Texas Government Insider

Published: Fri, 04/25/25

Updated: Sat, 04/26/25

New campus stadiums evolve beyond sports into community assets

by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

Multi-purpose facilities with high end features are being designed to attract large sports events of various types, concerts and other university functions.

Explore which campuses are investing millions in stadium projects »

Texas budget negotiations enter critical phase

The Texas state budget for the 2026-27 biennium, totaling $337 billion, now moves into Conference Committee negotiations where 10 legislators must reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions before the June 2 deadline.

See which sectors received the highest funding »

Texas A&M to lead FAA's new aviation technology center

The center will focus on testing and integrating emerging aviation technologies, including drones and air taxis, into national airspace.

Why Texas leads aviation innovation development »

Abbott taps business, legal experts for TSU Board of Regents

Gov. Greg Abbott has made two appointments and one reappointment to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, selecting individuals with diverse backgrounds in military service, legal expertise and leadership experience.

Learn how their diverse backgrounds strengthen TSU »

Nvidia expands U.S. manufacturing with $500B Texas investment

Semiconductor manufacturer Nvidia announced it will expand production with two new plants in Houston and Dallas, marking the first time the company will produce artificial intelligence supercomputers entirely in the U.S.

Discover how they'll invest $500B »

$532M road project may include toll lanes in central Texas

Officials at Williamson County, Cedar Park and Leander are considering adding toll lanes to Ronald Reagan Boulevard, a major arterial roadway on the county's west side, through a potential partnership with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

Discover how they'll fund $532M improvements »

Texas follows federal model with new regulatory efficiency office

Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law Texas Senate Bill 14, establishing the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office, intended to streamline state regulations and reduce rules.

Learn how SB14 intends to eliminate unnecessary regulations »

Port Houston begins 2025 with record-breaking cargo volume

The Port of Houston recently broke a record, starting the year strong by processing the largest number of units of any January in the port’s history.

Discover how infrastructure upgrades support rising volumes »

Lottery Commission director resigns as agency faces uncertainty

Ryan Mindell, executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, resigned on April 21. The agency's future remains in question after the House passed a budget without allocating funds for the commission.

Explore why the lottery faces multiple investigations »

Corpus Christi trail project receives crucial state funding

The long-anticipated Holly Road Trestle Trail received a major boost with nearly $12 million in state transportation funding to transform an abandoned railway into a multi-use trail.

See which federal funds supplement state grants »

Diana Ramirez

County Administrator

Harris County

Business leaders tapped for Parks and Wildlife Commission

Gov. Abbott has appointed two business leaders to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission with terms extending to February 2031.

Austin's Tim Timmerman, owner of Timmerman Capital LLC and president of the Colorado River Land Trust, joins as a new appointee with numerous board memberships and degrees from Texas A&M and UT Austin.

Fort Worth businessman Bobby Patton has been reappointed to the Commission; he serves as president of Texas Capitalization Resource Group, maintains membership in the State Bar of Texas and directs the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Patton holds degrees from UT Austin, St. Mary's Law School and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

Sweetwater administrator takes helm at Odessa

David A. Vela has been tapped as Odessa's new city manager following a unanimous council vote on Monday.

Vela leaves his nine-year post as Sweetwater's top administrator to join Odessa. His municipal career spans over two decades, including leadership experience in Abilene.

A graduate of The University of Texas and Texas State University, Vela is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Oral Roberts University.

Water management boards gain fresh leadership in Texas

Ten Texans have been appointed to serve on state water authority boards.

Gov. Abbott has appointed six members to the Nueces River Authority, including Olen Hughs, Daniel Kelley, Daniel Suckley and Shannon Freund. The governor reappointed Jane Bell and Lisa Greenberg to the board.

Additionally, Jerry Dan Davis, Mike Sandefur and Joe L. Ward were reappointed to the Red River Authority of Texas, while Alan Herrington was selected for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority.

All appointments require Senate confirmation.

Read the full profiles of these water authority appointees »

Governor's Appointments (April 11-24):

Texas Southern University Board of Regents
Ben Proler – Houston
Alithea Z. Sullivan – Austin
Lauren Gore – Houston (reappointed)

Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board of Directors
Alan Herrington – Palestine

Brazos County Regional Mobility Authority
Karl Mooney, Ed.D. - College Station

Texas Parks And Wildlife Commission
Timothy “Tim” Timmerman – Austin
Bobby Patton - Fort Worth (reappointed)

Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors
Antonio Santana - Mont Belvieu
Hannah Kaplan - Houston
Jon “Mark” Sjolander – Dayton (reappointed)

Red River Authority Board of Directors
Jerry Dan Davis - Wellington
Mike Sandefur - New Boston
Joe L. Ward – Telephone
(all reappointed)

Nueces River Authority
Olen “Feller” Hughs - Barksdale
Daniel “Danny” Kelley - Karnes City
Daniel Suckley - Corpus Christi
Jane Bell - Corpus Christi (reappointed)
Lisa Greenberg - Corpus Christi (reappointed)
Shannon Freund - Beeville

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