Austin’s light rail program could be ‘toast’ due to an allegedly unconstitutional financing proposal.
Local
City of McLendon-Chisholm Fights Transparency
Specialists argue this exemplifies why state lawmakers must update Texas’ once-model transparency law.
Allen ISD Teacher Accused of ‘Inappropriate Interactions’ with Student
Allen High School science teacher Albert Najera is on “indefinite administrative leave” while police investigate.
Analysis: City of Dallas Currently $6.9 Billion in Debt
The report showed that Dallas taxpayers’ burden in 2023 was $18,110 per person.
Tarrant County Public Hospitals Consider Race and Gender When Contracting Medical Equipment Vendors
The public hospitals are giving additional points to vendors owned by minorities or women.
MOST RECENT
City Officials Consider Property Tax Increases and Garbage Fee for Houston Residents
The administration may seek to lift both the city’s local property tax cap and the state-imposed property tax cap in one ballot measure this November.
Montgomery County Adopts Citizen-Led Library Book Review Policy
The new policy puts citizens in charge of determining what taxpayer-funded library materials are appropriate for children and young adults.
New Details Emerge in Conservative Professor’s Free Speech Lawsuit Against UT
Allegations of nepotism, at the university president’s behest, are a reminder of ugly recent history.
Kerrville City Council Passes Controversial Anti-Solicitation Ordinance Despite Pushback
The ordinance bars all soliciting, peddling, and canvassing on public sidewalks.
Gender Identity Assignment at Houston High School Sparks Concerns Among Parents, Students
The assignment used an online tool called the “Genderbread Person” and asked students to analyze different aspects of gender.
Austin Hires DEI-Promoting City Manager
T.C. Broadnax is currently the City Manager of Dallas, where he has faced criticism for his handling of crime, homelessness, and police oversight.
Granbury ISD Puts $300 Million Bond on May Ballot
Local citizens are speaking out against the tax increase.
Sugar Land to Ban Smoke Shops
The City Council is considering amending the development code to remove “tobacco, hookah, and vapor retail store” as a permitted use, effectively banning any new stores, lounges, or bars that primarily sell tobacco-related products from opening.
Pastors, Residents Speak Out Against Sexually Explicit Books at Fort Bend ISD Board Meeting
Books like What Girls Are Made Of by Elena K. Arnold feature sexual imagery as well as jokes about abortion.
McKinney Airport Expansion PAC Violated Campaign Ethics Laws
The Texas Ethics Commission fined McKinney Above the Rest PAC $2,500 for “substantial” unreported financial activity.
ARCHIVE
Dallas ISD Superintendent Encourages Parents and Staff to Vote in the Primaries
Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde wrote in a news release that this election is “perhaps the most important for public education in Texas history.”
Marlin Moms Threatened by State Senator’s Law Firm for Complaining About School District
Parents are now suing Marlin ISD after State Sen. Royce West’s law firm threatened to sue them for defamation.
Fort Bend ISD Library Books Feature Sexually Explicit, Anti-Religious Themes
Five books in Fort Bend ISD school libraries contain sexually explicit and anti-Christian material.
El Paso Teacher Charged with Improper Relationship With Student
Ryan Anthony Avalos’ relationship with the student allegedly began in November 2023.
George Soros Funds Harris County District Attorney Challenger
Soros is turning his attention to the Harris County District Attorney’s race between incumbent Kim Ogg and Sean Teare.
Another Austin Drag Show Targets Children
The Austin Public Library is a partner for the event.
North Austin Aquatics League Allows Boys to Compete with Girls
The league updated its handbook and will now allow boys who identify as girls to compete with female swimmers.
Houston Makes Progress on Deal with Firefighters
A tentative agreement has been announced to end the city’s 8-year labor dispute with the Houston Professional Firefighters Association.
Citizens Pursue Criminal Complaint Against Denton ISD Electioneering
Submission of voter affidavits requires the local district attorney’s office to investigate the complaint.
Huffman ISD is the Latest School District Caught Potentially Violating Electioneering Laws
In a recently leaked audio recording, Huffman ISD Superintendent Benny Soileau instructed faculty members to vote for the “sweet 16.”