Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Robert S. Howden as Texas secretary of state, succeeding Jane Nelson and placing a longtime Republican policy adviser in charge of the state’s elections less than four months before the 2026 midterm elections.
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have directed most Texas state agencies and public universities to reduce their baseline funding requests by 3% as the state begins preparing its 2028–29 budget.
Austin is one step closer to launching its Project Connect light rail system after the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) approved a contract Wednesday with Stadler to supply 21 trains for the new line.
Austin officials are considering lowering Lake Austin by about 10 feet this fall, marking the lake’s first drawdown since 2017.
Thousands of Texas students as young as 10 were arrested or issued criminal citations at school in recent years, according to a Texas Observer investigation that raises concerns about the use of the juvenile justice system to address routine student misconduct.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Austin on Tuesday to record an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” according to CBS News.
Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax will present a proposed $6.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 on Thursday, outlining a plan to address a projected $26 million budget shortfall while maintaining funding for public safety, utilities and other city services.
Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax proposed a $6.6 billion budget Friday that reduces funding for some social services and city programs while increasing spending on public safety, housing and other priorities as the city works to balance its finances for the next fiscal year.
A federal judge ordered the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to transfer jail detainees found incompetent to stand trial to state mental health facilities within 21 days, ruling that longer delays violate their constitutional rights.
A Texas Senate committee held a hearing Wednesday at the Texas Capitol to examine the practice of Texas residents serving as surrogates for intended parents from other countries, as lawmakers consider possible legislation ahead of the 2027 legislative session.