Comptroller’s Regional Economic Reports 2024 Edition
The 2024 edition of the Comptroller’s Texas Regional Reports is now available online. The Texas Regional Reports provide an overview of population, demographics, income, jobs, wages, infrastructure, health care access and education trends across the Comptroller’s 12 economic regions. The Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division compiles the regional […]
TCSB Removes Application Submission Limitation
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has removed the Texas Clean School Bus Program application submission limitation of five replacement or retrofit activities per applicant. Applicants may now submit additional applications exceeding the original maximum number of five activities.
HGB Severe Area Attainment Demonstration SIP Revision
On April 24, 2024, the commission adopted the HGB Severe Area AD SIP Revision for the 2008 Eight-Hour Ozone NAAQS (Non-Rule Project No. 2023-110-SIP-NR). The SIP revision includes a photochemical modeling analysis, a weight of evidence analysis, a reasonably available control technology analysis, a reasonably available control measures analysis, motor […]
DFW Severe Area Attainment Demonstration SIP Revision
On April 24, 2024, the Texas […]
Bexar County Moderate Area RACT SIP Revision
On April 24, 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality adopted the Bexar County 2015 Eight-Hour Ozone Standard Moderate Nonattainment Area RACT SIP Revision (Non-Rule Project No. 2023-132-SIP-NR).
April State Board of Education Meeting Spotlights CTE
At the April 9–12 meeting of the State Board of Education, Commissioner Morath highlighted extensive changes affecting Career and Technical Education accountability and funding. The SBOE also heard a presentation on the TEKS revisions needed for CTE courses and voted to give final approval to the state CTE plan.
In his […]
Attachments
Edmentum Launches Partnership with America Succeeds to Enhance Workforce Skills
Durable skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity are in high demand by colleges, employers, and the military. Now, the most essential durable skills identified by America Succeeds, an educational policy organization, are integrated within the extensive library of middle and high school Career and Technical Education courses offered […]
SBOE Approves New Teacher Preparation Standards
At their April 12 meeting, the State Board of Education approved a number of new standards adopted by the State Board for Educator Certification for teacher preparation. Previously, the SBOE and SBEC have discussed whether to solely use a Texas-specific teacher assessment system, Texas edTPA, instead of the current Pedagogy […]
PFAS Liability Protection Bill Introduced
Last week Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez (D-WA) introduced the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act (H.R. 7944), a bill that would exempt water utilities from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) with respect to releases of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances […]
Upcoming Interim Legislative Meetings
Upcoming House Committee Meetings
- Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies, Select – 4/29/2024
Time: 10:00 AM, Location: E2.026 - Protecting Texas LNG Exports, Select – 5/2/2024
Time: 9:00 AM, Location: Port Arthur, TX
Spotlight on Energy Senate Interim Charges
Business and Commerce Committee
- Electricity Market Design: Assess state efforts to provide incentives for new thermal generation. Review and report on the state of the electricity market in Texas and issues impacting the reliability and resiliency of the Texas electric grid. Consider rulemaking related to wholesale market design, including the […]
Spotlight on Public Education Senate Interim Charges
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has issued the first set of interim charges and out of the 57 charges, several impacted public education either directly or indirectly. Several have been spotlighted below. Patrick concluded his announcement noting the Senate will be ready to hit the ground running at the start of […]
Spotlight on Health Care Senate Interim Charges
See below for a spotlight on health care interim charges from Lt. Gov. Patrick’s first set of charges issued to the Texas Senate. Committees are directed to submit their reports with specific findings and policy recommendations before December 1, 2024.
Finance Committee
- Mental Health Services and Inpatient Facilities: Monitor the […]
First Day of Early Voting for May 4 Local Elections
Early voting for the Sunday, May 4, Uniform Election Day for local elections begins today, Monday, April 22. Early voting will run through next week Tuesday, April 30. Items on the May 4 ballot will include local offices and bond propositions. The Statewide primary runoff elections are scheduled to be […]
Texas Economic Update
The following information has been compiled in order to create a more complete snapshot of the current economic status of Texas. The most recent labor market information for the state is from March 2024.
March 2024 Labor Market Information
- Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
- Total Non-Farm Employment: 14,115,700
- Jobs Change Over the […]
Chapter 313 Reporting: Deadline Change for Biennial Reports
Starting in 2024, all Biennial Progress reports will be submitted via an online form. Agreement holders or an authorized representative of each company will provide report form information to the school district by June 15, 2024. Contact our office for a copy of the report questions. The school districts must […]
TWC 2023-2025 Workforce Projections
The Texas Workforce Commission released their short-term employment projections for 2023-2025. The data can be separated out for specific regions of the state/statewide, occupation, and by industry. 2025 projected employment statewide for all industries is 15,863,625. Which would mean an addition of 688,464 jobs since 2023; a 4.54% change. The […]
TCEQ Releases Volkswagen Trust Beneficiary Mitigation Plan for Texas
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has released the Beneficiary Mitigation Plan for Texas describing the allocation of funds within Texas as part of the Volkswagen Clean Air Act settlements. Aspects of the plan have been changed in response to public comment, including funding allocation percentages, increasing […]
Upcoming TCEQ Environmental Trade Conference
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is hosting the Environmental Trade Fair & Conference May 14-15 at the Austin Convention Center. The conference will host numerous learning and development opportunities. The tentative agenda can be found here. Registration can be found here. For more details can be found […]
TCEQ Hosting Webinar on the Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program
The Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program is a voluntary statewide program that provides free sampling and analysis for lead in drinking water to Texas public schools and regulated child care facilities. The TCEQ is hosting a webinar about the program on May 1 from 5:30-6:15 PM. Discussions […]
Texas Water Fund RFA and Feedback Deadlines
The Texas Water Development Board is requesting applications leading to the possible award of a contract to develop and execute a statewide water awareness campaign in Texas with funds appropriated to the Texas Water Fund. To be eligible, an applicant must be a governmental entity or nonprofit organization with an […]
Commissioner of Education Rule Filings
The following Texas Administrative Code rule action was filed with the Texas Register for publication in the April 12, 2024 issue.
- Summary: The […]
Comptroller Announces Launch of Naloxone Distribution Grant Opportunity
Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today that the Opioid Abatement Fund Council’s Naloxone Distribution Grant Opportunity is open for applications. The grant opportunity invites eligible Texas governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and business entities to apply to implement a statewide program that will distribute the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone. This […]
Fifth Circuit Upholds Decision to Block Implementation of HB 900
On Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to reconsider their previous decision which blocked HB 900‘s requirements for booksellers to rate books for sexual content and prohibition of any materials deemed “sexually explicit” from Texas public schools.
Texas Register Spotlight – April 5, 12 & 19 Editions
Below is a spotlight on the adopted, proposed, and withdrawn rules from the April 5, April 12, and April 19 editions of the Texas Register.
Education
Texas Education Agency
Proposed
- Educational Programs 19 TAC 102 – TEA proposes this rule to implement HB 2209 88(R) by establishing the […]