Texas Government Insider
2026 Archive
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 project
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...
Comptroller to distribute $1.2B in January sales tax revenue to local municipalities
On Jan. 7, Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced that the Comptroller’s Office will distribute $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts for January. The allocation represents a 4.9% increase...
Garland plans $360M in bond projects under new mayor
Garland residents have set the stage for future growth, closing out 2025 with fresh city leadership and capital priorities, approving a $360 million bond funding street, park, cultural and economic development projects and electing Dylan Hedrick as its first new mayor...
Tarleton State University plans new $57M on-campus parking garage
Tarleton State University, through the Texas A&M University System, will spend $57 million to build a new multifaceted parking garage. Construction is slated to begin in December 2026. The project will replace an existing surface parking long with a five-level,...
Dallas County advances plan for $5B jail replacement
A new jail is in the cards in Dallas County as officials move to build a $5 billion replacement for the county's current 50-year-old facility. A judge recently announced that the county will advance the project later this year, making progress on a...
Sugar Land reinvigorates public safety under $63M police facility overhaul
The city of Sugar Land will spend roughly $63.2 million to build a new police department building and renovate the existing police facility. Construction is expected to begin in October 2026. The current police department building no longer possesses the needed space...
New state leader helms Texas’ Commission of Insurance
The Governor’s Office announced Jan. 8 the appointment of Amanda Crawford as the state’s next Commissioner of Insurance for a term set to expire in Feb. 1 2027. Crawford, a Round Rock native, is the state’s current Chief Information Officer and executive director for...
Federal award kick starts Texas’ $1.4B rural healthcare plan
Texas will distribute more than $1.4 billion over five years to improve rural healthcare services following the state’s funding approval through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The funding, awarded through CMS’s Rural Health Transformation...
DIR, Texas Tech target cybersecurity in energy infrastructure under new program
The Department of Information Resources (DIR) - in collaboration with Texas Tech University’s Global Laboratory for Energy Asset Management and Manufacturing (GLEAMM) has launched a new training course to better protect and harden cybersecurity for...
State awards $25M to expand recovery housing through UTHealth Houston
UTHealth Houston will receive $25 million in state funding to expand and enhance recovery housing resources, assisting individuals recovering from an opioid use disorder. Delivered by the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC), the funding will enable recipients...
Christianne Simmons: Fort Worth’s Chief Transformation Officer
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. salutes you, public sector officials: The Profiles in Power section spotlights and recognizes powerful figures across America’s public sector landscape. This week’s Profile in Power is Christianne Simmons, Fort Worth’s Chief Transformation...
Mineral Wells secures nearly $60M for systemwide water upgrade
The city of Mineral Wells, Texas, is entering the design phase for a water system improvement project following the approval of $58.8 million in state funding from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). Construction is slated for early 2027. The TWDB will deliver...
TFC appoints new leader as major state facility projects continue
In late December, the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) appointed Will McKerall as interim executive director, filling the role of former executive director Mike Novak. McKerall officially assumed his responsibilities on Jan. 2, 2026. McKerall has been with the TFC...
Austin Energy outlines $735M plan to strengthen grid resilience
Austin Energy has announced its Electric System Resiliency Plan (ESRP) - a $735 million strategy designed to bolster the city’s energy resilience and reliability under extreme conditions. The ESRP outlines a series of measures to help ensure Austin residents,...
State unveils leadership for budget, policy team
Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed five staff leadership roles in the Budget and Policy Division within the Office of the Governor. The Budget and Policy Division advises the governor on matters of creating and implementing state policy and fiscal information and...