MRT 5/6-7/25 (free) (sponsored by 1440 Media): $3B Prop Tax Deal Reached // Cornyn Signs Trump Lead Pollster, Announces Senior Team // UT Chancellor Leaves for UC System // Whitmire Unveils $7B Budget // TDP to Censure Cuellar?

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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak 

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• TOP NEWS

"UT System chancellor leaves to lead University of California,” Texas Tribune's Ayden Runnels -- "University of Texas System Chancellor JB Milliken will leave the 256,000-student system to take a new out-of-state position as University of California president, system officials said Friday.

"We are fortunate to have had Chancellor Milliken at the helm of the UT System for almost seven years,” said UT System Regents' Chair Kevin P. Eltife in a statement. “The board and I are grateful for our close and very productive relationship with him, and we are proud of what we accomplished together. He has led the UT System admirably and innovatively."

Milliken was appointed as UT System chancellor in 2018 after spending years as chancellor for City University of New York, and has also served as president of the University of Nebraska. Milliken was named the new president of the University of California on Friday, and will enter that role in August, according to statements from UC and the UT System.

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John Zerwas, the University of Texas System’s executive vice chancellor for health affairs and a former Republican member of the Texas House, will serve as acting chancellor when Milliken leaves in June, according to a news release from the UT System. Zerwas, who is a doctor, retired from the Legislature in 2019 after seven terms in the House, at one point serving as chair of the budget-writing House Appropriations committee.

Eltife praised Zerwas’ work as vice chancellor and his ability to strengthen partnerships between UT and health institutions.

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“We continue to have the benefit of Dr. Zerwas’ long and distinguished service in the Texas Legislature as a higher education advocate and budget expert,” Eltife said." Texas Tribune

FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE ENDED: As of July 11, 2022, we have moved to a paywall for free subscribers. Free subscribers will only receive the top story in their morning email. Free subscribers will need to become paid subscribers to receive full story summaries.

• #TXLEGE

"Texas lawmakers reach a deal that will give property tax breaks to homeowners” Houston Chronicle ($)

"Texas may put restraints on new big businesses hoping to tap into the energy grid” Texas Tribune

"How Greg Abbott took a flailing school voucher movement and turned it into a winning issue” Texas Tribune

"Texas Republican lawmakers may “financially handcuff” cities that don’t play by their rules” Texas Tribune

• LOCAL GOVERNMENT

"Houston Mayor John Whitmire unveils $7 billion budget with no tax increase, fees or budget deficit” Houston Chronicle ($)

Editorial: "Will Dallas finally do something about random violence downtown?” DMN ($)

"Houston has seen a rise in homicides compared to 2024, contrary to national trends, records show” Houston Chronicle ($)

"City OKs funding for new athletics center at UTSA main campus” SA Report

• STATE GOVERNMENT

"Texas AG Paxton drops 'critical race theory' lawsuit against Coppell ISD” KERA

• 2025

“Winners and losers from Houston-area elections on bond packages, school board races and more” Houston Chronicle ($)

• 2026

“Sen. John Cornyn announces leadership team, including Trump pollster, for 2026 reelection campaign” Texas Tribune

• TEXANS IN DC

“Texas Democratic Party considers sanctioning Henry Cuellar over federal indictment, votes breaking with party” Texas Tribune

• TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

“NASA confronts a $1B budget shortfall for space station. Here's what it means for astronauts” Houston Chronicle ($)

• BUSINESS NEWS

“SpaceX gets FAA approval for more Starship launches from South Texas” SAEN ($)

• NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas lawmakers move to shift zoning power away from neighbors" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> THE TEXAN: "Power Grid, Data Centers Bill Awaits Testimony in Texas House Committee Hearing" THE TEXAN

> DMN: "Ted Cruz seeks answers for fans frustrated by complicated patchwork of sports media deals" DMN

> SA REPORT: "You can still register to vote in San Antonio’s runoff election through May 8" SA REPORT

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Houston’s $7B budget for FY 2026 will eliminate $330M shortfall" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> SA REPORT: "Elections department reverses course on weekend early voting" SA REPORT

> SA REPORT: "Final two San Antonio mayoral candidates to square off in runoff debate at Stable Hall" SA REPORT

> FWST: "Texas sexual assault suspect on run for 13 years found teaching scuba diving in Mexico" FWST

> SA REPORT: "San Antonio runoff election: 2025 mayor, City Council voter guide" SA REPORT

> HOU CHRON: "Ted Cruz grills sports league officials over high cost of streaming games" HOU CHRON

> FWST: "Dense fog advisory in place for North Texas until Wednesday morning – 1/4 mile visibility" FWST

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Hill Country growth endangers vital water supply" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> SAEN: "Girl, 10, swept away by floodwaters amid Texas storms" SAEN

> MY RGV: "Professor turnover at UTRGV medical school sparks student concerns" MY RGV

> HOU CHRON: "Man accused of fatally stabbing roommate, TikToker Tamilore Odunsi in Houston" HOU CHRON

> KXAN: "Geothermal expansion in Texas a potential ‘game changer’" KXAN

> DMN: "Here are the North Texas arts groups who have lost National Endowment for the Arts funding" DMN

> DMN: "After Wilmer-Hutchins shooting, Dallas school leaders want to crack down on propped doors" DMN

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Kyle police expand mobile mental health care with crisis coordinators" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Cy-Fair ISD salaries could become less competitive without additional state funding" COMMUNITY IMPACT

> FWST: "Texas Education Agency notifies Fort Worth ISD of potential state takeover" FWST

> HOU CHRON: "Immigration drives Houston's growth. What happens if Trump stops it?" HOU CHRON

> HOU CHRON: "Houston Chronicle Editorial Board wins Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing" HOU CHRON

> THE TEXAN: "Texas House and Senate Strike Property Tax Deal on Homestead, Business Exemptions" THE TEXAN

> THE TEXAN: "Texas Lawmakers Weigh Border Security, Illegal Immigration Bills in Last Month of Session" THE TEXAN

> AAS: "Judge: Lottery commission cannot take action against courier company that brought lawsuit" AAS

> THE TEXAN: "Former Harris County District Attorney Calls for Federal Investigation into Public Corruption Cases" THE TEXAN

> THE TEXAN: "Residents in Cameron County Vote to Incorporate SpaceX City of 'Starbase, Texas'" THE TEXAN

> AAS: "Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work." AAS

> THE TEXAN: "Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Faces Political Crosswind Over Chronic Wasting Disease Rules" THE TEXAN

> SA REPORT: "Trinity University will welcome a familiar face to campus this fall: Professor Ron Nirenberg" SA REPORT

> SAEN: Editorial: "Hegseth needs to respect Fort Cavazos’ namesake, stop venerating Confederacy" SAEN

> KXAN: "$100M: Austin mayor responds to skepticism about homelessness spending" KXAN

> TPR: "San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg joins Trinity University in August as communications professor" TPR

> THE TEXAN: "Northeast Tarrant County Conservative Candidates Suffer Losses in School Board Races" THE TEXAN

> SA REPORT: "Who’s in the runoff election? Here are the 5 races on San Antonio’s June 7 ballot." SA REPORT

> DMN: "OPEC sends oil prices reeling, but what’s good for Texas drivers may not be for drillers" DMN

> SA REPORT: "Money problems? How Texans can get out of debt without losing their minds or dignity" SA REPORT

> AAS: "Severe storms and heavy rains expected across Texas this week as omega block hovers" AAS

> DMN: "Dallas energy company to buy Canadian fuel seller for $9.1B" DMN

> SA REPORT: "Smart energy policy will unleash Texas’ potential" SA REPORT

> SAEN: "Army helicopter pilot from San Antonio area found dead in Honduras" SAEN

> TPR: "Faulty tests spur questions about DNA findings in criminal cases in Texas and nationally" TPR

> DMN: "2nd teen arrested in connection with fatal shooting of 14-year-old boy" DMN

> MRT: "TxDOT launches motorcycle safety campaign urging drivers to look twice" MRT

> FWST: "Cop running red light kills biker, then has 4th on-duty crash, AL officials say" FWST

• EXTRA POINTS

Recent Texas sports scores:
Mon
> MLB: Milwaukee 5, Houston 1
Tues
> MLB: Texas 6, Boston 1
> MLB: Milwaukee 4, Houston 3

Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 12:10pm: MLB: Houston at Milwaukee
> 5:45pm: MLB: Texas at Boston
> 8:30pm: NHL: Dallas at Winnipeg (0-0) (ESPN)

Tomorrow's Texas sports schedule:
> 12:35pm: MLB: Texas at Boston

DALLAS COWBOYS: "Dallas Cowboys acquiring WR George Pickens from Pittsburgh Steelers, reports say" DMN ($)

DALLAS STARS: "Stars-Jets predictions: Does Dallas have edge in second-round series vs. Winnipeg?" DMN ($)

HOUSTON ROCKETS: "Evaluating Houston Rockets' guard Jalen Green. 'One playoff series doesn't define a player.'" Houston Chronicle ($)

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: "Mitch Johnson gains new multi-year contract from Spurs" SAEN ($)

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: "New coach Mitch Johnson aims to do the Spurs Way, his way" SAEN ($)

TEXAS RANGERS: "Texas Rangers hire former All-Star Bret Boone, brother of Yankees manager, as a hitting coach" AP

AUSTIN FC: "Austin FC vs El Paso Locomotive: Prediction, preview for US Open Cup" AAS ($)