MRT 8/17-21/26 (free): Data Centers Take Center Stage // Big Bend Border Wall Halted // SA Council Rejects Re-Vote on Spurs Arena // GOP Convention Hits $45M Goal

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BY: @MattMackowiak 

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MONDAY 8/17/2026 - FRIDAY 8/212026

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TOP NEWS

“Data centers in Texas prove a key topic months away from midterm elections” via CBS News‘ Steven Rosenbaum – As the public backlash to data center construction continues in both suburban and rural parts of Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott is touting that major tech companies like Google, Amazon and Microsoft are signing on to guidelines he has implemented to “ensure data center development does not come at the expense of Texas families or communities”.

The guidelines include undergoing audits from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas over electricity use, water consumption, noise and light pollution and other impacts on nearby property owners. Abbott says data center projects that do not comply with the audits will not be approved.

A recent poll by Texas Public Opinion Research shows more than 75 percent of Texans support requiring large AI data centers to disclose water consumption, avoid tapping overused aquifers, fund conservation projects, fund their own grid upgrades, and not pass the costs onto other electricity ratepayers. (CBS News)

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“Texas Lacks Statewide Record of Water Use, Local Tax Breaks for Data Centers” via The Texan‘s Isaiah Mitchell – The Texas Legislature is preparing to address data center development using information reported by the developers themselves, according to state officials.

During a lengthy hearing in the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, several public officials told the State Affairs Committee of the Texas House that agencies do not comprehensively track data centers ’ water usage or the local tax breaks they receive. The state instead relies on survey responses.

The committee heard from Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and Thomas Gleeson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), the two agencies responsible for managing Texas’ electrical infrastructure. Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott asked these agencies to audit all data center projects in the process of connecting to the Texas power grid, specifying that the PUC and ERCOT must learn which projects benefit from state and local tax breaks.

“Are either the PUC or ERCOT set up to undertake that type of review of local tax incentives or abatements, or anything on the state level, for that matter?” state Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) asked Pablo Vegas and Thomas Gleeson. Vegas told Turner that they’ll ask for this information through a survey. During a tense exchange with state Rep. Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo), officials representing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) also told the lawmaker that their agencies don’t maintain a statewide record of data centers’ water usage, which can vary considerably from one project to another. (THE TEXAN)

“Texas’s Data Center Dominance At Risk” via Newsweek‘s Hugh Cameron – Texas is leading the way when it comes to data center development in the U.S., but local opposition and now official moratoriums may be threatening what developers see as the potential benefits from the state’s central role in the AI boom.

Data center expansion has emerged as a national flashpoint, with officials and companies themselves touting the economic value and strategic importance of securing America’s edge in the AI race, though surveys continue to chart widespread disapproval from voters across the country. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from June found that 57 percent would oppose a data center being built in their community, a figure that reached 71 percent in an earlier survey from Gallup.

In an interview with Punchbowl News in early August, President Donald Trump called data centers “tremendously important” while acknowledging Americans’ unease about the ongoing buildout. “Whoever wins AI just wins. It’s that big. It’s bigger than the internet by many times. It’s gonna be bigger than anybody ever thought possible. Not even imaginable how big,” the president said. “I saw Texas the other day sort of is against data centers. I think it’s a mistake.”

In a recent note, Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, described America’s “data center boom” as “a Texas Story.” he cited research from the market intelligence platform Cleanview, which found that Texas—while second to Virginia in current operating capacity—now accounts for more planned capacity by megawatts (94,656 MW) than the next three states combined. CyrusOne, a company which currently boasts 15 data centers in Texas, told Newsweek. “Maintaining that leadership will help sustain job creation, workforce development, local tax revenue and the infrastructure needed to support the state’s continued economic growth.” Ray Perryman, president and CEO of The Perryman Group, an economic research and analysis firm based in Waco, Texas, likewise described them as a “major source of investment throughout Texas,” but one which community opposition could complicate. (Newsweek)

“Judge upholds temporary halt on border wall construction along wildlife refuge” via KXAN‘s Sandra Sanchez – A federal judge is keeping in place a temporary order preventing border wall construction at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, Texas, at least for a couple weeks. During a preliminary hearing on Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Juan Alanis, of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas in McAllen continued the temporary restraining order, which had stopped border wall construction along the refuge.

He also set another hearing for Aug. 26 in the civil case. The Hidalgo County Irrigation District filed a lawsuit against Spencer Construction LLC, and Royal Concrete Products LLC, claiming border wall construction at Santa Ana National Wildlife that began in late July was “interfering and altering the property, canals and related irrigation infrastructure... without Plaintiff’s consent,” according to the lawsuit obtained by Border Report.

The case was originally filed in state District Court but was bumped to federal court last week after the federal government joined as a third party saying it oversees Spencer Construction and all border wall related construction on the Southwest border. After the quick, 10-minute hearing on Monday, Ruben Peña, the lawyer representing Spencer Construction, told Border Report that the contractor used safeguards to prevent any damage to the canal when it began building the border wall in late July. (KXAN)

“Texas may soon have more people than California — here’s why” via New York Post‘s Joel Kotkin – More than a half century ago California passed New York to become America’s most populous state. It was not only first in population, but an industrial, agricultural, and technology behemoth that also provided most of the nation’s entertainment.

Today that primacy is threatened as never before, most powerfully by Texas, whose pro-business policies, low taxes and growing technical skill are propelling its economy. By 2050, for example, Texas is now slated to pass California in population, driven both by both immigration and domestic migration. Its economy is growing far faster, and it is now the headquarters of many former Californian companies.

This year, for the first time, Texas passed California and New York as a headquarters for the nation’s largest companies. Even the establishmentarian Economist recently proclaimed the Lone Star State is “America Inc.’s new centre of gravity.” What should concern us are the reasons for this shift. After all, people don’t move to Texas for better weather or scenery. Or for reasonable policies on issues like abortion. (New York Post)

“San Antonio City Council rejects public vote on $489M Spurs arena contribution” via TPR‘s Andrea Drusch – San Antonio City Council rejected calls to hold a public vote on its $489 million Spurs arena contribution on Monday, voting down a proposal to put it on the Nov. 3 midterm ballot.

The move means that last November’s election approving $311 million in Bexar County venue tax dollars for the arena, known as Proposition B, could be both the first and only time voters are asked about a public investment that totals more than $800 million.

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones called Monday’s meeting knowing she likely lacked the support from colleagues to get a city vote on the ballot. Now that the council is facing a ballooning budget deficit, Jones said that investment of this scale deserved its own public hearing.

The majority of her colleagues disagreed, saying it was bad for business to invite the public to weigh in on major spending decisions that don’t legally require it. “We should be very careful about establishing a precedent that every significant revenue bond decision requires another election simply because the dollar amount is large,” said Councilwoman Misty Spears, one of the nonpartisan panel’s two most conservative members. (TPR)

“Texas leads nation in restaurant closures” via Spectrum News — Restaurant doors open every day across Texas, but for some owners, keeping those doors open has become an increasingly difficult challenge.

A midyear report from RestaurantData shows 1,039 restaurant closures across Texas during the first half of 2026, the highest number of closures in the nation.

At Renny’s Bar and Grill in Dallas, owner Mark Maguire is a familiar presence, laughing with customers, checking in on tables and making sure guests feel at home. (Spectrum News)

“Taylor Sheridan shares update on ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff about Four Sixes Ranch” via Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Brayden Garcia – Taylor Sheridan has many irons in the fire, but there’s one he’s quenching into a bucket of water.

More than five years ago, in February 2021, Paramount announced a new scripted series about the historic Four Sixes Ranch. The show, which had a working title of “6666,” was announced as part of Taylor Sheridan’s new slate of Paramount+ programming along with projects like “1883,” “Landman” and “Mayor of Kingstown.”

It was apt timing to reveal the show, since “Yellowstone” viewers would soon see Jimmy (Jefferson White) be sent to the Guthrie, Texas, ranch in season 4, which premiered that November. The show announcement also came about a year before Taylor Sheridan and a group of investors purchased the ranch for more than $300 million in early 2022.

On Dale Brisby’s “Rodeo Time,” Taylor Sheridan detailed the latest on “6666.” “There’s never going to be one,” Taylor Sheridan said. “I would never fictionalize that ranch.” Taylor Sheridan continued that if he was to make a show about the ranch, he would have to trivialize and fictionalize a place where real people work and raise their families. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

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2026

“De­mo­c­ratic Lt. Gov. candidate Vikki Goodwin chal­lenges Re­pub­lican Dan Patrick to debate” via Spectrum News‘— The Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor challenged three-term incumbent Republican Dan Patrick to a set of debates before the November election.

Austin State Rep. Vikki Goodwin issued her challenge on Spectrum News’ Capital Tonight.

“What I would really like is a debate. I’d like to have three debates with Dan Patrick to really get the issues out there for the voters,” she said. “I think voters deserve to have the candidates side by side, talking about the issues of the day.”

The Republican incumbent is heavily favored in the race, given the GOP’s three decades of domination in state politics and his massive campaign war chest. Dan Patrick had $35 million in cash on hand in his last financial report covering the first six months of the year. (Spectrum News)

“Dallas group hits $45 million fundraising goal for Trump’s GOP convention” via Dallas Morning News‘ Charlotte Kramon – The private group seeking support for President Donald Trump’s Republican convention in Dallas says it raised $45 million to help stage the two-day event next month.

The Dallas 2026 Host Committee said contributions came from individuals and companies in Dallas, across Texas and nationwide. Like similar committees, it did not name donors or say how much each group gave.

Ray Washburne, a developer and committee co-chair, said the group had “met its fundraising goals” and looked forward to “celebrating everything Dallas” at the GOP gathering Sept. 9–10 at American Airlines Center .

“Donors were excited to support this historic event coming to Dallas since it is another way to showcase a vibrant downtown, our expertise in hosting large, high-profile events and our Texas hospitality,” he told The Dallas Morning News. Andrew Cates, a San Antonio-based attorney who specializes in legislative and campaign law, said “If there’s one thing that I know is that if the Republicans need to raise $30 million to $40 million, they can do it,” (DMN)

“Texas counties sue feds for trying to tie election security policies to anti-terrorism funding” via The Texas Tribune‘s Ayden Runnels – El Paso County and Harris County on Monday sued the Department of Homeland Security alongside communities in Tennessee and Ohio over new requirements for federal grants that they argue undermine election security and public safety.

In June, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it would withhold 20% of DHS’ Homeland Security Grant Program funds unless grantees complied with five requirements that would shift how local officials conduct their elections. The new requirements include a mandatory transition from voting machines that accept QR and bar codes to ones that take paper ballots, conducting manual ballot audits and running voter registration through DHS’ Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system, better known as the SAVE system.

The SAVE system has repeatedly been flagged for misidentifying voters as noncitizens, however the Trump administration has nevertheless pushed for its use amid false claims that millions of noncitizens are registered to vote. In late July, Texas’ Secretary of State’s Office directed county officials to reinstate some of the 2,724 registered voters who were flagged as potential noncitizens by the SAVE system.

“Local election offices already face some of the toughest oversight and requirements designed to keep their operations safe and secure,” Christina Sanchez said in a statement. “Imposing additional requirements is both costly and burdensome, while our law enforcement agencies rely on this funding to purchase critical equipment that helps protect and save lives.” (TX TRIB)

“Elon Musk Is Expected to Point His Money Machine at Texas Politics” via WIRED‘s Hugo Lowell – **Elon Musk** is expected to spend big to boost Republicans in the midterms this November, according to Trump officials briefed on the matter.

The precise amount could change, but the officials expect **Elon Musk** to spend around $100 million to $200 million with a focus on voter turnout in key races, including Texas, where the fate of Republican nominee **Ken Paxton** could determine which party controls the US Senate.

The planned cash injection—or any in-kind contribution relating to voter turnout—would be a boon for **Ken Paxton**, who has been vastly outraised in contributions. According to the latest FEC filings, **James Talarico** had raised roughly $69 million compared to **Ken Paxton**’s $9 million.

While an endorsement from President **Donald Trump** carried him to victory, **Ken Paxton** lagged behind in contributions throughout a bruising primary against Senator **John Cornyn** that resurfaced past scandals , and has fared little better since becoming the nominee. (WIRED)

“Senate hopeful Talarico touts his faith. Texas Republicans call it blasphemy.” via The Washington Post‘s Matthew Choi – State Rep. James Talarico is changing the script, leaning into his background in a progressive Presbyterian seminary. It’s a playbook that has helped propel his political career. Before he was the Democrats’ hope to flip a Republican Senate seat in Texas, the state lawmaker often invoked the Bible to justify progressive policy positions in the Texas Capitol.

Past floor speeches and sermons on abortion, gender equity and religious pluralism helped give him the online platform that launched his Senate run. He is now making his faith a central part of his Senate campaign, telling voters “it’s time to start flipping tables” and take back faith from the religious right — a reference to the biblical story of Jesus flipping over tables in the Temple of Jerusalem to purge merchants profiting off a house of worship.

James Talarico boils down his core message to two commandments from the Bible: Love God and love your neighbor. His allies say Talarico’s approach could help win over faith-based voters in the Bible Belt’s largest state. But Talarico’s past remarks regarding the Bible have infuriated some evangelical voters, and attacking Talarico’s comments is now a regular part of his Republican opponent’s stump speech.

“First of all, he said God is nonbinary. He also said, ‘I’m a Christian, but I hate Christianity.’ How many Christians do you know have said that?” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently told an audience of supporters in North Texas. “I’ve never met one.” Talarico, 37, and Paxton, a 63-year-old staunch evangelical Trump ally, are engaged in a competitive general election race that could be pivotal in Democrats’ attempt to retake control of the Senate. (WAPO)

“Dallas activists seek nationwide turnout for protests at Trump’s GOP convention” via Dallas Morning News‘ María Ramos Pacheco and Chase Rogers – Historian Michael Phillips spoke Friday about the political history of Dallas and the protests at Dallas’ 1984 Republican National Convention.

A new generation of activists is preparing a series of protests when President Donald Trump arrives next month in Dallas for a national rally, 42 years after demonstrators targeted the city’s last Republican national convention.

The Dallas Against the Trump Agenda coalition is seeking city permits, lining up legal support, organizing safety training and even arranging sign-making sessions ahead of the Sept. 9-10 convention at the American Airlines Center.

Jo Hargis of the DFW Anti-War Committee said the coalition is inviting organizations nationwide to participate and is ready to work with others opposed to the Trump administration. “People are welcome from all around the country to join in this protest,” Hargis said. (DMN)

STATE GOVERNMENT  

“Paxton Bars More Than 110 Cities From Raising Taxes Over Audit Failures” via Texas Scorecard‘s Sydnie Henry – Attorney General Ken Paxton has notified more than 110 additional Texas cities that they may not raise their property tax rates above the no-new-revenue rate after his office found they failed to meet state financial audit and transparency requirements.

The latest notices expand Paxton’s enforcement effort under Senate Bill 1851, a 2025 law that limits a noncompliant municipality’s authority to raise ad valorem taxes. In May, the attorney general notified more than 130 cities of the same restriction after reviewing records from more than 1,000 municipalities statewide.

“I am continuing to fight to stop cities from unlawfully raising taxes on hardworking Texans,” Paxton said. “My office has been investigating cities across Texas. Now, over 110 new cities have been notified that they must not raise property taxes in violation of state law. I will continue to make sure that taxpayers are protected from unlawful tax increases.”

SB 1851 requires a municipality to have its records and accounts audited annually and to prepare an annual financial statement based on that audit. Cities must also file the financial statement and the auditor’s opinion with the municipal secretary or clerk within 180 days of the end of the city’s fiscal year. (Texas Scorecard)

“Texas Ten Commandments lawsuits could advance to U.S. Supreme Court” via San Antonio Express-News‘ Sophia Veneziano – Two lawsuits challenging a Texas law that requires public schools to post donated copies of the Ten Commandments in every classroom may advance to the U.S. Supreme Court.

More than 20 Texas families on Monday requested that the nation’s highest court hear their challenges to Senate Bill 10, which lawmakers passed in 2025. The law has drawn several legal challenges across the state since it went into effect.

The families asked the Supreme Court to review lower court decisions in two separate cases. One of the lawsuits was filed by San Antonio Rabbi Mara Nathan against the Alamo Heights Independent School District, and the other was filed by Comal ISD parent Roxanne Cribbs Ringer against her district. (SAEN)

“Minnesota sues to force Greg Abbott to extradite ICE agent in shooting case” via Houston Chronicle‘s Benjamin Wermund – The state of Minnesota is asking a federal judge to force Gov. Greg Abbott to authorize the extradition of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent accused of shooting a Minneapolis man earlier this year.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, says the Republican governor has delayed the extradition of the ICE officer, Christian J. Castro, 52, for months — to the point that Castro could soon be eligible for release under Texas law, which sets a 90-day limit on detention of fugitives awaiting extradition.

Abbott said Tuesday that he will not respond to Minnesota’s request “at all” until officials “acknowledge their fault” in a series of fraud cases involving government programs. “I don’t trust Tim Walz on anything, let alone something like this,” Abbott said of the Minnesota governor. (HOU CHRON)

“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calls for a ban on H-1B visas for public school employees” via Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Eleanor Dearman – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday called for legislation banning H-1B visas for public school employees.

Abbott made the remarks during a news conference in Austin focused on stopping “foreign influence” in K-12 schools. One step towards that goal is barring the federal temporary work visas that are reserved for high-skilled immigrant workers, the governor said.

The legislative proposal follows Abbott’s January directive to state agencies and public universities and colleges to halt new H-1B visas.

“Exactly zero Texas public school employees should be here on H-1B visas,” Abbott said. Additionally, lawmakers should pass legislation that prohibits public schools from taking gifts, money or property from foreign sources, Abbott said. He said schools should also be barred from “entering into partnerships or financial agreements with a foreign source.” The proposals are Abbott’s latest policy announcements related to education, as he bids against state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, an Austin Democrat, for governor in the Nov. 3 general election. (FWST)

“Dan Patrick: “We’re coming for the books” in school libraries” via The Texas Tribune‘s Alejandro Serrano – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday vowed to pass legislation punishing public schools that do not remove graphic books from their shelves by knocking them down a notch in the state’s annual school performance ratings, which the state uses to seize control of underperforming districts.

Flanked by easels displaying printed covers of books he found obscene, the lieutenant governor said school boards and administrators have not been following a 2025 law aimed at weeding out lewd books from the shelves in Texas’ more than 9,000 campuses attended by some 5.5 million schoolchildren.

“It’s the law and we expect you to follow the law. So we’re coming for the books,” Patrick said during a news conference at the Texas Capitol. “We ask that you do it on your own and remove these books.”

Patrick noted at his press conference, however, that more than 90% of parents and grandparents would not want their kids seeing the books he was highlighting, some of which depicted masturbation and graphic images of genitalia. Dan Patrick is up for reelection and will face state Rep. Vikki Goodwin in November. (TX TRIB)

“Failing AISD campuses reach Texas threshold for state intervention” via Austin Current’s Andrea Ball – Austin school district leaders are determined to turn around the two middle schools that triggered mandatory state intervention.

Whether they get the chance may no longer be up to them. Burnet and Webb middle schools received their fifth consecutive F ratings from the Texas Education Agency, triggering a state law that requires the agency to intervene. What that intervention ultimately looks like remains unclear.

Under the new statewide ratings released Friday, it is the only Texas district to trigger a potential state takeover. But the ratings also left the district with an argument that it is making progress. The district overall earned a B grade, up from a C last year, said Superintendent Matias Segura. And Dobie Middle School, which was teetering on its fifth failing score, earned a D this year.

Matias Segura says he won’t speculate on TEA’s next move and, as of Wednesday, had not spoken to the agency about the pending state intervention. Instead, he said, educators remain focused on improving all the schools, including Webb, Burnet and Dobie. “I’ve spent time at those three schools last week, even prior to that,” Segura said. “We have two new leaders at those schools. The system is now better positioned to move the outcomes based on what we went through last year.” (TX TRIB)

“Former Texas Lottery chief heads to court. Here’s how the agency’s troubles unfolded” via TPR‘s Lucio Vasquez |The Texas Newsroom – More than three years after a group of gamblers spent millions of dollars buying nearly every possible combination for a Texas lottery drawing, the fallout is moving into a new phase: criminal court.

Gary Grief, the former longtime executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission, faces a first-degree felony charge of abuse of official capacity over the April 2023 Lotto Texas drawing. The commission itself — an agency that no longer exists — has also been indicted on the same charge.

The cases stem from a Texas Rangers investigation into a $95 million jackpot that set off years of scrutiny over how the state lottery was run, its relationship with private lottery businesses and the commission’s role in facilitating the massive ticket purchase. (TPR)

#TXLEGE  

“Texas lawmakers turn against the massive power lines they ordered” via San Antonio Express-News‘ Kelsey Brown – Texas lawmakers are telling the Public Utility Commission to hold up on building massive power lines to West Texas, just two years after ordering the construction to meet a surge in demand driven by the electrification of the oil and gas industry and data centers. The about-face comes after a 15-hour public hearing last month illuminated the issues faced by landowners in the planning process for development of the state’s largest-ever transmission lines.

At a meeting, the state utility regulator took no action to halt the development set to begin with a $1.4 billion line that could cut through 14 counties in the Hill Country to transport power from San Antonio to West Texas. A House committee is to conduct a hearing and the PUC could review one of the planned lines. The series of lines is being planned under the $33 billion Permian Basin Reliability Plan, which would add 765-kilovolt transmission lines throughout the state.

Sen. Charles Schwertner, chair of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, said last month’s hearing revealed “significant concerns” with the process, lack of proper notice from utilities, shortened timelines for utility commission proceedings and due process at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. He called on the PUC to deny the existing Certificate of Convenience and Necessity applications, which utilities file to build a new transmission line. (SAEN)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT  

“Exclusive: HISD touted gains. Ratings leaned on courses Texas deemed ineffective” via Houston Chronicle‘s Caroline Ghisolfi – Two years into Houston ISD’s state takeover, state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles touted a major achievement: state ratings showed there were no more F-rated schools in the district.

Some of that jump, however, had little to do with Miles’ sweeping reforms or gains in student test scores. One key factor was HISD’s use of a new, rapidly expanding option in Texas’ accountability system: college-prep courses.

These are not typical courses that can earn students college credit, such as Advanced Placement or dual credit. These are courses, often taken online, that help students catch up on English and math so they don’t have to take remedial classes in college. In the state’s accountability system, schools that enroll students in college-prep courses can earn credit for producing college-ready graduates, which in turn boosts their A-F ratings.

Exclusive data from the Texas Education Agency obtained by the Houston Chronicle shows that without students completing those courses, every high school in Miles’ reform model would have dropped by at least one letter grade in 2025. The district would have had five D-rated and two F-rated high schools – undercutting Miles’ claim of no F-rated campuses. (HOU CHRON)

“Texas cities eye property tax hikes, spending cuts amid yawning budget gaps” via The Texas Tribune‘s Joshua Fechter – Texas cities have floated unusual proposals to slash their spending as they face yawning budget gaps, from laying off employees and charging non-residents higher zoo ticket prices, to asking voters to reconsider public funding to a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs.

These desperate maneuvers — some of which have not come to fruition — underscore how inflation, a slower economy and moves by state lawmakers have put Texas’ biggest cities in a tightening financial noose that will take big moves to get out of.

“This is going to be our new normal going forward,” Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said Tuesday during a briefing on the city’s upcoming budget.

In Dallas, the budget gap is $51 million. In Fort Worth, it’s $94 million. In San Antonio, the city faces a $158 million deficit over the next two years. Austin faces a structural deficit that could grow past $100 million by the start of the next decade. (TX TRIB)

“Harris County Proposed $3.1 Billion Budget Proposal Will Require Property Tax Hike” via The Texan‘s Holly Hansen – Harris County property owners may pay higher tax bills next year to cover a proposed $3.1 billion budget and bridge a projected $181 million shortfall.

Management and Budget Executive Director Daniel Ramos presented the Fiscal Year 2027 proposal to the Harris County Commissioners Court on Monday, with a plan to cover the shortfall with cost savings, land sales, and other new revenues — and by adopting the Voter-Approval Rate (VAR), the maximum rate increase allowed under Texas law without voter approval.

Should commissioners approve the VAR next month, the overall property tax rate — which includes the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris Health hospital district, the Port of Houston, and the county’s general fund — will increase from $0.6241 to about $0.68 per $100 of appraised value.

Commissioners Adrian Garcia (D-Pct. 2) and Lesley Briones (D-Pct. 4) blamed the county’s budget woes on unfunded mandates from the state, Texas lawmakers’ refusal to expand Medicaid, and federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Affordable Care Act. (THE TEXAN)

“Can Austin break the costly cycle of homelessness, jail and crisis? A new program aims to do that.” via The Texas Tribune – About six months behind bars, Marcus Martin walked out of the Travis County Correctional Complex in Southeast Austin, a broad smile stretched across his face. He’s been incarcerated before, but he believes this time is different.

Outside the facility, several people awaited his release in their vehicles, blasting the air conditioning, while another went inside to greet Martin, made sure he had all of his belongings and walked him through what came next. The team waiting for him were not social workers, case managers or family, but sworn Austin Police Department officers assigned to a new program called No Wrong Door, a cross-agency effort aimed at helping people experiencing homelessness with complex mental health disorders who have frequent interactions with law enforcement and public health systems.

Martin is one of roughly 950 people local officials identify as the county’s highest “utilizers,” residents whose repeated arrests, emergency room visits, psychiatric crises and criminal trespasses cost an estimated $137 million in public resources each year while often leaving the underlying problems untreated. Austin leaders believe No Wrong Door, could change that by coordinating police, hospitals, homeless service providers and other agencies around people who have proven hardest for existing systems to reach.

For Martin, a series of life events and a bad breakup led to him becoming homeless for several years. Drug use kept him there and away from his family. “With me going down the rabbit hole I was going down, it wasn’t productive or beneficial for me to be around them,” he said. “I was being selfish, to be honest with you, and chose drugs over my own safety.” That rabbit hole led to frequent interactions with local law enforcement and, eventually, a jail sentence. It also led to Martin being identified as a candidate for No Wrong Door while behind bars. Officers in the program met with him while he was incarcerated to determine what support he would need upon release to stay healthy and out of jail. For Martin, that meant checking in at an Integral Care clinic to continue receiving mental health treatment. Martin said “I’m ready to grow,” he said. “I think it’s gonna be a beautiful thing.” (TX TRIB)

“Bexar County health department at risk as ARPA money runs out” via San Antonio Report‘s Josh Archote – Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, Bexar County spent millions in federal pandemic relief dollars on public health programs — with the goal of getting more involved in preventative health, preparing for future pandemics and addressing longstanding health inequities.

Now, the funds are expiring at the same time the county budget is being squeezed, raising uncertainty about the future of the county’s public health department, particularly its newly created Preventative Health Division.

Created in 2022, the division now operates a $10 million annual budget, including 28 staff positions and programs supporting victims of domestic violence, elder abuse and other public health initiatives, according to a county budget document. Given the budget picture, some county commissioners are suggesting combining county efforts with University Health’s Public Health Division, which was also established that year with the help of temporary American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who championed the project, said in an interview that he wasn’t sure if the county’s preventative health campaigns had been effective — or what the division had done since he left office. “I don’t know whether they’ve done any good with it or not,” he said. “Maybe just another bureaucratic department, as far as I know, and if that’s true, then there’s no need to have it. But if they have done some good things and they can be transferred over to University Hospital, then that ought to be done.” (SA REPORT)

“McKinney voters move to recall mayor, council members following approval of mosque” via Dallas Morning News‘ Sarah Bahari – A group of McKinney residents has launched an effort to recall the mayor and three city council members, a week after the city council unanimously approved a contentious proposal for a new mosque.

Organizers cited a “loss of public confidence” in the ability of the elected officials to represent the city’s residents in filings submitted this week to the city. The recall effort seeks to remove from office Mayor Bill Cox and council members Justin Beller, Geré Feltus, and Ernest Lynch.

In a statement, the mayor said residents have “every right to make their voices heard and to participate in the processes available to them.” “Upholding the law and the constitutional principles that guide our government is a fundamental responsibility,” he said. “Our focus remains on serving the people of McKinney and continuing the important work before us.” (DMN)

BUSINESS NEWS  

“Amazon confirms Dog’s Head robotics facility, plans up to 500 new jobs in Austin” via Austin American-Statesman‘s Travis Webb – A map shows the roughly 2,650-acre Dog’s Head development site in Southeast Austin, where Amazon said Thursday it plans to build an advanced robotics manufacturing facility.

Amazon has confirmed plans to build a multibillion-dollar robotics manufacturing facility at Dog’s Head in Southeast Austin.

The facility is expected to create as many as 500 manufacturing and engineering jobs and will produce the robotics systems used across the online retail giant’s operations to handle repetitive tasks and heavy lifting, Amazon said Thursday .

Mayor Kirk Watson said Amazon did not seek economic incentives or public money for its facility, echoing comments he made during the city’s approval of the Dog’s Head financing plan. (AAS)

“Elon Musk’s Starbase wants to expand in south Texas” via TPR‘s Reynaldo Leaños Jr. – On a scorching August afternoon in south Texas, Bekah Hinojosa, the co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Center, blasts the A/C in her car. As she drives down Highway 4 towards Boca Chica Beach, large 18-wheelers and silver glistening Cybertrucks zoom past her on the opposite lane.

“This road is always under construction,” said Hinojosa. “SpaceX is rapidly colonizing and changing the entire landscape of Boca Chica.” Very soon the newly created city of Starbase, and Elon Musk‘s SpaceX, could change this area by the Gulf of Mexico, even more. This city was established in 2025 and is now asking its residents to consider annexing around 7,100 acres of surrounding land, including state and private property.

The city was created, in part, as a way to help grow its SpaceX workforce and increase its capacity for developing, and the manufacturing needed for more rocket launches. In April of 2025 the Federal Aviation Administration approved SpaceX’s request to increase launches from its Boca Chica Launch Site. These operations include, “up to 25 annual Starship/Super Heavy orbital launches, up to 25 annual landings of Starship, up to 25 annual landings of Super Heavy, and vehicle upgrades,” according to the FAA document. (TPR)

QUICK LINKS  

HOU CHRON: “Trafficked Texas fuel may now be bankrolling cartels more than drugs” HOU CHRON

HOU CHRON: “25K Texas oil and gas wells could soon be ‘zombie wells,’ watchdog group warns” HOU CHRON

Cook Political Report: “Texas and Iowa Senate Races Move to Toss Up; Races for Governor Also Move in Democrats’ Direction” Cook Political Report

TX TRIB: “Cornered by Big Bend backlash, Texas Republicans tread carefully around Trump” TX TRIB

TX TRIB: “Texas moves toward allowing reuse of treated oilfield waste” TX TRIB

TX TRIB: “Lithium production emerges as a lucrative industry for Texas” TX TRIB

HOU CHRON: “UH cuts 40% of core curriculum, including climate change and LGBT studies” HOU CHRON

KXAN: “Hemp businesses sue Texas health agency over product testing criteria” KXAN

Fort Worth Report: “Tarrant County the model for property tax relief across Texas, governor says” Fort Worth Report

SAEN: “Council approves $220.5M contract for renovating S.A. airport terminals” SAEN

DMN: “Wilonsky: Trinity Bible Church sues Dallas over its rules for private schools” DMN

DMN: “Therme’s planned $850M Dallas resort wins key zoning vote” DMN

SAEN: “Bexar County leaders approve tax break for major H-E-B expansion” SAEN

KXAN: “Austin gang activity trending younger, more violent, police say” KXAN

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “This historic Fort Worth building will become affordable housing” Fort Worth Star-Telegram

DMN: “$1B Dallas development hits milestone and other real estate news” DMN

TX MONTHLY: “He’s the Best Up-and-Coming Chef in the Country. It Might Help Him Stay Here.” TX MONTHLY

HOU CHRON: “Where Brennan’s owner Alex Brennan-Martin eats on his perfect Houston day” HOU CHRON

AAS: “James Beard Award winners headline Austin Food & Wine Festival” AAS

AAS: “Golden: Arch Manning is doing his talking at practice during media break” AAS

EXTRA POINTS 

Recent Texas sports scores:
Sunday 8/16
> MLB: Seattle 3, Houston 2
> MLB: Oakland 5, Texas 2
> MLS: Dallas 2, Austin 1
Monday 8/17
> WNBA: Golden State 78, Dallas 70
Tuesday 8/18
> MLB: Texas 5, Washington 0
> MLB: LA Angels 3, Houston 1
Wednesday 8/19
> MLB: Houston 3, LA Angels 2
> MLB: Washington 6, Texas 0
> MLS: Austin 2, Seattle 1
> MLS: Houston 1, Vancouver 0
> MLS: Dallas 4, Salt Lake 3
Thursday 8/20
> MLB: LA Angels 18, Houston 3
> MLB: Texas 2, Washington 0
> WNBA: Dallas 91, Indiana 85
Friday 8/21
> MLB: Texas 2, LA Angels 1
> MLB: Houston 4, Oakland 0
Saturday 8/22
> MLB: Oakland 4, Houston 3
> MLB: LA Angels 3, Texas 0
> MLS: Austin 1, Philadelphia 1
> MLS: Vancouver 5, Dallas 0
> MLS: St. Louis 2, Houston 1

Today / tonight’s Texas sports schedule:
> 1:10pm: MLB: Oakland at Houston
> 1:35pm: MLB: LA Angels at Texas
> 3pm: WNBA: Seattle at Dallas

Tomorrow’s Texas sports schedule:
> 6:40pm: MLB: Texas at Chicago White Sox
> 9pm: WNBA: Dallas at Golden State

TEXAS SPORTS HEADLINES / LINKS

HOUSTON ASTROS: “Astros’ season-long struggles with Seattle keeping AL West a three-team race” HOU CHRON

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Golden: Sarkisian is banking on Texas football’s new offensive line to dominate” AAS

TEXAS FOOTBALL: “Trevor Goosby is out indefinitely with a knee injury. What’s next for Longhorns” AAS

TEXAS A&M MEN’S BASKETBALL: “Former Texas basketball starting point guard Jordan Pope joins Texas A&M” AAS

NHL EXPANSION: “NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end” AP