mix of state and federal funding. The funds, which were approved by the Texas Transportation Commission this summer, will contribute to broad...
New Texas comptroller Huffines pledges focus on taxes and spending
Don Huffines has officially been sworn in as the next Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. He will serve as the permanent comptroller, assuming the mantle held by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock following Glenn Hegar’s departure from the role in July 2025. Before...
Texas A&M professors challenge course restrictions in federal lawsuit
The Texas A&M University System is the latest Texas institution to wind up in court over newly imposed restrictions on courses dealing with race, gender and sexual orientation. Four professors, along with a faculty group, filed suit Aug. 3 in U.S. District Court...
Montgomery County advances proposed $1B replacement jail
Montgomery County commissioners have made progress on a proposed $1 billion replacement jail after selecting a site and authorizing the procurement of an engineering firm to design the project. As part of the county’s Aug. 6 meeting proceedings, commissioners...
Texas increases scrutiny of data centers amid surging power requests
Data center development in Texas has been put on hold until the Public Utility Commission and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas complete an audit of these projects. Gov. Greg Abbott has directed both agencies to conduct a comprehensive verification and audit...
The world of government contracting is evolving…don’t fail to miss the signs!
Big changes continue to surface at every level of government. The public marketplace has morphed into a new environment. Public officials are facing problems, mandates, issues, and changes that are beyond anything they have delt with in the past. Most companies...
TxDOT plans $180M highway reconstruction, widening project along US 90
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will spend $180 million to widen a section of US 90 in Liberty County. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. The project stretches between FM 563 and State Highway (SH) 61, covering 11.4 miles in total. As part of...
Austin approves Dog’s Head TIRZ, paving way for $5.6B in infrastructure investments
The Austin City Council is advancing plans to facilitate major infrastructure development in Dog’s Head after establishing a new tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ). The zone will finance construction within Dog’s Head over the next 35 years, contributing...
Waco plans $213M first phase for downtown district
Waco city leaders are planning a multiphase project to transform a 30-acre section of the city’s downtown area into a walkable, community-focused district. The project’s first phase is estimated to cost $213 million, with construction slated to begin later this year. ...
Texas quantum committee appointment advances state technology plans
Texas is moving to the head of the quantum technology race after appointing Katie Pizzolato to the Texas Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee. The state’s quantum pursuits directly align with the federal administration’s concerted efforts to advance and innovate the...
Houston plans $273M investment in Lake Houston Dam Spillway Improvement Project
The city of Houston plans to spend $273.3 million on a groundbreaking expansion for the Lake Houston Dam. The project is in the design phase, with construction slated to begin in summer 2028. The Lake Houston Spillway Improvement Project will play an essential role...
Texas adopts 2027 State Water Plan with $174B in needs
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has adopted the 2027 State Water Plan, a long-range blueprint that identifies the projects and strategies needed to secure the state's water supply through 2080 as population growth, aging infrastructure and increasing demand...
Texas lawmakers receive new priorities for 90th legislative session
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has published the latest update on recommended interim legislative charges for the Texas House of Representatives. The five-page document contains new additions to the House’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session, covering directives...
World Trade Bridge expansion clears binational review, secures $25M grant
The expansion of Laredo's World Trade Bridge has cleared another major milestone after completing the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) review and securing a $25 million federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant,...
State, school district support advances $119B semiconductor campus proposal in Grimes County
Grimes County may be set to host one of the largest industrial development projects in Texas history after Gov. Greg Abbott and two local school districts submitted positive determinations on eight proposed tax incentive agreements for SpaceX’s TeraFab semiconductor...
AI infrastructure manufacturer expands into McKinney with $919M campus investment
A Taiwan-based power management and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure company has selected McKinney for its U.S. campus, investing $919 million and creating at least 600 jobs. The campus will occupy more than 650,000 square feet in McKinney's Core 5...
UT Austin lands five federal Genesis Mission AI awards
The University of Texas at Austin (UT) has won federal support for five research teams via the Genesis Mission, a federal artificial intelligence (AI)-based initiative, with awards administered by the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE announced the...
Water system demand drives $1.2B statewide investment in infrastructure
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will distribute $1.2 billion to support water and wastewater system, supply and quality protection projects across the state. The North Texas Municipal Water District will receive $370.8 million to improve the region’s water...
DART names Jacksonville transit leader as next CEO
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors has chosen Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. to take on responsibilities as the agency’s next president and CEO. He will officially begin his role on Oct. 26 later this year. Ford will fill the shoes of Nadine Lee...
TxDOT outlines Downtown and University work for $4.5 billion I-35 project
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is moving forward with two segments of the historic $4.5 billion Interstate 35 Capital Express Central (I-35 CapEx) Project. State officials are estimating construction for the Downtown and University stretches to begin...
Central Texas Alliance forms to bolster Austin-San Antonio Corridor development
A new coalition has formed to strengthen Central Texas’ powerbase as industry leaders form the Central Texas Alliance (Alliance) to plan, negotiate and advocate for the Austin-San Antonio Corridor. Henry Cisneros, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development...
Gov. Abbott selects longtime Capitol adviser as next Secretary of State
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Robert S. Howden, a veteran Capitol adviser and former business-group leader, as Texas’ 116th Secretary of State Friday, effective July 18. Howden will serve on an interim basis and will need Senate confirmation when the Legislature returns...
Southwestern University advances first phase of 560-acre Georgetown development
As the population of Central Texas booms, Southwestern University is keeping pace by implementing a new model for higher education through a 560-acre mixed-use development neighboring its Georgetown campus. The university expects to break ground on Phase 1 in...
Profiles in Power: Jennifer Cowley, Ph.D.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. salutes you, public sector officials: The Profiles in Power section spotlights and recognizes powerful figures across America’s public sector landscape. This week's profile is of Jennifer Cowley, Ph.D., President of the University of Texas...
New technologies could revolutionize infrastructure planning in Texas
As Sponsored Content, this article provides perspectives from contributing experts to help readers stay informed about current trends and opportunities. This article was written in conjunction with Sanborn, a national firm pioneering comprehensive approaches to...
TXCC unveils strategic plan mapping cybersecurity services, strategies statewide
Texas Cyber Command has shared its plans to build statewide cybersecurity operations and services, expand incident response and develop a broader cybersecurity workforce. As of May, TXCC had 48 full-time employees and said it was scaling toward an anticipated...
Galveston port expansion plan includes fifth terminal, cargo and waterfront projects
The Port of Galveston is advancing early study work on a potential fifth cruise terminal at Pier 14, the next major move in an ongoing expansion guided by its 20-Year Strategic Master Plan. Under the master plan, the proposed new terminal would sit between Royal...
Houston ISD advances $100M CTE center enhance education outcomes
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) will spend $100 million to build a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center. The district plans to break ground on the center – called Southside Launchpad – in March 2027. The district recently moved into the...
Port of Brownsville lands $3.2B next-generation shipyard development
The Port of Brownsville has partnered with a private company to develop a $3.2 billion next-generation shipyard. Called Port Alpha, the yard will be the largest in the country once completed. The shipyard will drive the port’s efforts to manufacture medium- and...
Texas honors four women for leadership in state government
Gov. Greg Abbott and the state of Texas have recognized the strength, impact and leadership of four women as the recipients of the 2026 Outstanding Women in Texas Government Awards. The award highlights women in state service who have stood out as leaders in their...
HHSC leadership changes will shape Medicaid and legal oversight
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced a pair of leadership changes July 9 that will affect the agency’s legal operations, Medicaid oversight and policy direction ahead of the next legislative session. The appointments place two experienced...
Garland unveils new strategies to upgrade infrastructure, preserve assets and strengthen services
The Garland City Council has adopted a new 10-year strategic plan that prioritizes strengthening existing structures and programs rather than pursuing expansion. Redevelopment takes the stage as Garland’s centerpiece for the next decade. The city is already largely...
TFC to build $53M facility replacement for headquarters
The Texas Finance Commission (TFC) will spend $53 million to build a replacement structure for its Austin-based headquarters. The construction date has not yet been released. The project calls for demolishing the TFC Building - otherwise known as Building 10 - and...
Texas backs new 860-megawatt natural gas project in Ward County
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced June 24 that the eighth loan had been finalized under the Texas Energy Fund, the state’s pool of money for building new power generation, backing 860 megawatts (MW) of new natural gas generation in Ward County. The power is expected to...
Fort Worth sets stage for new downtown library development
The Fort Worth City Council on June 23 approved spending $5.95 million to buy 1.38 acres off Summit Avenue. The site will be used to house a new downtown public library after the city abandoned previous plans to convert a historic building it already owned. The land...
Houston charts $18B roadmap to improve vital infrastructure
The Houston City Council has adopted the next iteration of its five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), budgeting $18 billion for infrastructure projects from Fiscal Year 2027 through 2031. The CIP is composed of four main components: Enterprise Fund Program...
Texas A&M-RELLIS’ Bryan campus becomes test bed for nuclear energy projects
Nuclear innovation is taking off as The Texas A&M University System has secured a new contract to progress development of an upcoming small modular reactor. The latest announcement established ground lease and research agreements with a nuclear energy innovation...
Texas NHL expansion plan targets Austin or Houston for new team
A new professional sports team and arena may be coming to the Austin or Houston metropolitan areas following the announcement by the National Hockey League (NHL) earlier this week. Building on the success of the Dallas Stars, the NHL is seriously considering adding...
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. 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...