Texas Government Insider

Published: Fri, 05/09/25

Updated: Wed, 05/14/25

Transportation upgrades offer multimillion-dollar projects

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

Structural deficiencies in aging bridges nationwide are driving high-priced replacement and repair initiatives to enhance safety and accessibility for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

See which bridge projects are moving through pre-construction phases »

Texas votes to establish SpaceX-centered city of Starbase

A new city centered around SpaceX has been officially incorporated in Cameron County, Texas, with 212 residents voting in favor versus just six against on May 3, making the company's operational headquarters an official municipality.

Find out how Texas legislation could impact public access to Boca Chica Beach »

Nearly $1B approved for San Antonio technical education growth

Voters have approved an Alamo Colleges District bond package totaling $987 million to fund massive expansion projects across San Antonio's community college system.

Discover which campus locations will create construction opportunities »

Strategic power grid upgrade coming to Permian Basin

Texas regulators approved the state's first 765-kilovolt transmission lines for the Permian Basin, offering improved capacity despite 22% higher costs than conventional options.

Learn how this project fits into the broader ERCOT grid upgrade mandate »

UT System commits $100M to expand civic leadership program

The UT System will invest $100M to renovate the century-old Biological Laboratories building as the new home for UT Austin's School of Civic Leadership.

Check out the 2028 facility renovation timeline »

Austin seeks added funds for $54.5M Barton Springs bridge

The City of Austin is working to secure additional federal funding to replace the century-old Barton Springs Road Bridge, having already accepted a $32 million federal grant that will be matched by $8 million in local funds.

Find out why complete replacement was deemed more cost-effective than preservation »

UT System names Zerwas as acting chancellor

The UT System has appointed Dr. John Zerwas as acting chancellor effective June 1, replacing JB Milliken who is departing to become president of the University of California.

Learn more about Zerwas' legislative background »

GLO allocates $45M for regional mitigation projects

The Texas General Land Office has approved $45 million for water and roadway infrastructure improvements across two counties and four municipalities, with Nueces County receiving $31.3 million.

View all six municipalities' detailed project scopes »

Houston schools to invest $40M in critical infrastructure

The $40 million capital improvement program will target HVAC and roofing needs across 36 campuses during the 2025-26 school year, funded by a $120 million maintenance tax note.

See how this fits into HISD's $12.3B decade-long capital needs plan »

CEOs rank Texas first in nation for business climate

Texas has been ranked the number one state for business for the 21st consecutive year in Chief Executive magazine's annual survey, which polls the nation's leading CEOs on business climate, workforce and quality of life.

Explore how Texas maintains its edge over Florida and Tennessee »

Strategic Partnerships welcomes public utility expert

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. is pleased to welcome Lori Cobos as our newest consulting partner. With over 20 years of executive experience in the electric power industry, Lori brings unparalleled expertise in energy market regulation and development across Texas during periods of unprecedented growth and critical infrastructure challenges.

As the former commissioner of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas, Lori played a central role in strengthening grid reliability following Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Her distinguished career includes leadership positions at the Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel, along with service on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Board of Directors and other regional regulatory committees. Lori's deep understanding of the intersection between regulations, policy and business development makes her an invaluable addition to our consulting team.

Courtney Arbour

Executive Director

Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation

UT Dallas names research innovator as president finalist

The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named Prabhas V. Moghe, executive vice president for academic affairs at Rutgers University, as the sole finalist for the presidency of UT Dallas.

Moghe, a seasoned academic leader and researcher, has overseen major growth in research funding and interdisciplinary initiatives at Rutgers. If confirmed, he will succeed Richard Benson, who has led UT Dallas through a decade of significant expansion.

Energy sector leaders appointed to Texas economic board

Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Lawrence "Larry" Coben, PhD and Bruce Niemeyer to the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, a public-private partnership responsible for marketing Texas domestically and globally as the premier state for business.

Coben, of Houston, serves as chairman, president and CEO of a major energy company, following his leadership of various energy industry affiliates. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Yale University, a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Niemeyer, of The Woodlands, is president of Americas Exploration and Production at a multinational oil and gas corporation, where he previously held positions including corporate vice president of strategy and sustainability. He is a member of the American Petroleum Institute's Upstream Committee and the Greater Houston Partnership's executive committee. He holds a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Dickerman appointed as Harris County interim administrator

The Harris County Commissioners Court has selected Jesse Dickerman to take over as interim county administrator.

Dickerman brings more than two decades of leadership and management experience to the role. He has been with the county since 2020, serving as managing director of energy transition and chief of staff to the county administrator.

Pack selected to lead Livingston school district operations

Dr. Robert Pack has been officially selected as the Livingston Independent School District’s (ISD) superintendent.

Pack left his most recent role as deputy superintendent of Dickinson ISD to accept the new opportunity. Additional past roles held at Alvin ISD and Dickinson ISD include principal, executive director and assistant superintendent.

Trinity River Authority strengthens leadership team

The Trinity River Authority Board of Directors (BOD) has welcomed three new appointments. The authority is responsible for developing and conserving water resources along the Trinity River Basin.

Carson Dennis currently serves as an investment manager at a real estate agency. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University. His term is set to expire March 15, 2029.

Elizabeth Thomas is a partner at a law firm. Thomas is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and the New York State Bar. She earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Dartmouth College. Her term will expire March 15, 2027.

Jerry House has been reappointed to the board. He served nearly four decades as a minister before retiring and currently owns multiple businesses. He is a member of the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Friends of Fort Boggy State Park. House earned a doctorate in ministry from the McCormick Theological Seminary at the University of Chicago, a master’s degree from Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology and a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University. His term is set to expire March 15, 2029.

Governor's Appointments (May 2-8):

Trinity River Authority Board of Directors
Richard “Carson” Dennis - Dallas
Elizabeth Thomas - Fort Worth
Jerry House, D.Min. - Leona

Texas Real Estate Commission
Kristi Davis - Carrollton
James B. Goodwin - Austin
Mark Woodroof - Houston (chair)

Credit Union Commission
Sara Oates - Austin
David Shurtz - Hudson Oaks (reappointed)
Kay Rankin-Swan - Monahans (reappointed)

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