Texas Government Insider

Published: Fri, 07/25/25

Updated: Fri, 07/25/25

Climate change and weather events create great need for sustainability projects

The federal budget for 2026 will either deliver support for critical water and sustainability projects—or fall short. Here’s what’s happening now as states prepare for both outcomes.

TWDB approves monumental $2.7B investment in water, wastewater projects

Texas will distribute $2.7B in state water funds, with major allocations to Houston, North Texas, and McAllen for treatment plants, pipelines, and desalination to secure future water supplies.

Texas Senate revisits ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying

The Texas Senate is considering a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying, Senate Bill 12, reviving longstanding debates over whether local governments should use public money to advocate in Austin.

Fort Worth welcomes $687M private semiconductor plant

Fort Worth is gaining a $687M electronics manufacturing investment. The dual-site project supports U.S. semiconductor goals and expands local tech capacity.

Hays County advances $440M road plan despite court setback

Hays County will move ahead with top-priority road projects using Certificates of Obligation and loan funding, despite a court ruling voiding its $440M bond.

Texas assumes environmental permitting under new USDOT agreement

A new 10-year MOU gives TxDOT full control over NEPA environmental reviews, streamlining project delivery for highways and bridges across Texas.

San Angelo advances $41.6M bond for Coliseum, Fairgrounds upgrades

San Angelo is moving forward with $41.6 million in voter-approved bonds to double coliseum capacity, expand fairgrounds, and boost annual economic impact by an estimated $73 million.

UT System reveals finalists for system chancellor, UT Austin president

The UT System has named Dr. John Zerwas and James Davis as sole finalists for chancellor and UT Austin president, part of a broader leadership shift amid political and financial pressures.

Liberty Hill approves design contract for planned North Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant

Liberty Hill has approved early design work on a new wastewater plant. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion planned for late 2028.

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Northside ISD selects new deputy superintendent

JoAnn Fey has been selected as the new deputy superintendent for administration at Northside Independent School District in San Antonio.

Fey currently serves as the superintendent for Killeen ISD and was the district's first woman superintendent. Fey brings nearly 30 years of experience in education to the role and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Southern Methodist University.

Lockhart names municipal leader as new city manager

Joseph Resendez has been appointed as the new city manager for the city of Lockhart, effective Sept. 5.

Resendez currently serves as assistant city manager and brings more than eight years of experience in municipal government to the role. Resendez holds a bachelor of science from the University of Texas.

Georgetown ISD appoints new assistant superintendent

Rhonda McWilliams has been named as the new assistant superintendent of School Leadership for Georgetown Independent School District.

McWilliams enters this role with over 40 years of experience in education, including recently serving as Interim School Principal at Forbes Middle School and Mitchell Elementary School in Georgetown ISD.

COSTEP appoints new assistant director of economic development

Alma Saldaña Cruz has been named assistant director of Economic Development for the Council for South Texas Economic Progress.

Saldaña Cruz brings over 10 years of cross-border experience in economic development, branding and public sector outreach to the role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Universidad Valle de México and a Certification in Public Management from Texas A&M International University.

McAllen names new assistant city manager

Elvira Alonzo has been appointed as the new assistant city manager for the city of McAllen.

Alonzo brings over 26 years of experience with the city to the role and currently serves as director of Public Works, where she has led 14 departments and more than 290 employees. Alonzo holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from South Texas College.

Texas Redistricting Meetings:

The Texas House has scheduled three redistricting hearings to receive public feedback on lawmakers' redrawn congressional districts. The three meetings, in Austin, Houston and Arlington, are intended to provide stakeholders an opportunity to voice opinions and shape lawmakers' plans. The meetings, including times and locations, are listed below:

Austin

Texas Capital Building

July 24 (concluded)

Houston

University of Houston main campus

July 26 at 11 a.m.

Arlington

University of Texas at Arlington

July 28 at 5 p.m.

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