MRT (free): Sharp Reflects on A&M Tenure // Senate Passes $8.5B School Funding Bill // House Passes THC Ban // Austin Commits to Cap-and-Stitch over I-35 // SAEN Endorses Pablos
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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THURSDAY || 5/22/2025 & FRIDAY || 5/23/2025
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TOP NEWS
"A&M Chancellor John Sharp reflects on legacy as he is set to retire: 'We ain't nobody's little brother anymore',” Houston Chronicle's Nicole Hensley and John Wayne Ferguson -- "Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp found dilapidated military buildings scattered among acres of cacti and weeds when he visited the flagship’s Riverside campus roughly a decade ago. His colleague called it a “s---hole” with potential, and the lifelong politician with a knack for cultivating ideas knew a good deal when he saw one.
So he took the A&M president to lunch at Whataburger and proposed a swap: a system office for the university's field in Bryan. The deal benefited both parties, and in 2019, Sharp reopened the space for the new "RELLIS" research facility. The hub for tech development hosts a combat testing center for the Army Futures Command and is the future site of at least four advanced nuclear reactors.
When Sharp retires next month, he says he will count the research center as one of his defining achievements from his 14 years at the head of the Texas A&M System. During that time, the network of 11 universities, eight state agencies and a health science center grew into one of the biggest public research and development arms in the country — and A&M supporters say Sharp cemented himself as one of the most transformative chancellors in the system’s history.
“A&M was lucky to have him at the moment in time when he came," Deputy Chancellor Billy Hamilton said. "He is one of the handful of truly unique leaders of the state."
Much has been written about John Sharp, his love for the Aggies and his personification of Texas. He speaks with a drawl and has an affinity for barbecue and the aforementioned iconic fast-food chain. He’s a storyteller who often lacks a filter. His friendship and onetime rivalry with former Gov. Rick Perry is well-documented for their beginning as college roommates. Some of Sharp’s escapades as a Texas A&M student are urban legend. You might have heard about the time he scraped crickets off the ground and stuffed them in his mouth to scare off a group of angry bikers.
It has all added to his prominence in the Texas Legislature, where he spent three decades as a Democratic staffer, state representative, state senator, railroad commissioner and comptroller. His outspokenness seemed to work in tandem with his reputation as an executor of big picture goals, and as someone who wasn’t afraid to cross the aisle to do it.
Sharp said his skills as a dealmaker proved useful during his time as chancellor. Despite a changing perception of higher education that sometimes placed faculty and administrators at odds with Republicans holding the purse-strings, Sharp is credited with ushering in a renaissance of funding for organizations across the Texas A&M System.
Research spending boomed, as did capital construction. He oversaw $12 billion in building projects, compared to $3 billion in the prior time frame. The investments deepened the system's commitment to rural areas, Sharp said, but they also pushed Texas A&M into bigger cities. The system now has a presence in Houston, at both the Texas Medical Center and NASA's Johnson Space Center.
For Sharp, there's pride in knowing that people view Texas A&M differently now.
"We ain't nobody's little brother anymore," he said." Hou Chron ($)
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#TXLEGE
“$8.5 billion school funding package passes Texas Senate” TTexas Tribune
“Low times for THC: Looming ban would ‘devastate’ multi-billion dollar Texas industry” DMN ($)
“Houston megadonor Dick Weekley and his group Texans for Lawsuit Reform are losing in the Legislature after 30 years of wins” Hou Chron ($)
“Texas passes measure to create a state crypto reserve as Bitcoin tops $105K” DMN ($)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Everything you need to know about Austin's plan to build parks over I-35 near downtown” AAS ($)
“Lina Hidalgo walks out of Harris County commissioners meeting over disagreement on World Cup plans” Houston Chronicle ($)
2025
Editorial: “Rolando Pablos is the best choice for mayor in San Antonio's runoff election” SAEN ($)
TEXANS IN DC
“Sen. Cornyn calls for investigation of organizations affiliated with alleged shooter” Jewish Insider
“Ted Cruz introduces bill incentivizing K-12 scholarships” Texas Tribune
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "Texas is about to ban THC products. Here’s what to know." TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Texas lawmakers push to regulate AI in government and the tech industry" TX TRIB
> HOU CHRON: "U.S. House backs plan to reimburse Texas up to $12B for border spending" HOU CHRON
> AAS: "Texas bill to ban the sale of 'puppy mill' dogs and cats is doomed, say supporters" AAS
> HOU CHRON: "Lina Hidalgo says tax hike may be needed as Harris County faces $270M deficit" HOU CHRON
> THE TEXAN: "Harris County Commissioners Commit to Pay Increase for Law Enforcement" THE TEXAN
> THE TEXAN: "Texas House Advances Bill Requiring Schools to Teach History and 'Atrocities' of Communism" THE TEXAN
> AAS: "Is THC in Texas going up in smoke? House OKs ban, averting showdown with Senate" AAS
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas House moves to ban consumable THC products, criminalize possession" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> AAS: "Down to the wire: Texas lawmakers OK bills on handgun licenses, cryptocurrency, AI abuses" AAS
> TPR: "Texas House aligns with Senate in passing total ban on THC products" TPR
> HOU CHRON: "Fraud and mismanagement cost Houston Housing Authority millions of dollars, report reveals" HOU CHRON
> THE TEXAN: "U.S. House Passes ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ With $12 Billion Texas Border Wall Reimbursement" THE TEXAN
> THE TEXAN: "THC Product Ban Passes Texas House" THE TEXAN
> KXAN: "KXAN’s hourlong ‘Undocumented’ special highlights investigative team’s deportation-related discoveries" KXAN
> EP TIMES: "What's in Trump's 'big beautiful bill?' Details on tax cuts, social security, Medicaid" EP TIMES
> SAEN: "Houston Chronicle hires Julián Aguilar as its next immigration reporter" SAEN
> EP TIMES: "El Paso leaders file lawsuit against Texas AG for demands to turn over private information" EP TIMES
> SAEN: "Chip Roy adds key vote for Trump's new tax bill, backing off opposition" SAEN
> SAEN: "Alert: Supreme Court declines to reinstate independent agency board members fired by President Donald Trump" SAEN
> TPR: "City of San Antonio to step up public outreach on Project Marvel" TPR
> AAS: "House passes Trump's 'big beautiful bill.' When does no tax on overtime start in Texas?" AAS
> THE TEXAN: "Gina Ortiz Jones, Rolando Pablos Vie for San Antonio Mayor" THE TEXAN
> FWST: "Doctor lied to patients about them having diseases to make $28M in Texas, feds say" FWST
> HOU CHRON: "About 60 HISD custodial, maintenance workers being cut, union leader says" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Baylor College of Medicine ends homeless health partnership for 6,500 patients" HOU CHRON
> AAS: "NOAA predicts active 2025 hurricane season with up to 19 storms. What it means for Texas" AAS
> AAS: "'Depraved' Texas doctor convicted of $325M healthcare fraud bought jet, luxury properties" AAS
> EP TIMES: "Vacant offices, strip malls may get new life as housing in Texas’ largest cities" EP TIMES
> KXAN: "Texas woman who won $83.5 million jackpot still not paid 3 months later, sues Texas Lottery Commission" KXAN
> SA REPORT: "Texas bill clarifying when doctors can perform life-saving abortions wins early House vote" SA REPORT
> THE TEXAN: "'Life of the Mother Act' Clarifying Texas Abortion Law Exceptions Passes House" THE TEXAN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Texas House greenlights bipartisan bill clarifying when doctors can perform ‘life-saving’ abortions" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> THE TEXAN: "Texas Legislature Strikes $8.5 Billion Deal on School Finance and Teacher Pay Raises" THE TEXAN
> AAS: "After passing the Texas House, fentanyl test strip bill languishes in Senate" AAS
> AAS: "Down to the wire: Texas lawmakers OK bills on handgun licenses, cryptocurrency, AI abuses" AAS
> THE TEXAN: "Number of 'Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn' Grows to 58" THE TEXAN
> AAS: "After outcry, Texas Republicans tweak $8.5B school funding deal" AAS
> AAS: "‘Uvalde Strong Act’ passes Texas Senate amid calls for bolder action" AAS
> AAS: "Texas replacing paper license plates with metal ones. See when new law goes into effect" AAS
> HOU CHRON: "Sylvester Turner’s district is being punished for his death — and losing out on $12 million" HOU CHRON
> DMN: "Fairview residents challenge council’s approval of LDS temple permit" DMN
> KXAN: "Texas restaurants cheer changes to permits, fees from new law" KXAN
> AAS: "Texas House gives initial OK to bill clarifying medical exceptions in state abortion ban" AAS
> SA REPORT: "Voter guide: Everything to know about San Antonio’s 2025 election" SA REPORT
> TX TRIB: "As measles outbreak continues, new parents in Lubbock face unexpected fears" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "More Texas children are getting vaccinated early against measles" TX TRIB
> DMN: "It’s Second-Guessing Season for Texas Rangers after another late-game collapse" DMN
> SAEN: "Defense Department formally accepts super-luxury 747 from Qatar for Trump" SAEN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Bitcoin reserve, new business fee relief: 5 legislative updates from Austin-area lawmakers" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> SAEN: "City to fold parks, airport police into San Antonio Police Department" SAEN
> HOU CHRON: "George Coulam, controversial founder of Texas Renaissance Festival, found dead in Grimes County" HOU CHRON
> SA REPORT: "Bexar County Judge lines up his funding priorities while remaining loyal to Spurs" SA REPORT
> DMN: "UTD scientists solve 100-year-old mystery behind diabetic nerve damage" DMN
> DMN: "Highland Park parent appealing UIL decision that led to soccer team forfeiting state title" DMN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "Bastrop County hunger rises; pantry asks for help" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> FWST: "Teen texts friend for help during sexual assault, OR officials say. Man convicted" FWST
> HOU CHRON: "Another injury for Astros? Starter Ronel Blanco is evaluated for elbow soreness" HOU CHRON
> FWST: "Man hit, killed by train while trying to rescue his dog in Fort Worth: police" FWST
> FWST: "5 steps businesses should take now to meet Europe’s new accessibility rules" FWST
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports scores:
Wed
> MLB: New York Yankees 1, Texas 0
> MLB: New York Yankees 4, Texas 3
> WNBA: Minnesota 85, Dallas 81
> NHL: Dallas 6, Edmonton 0 (1-0)
Thurs
> MLB: Houston 9, Arizona 2
Fri
> MLB: Seattle 5, Houston 3
> NHL: Edmonton 3, Dallas 0 (1-1)
This weekend's Texas sports schedule:
Sat
> 1pm: WNBA: Dallas at Atlanta
> 1:10pm: MLB: Texas at Chicago (WS)
> 1:10pm: MLB: Seattle at Houston
> 3pm: MLS: Dallas at Seattle
> 7:30pm: Austin at Minnesota (Apple TV)
> 9:30pm: Houston at San Jose (Apple TV)
Sun
> 12:10pm: MLB: Texas at Chicago (WS)
> 1210pm: MLB: Seattle at Houston
> 1pm: NHL: Dallas at Edmonton (1-1) (ABC)
TEXAS RANGERS: “As Marcus Semien, Adolis García flounder, Rangers’ offense approaches historic futility” DMN ($)
TEXAS SOFTBALL: “Texas softball: 'Gutsy' Teagan Kavan save Longhorns in Super Regional win to force Game 3” AAS ($)
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN BASEBALL: “Houston Christian wins Southland Conference tournament to earn first NCAA baseball bid since 2015” Hou Chron ($)
TEXAS TECH BASEBALL: "Canady dominates on mound, Texas Tech scores 2 unearned runs to edge Florida State, make first WCWS" AP
TEXAS A&M BASEBALL: “Texas A&M's Jace LaViolette drives in two runs a day after surgery for a broken hand, but Aggies fall" Hou Chron ($)
HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL: "UH, Kelvin Sampson agree to record-breaking deal on heels of NCAA tourney run" Hou Chron ($)