No new taxes would be collected for the package that would give the state’s water department $1 billion to spend on projects like cleaning salty water, flood control and reservoirs.  And this fall, state lawmakers hope voters will approve $20 billion for water projects over the next two decades. If voters agree, Proposition 4, on the November ballot, will be the biggest state investment in water in Texas history.  view article

Private schools looking to educate participating students may also have a chance to apply to the program before the end of the year. view article

The federal government slashed a $15 million grant aimed at lowering maternal mortality rates in North Texas.  The $15 million grant was awarded to the North Texas Maternal Health Accelerator, a coalition created to apply for the funds.   The federal money was part of Health Care Rewards to Achieve Improved Outcomes, or HEROES, a program that began accepting proposals last year. The grant was requested through the Maternal Health Accelerator, led by the Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University and UT Southwestern, and managed by the Child Poverty Action Lab, which brought together five local health systems. view article

The agency recently canceled California’s grant program after giving it 60 days to comply with a June 20 order to remove the content. view article

With Texas legislators locked in a standoff over Republicans’ push to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade, time is running out for election officials to prepare for next year’s primary without major disruption.  Planning for the March primary election is already underway, but election officials say they can’t move forward without finalized maps — and the first key deadline, mandated by the state, is coming Sept. 9.  Democratic lawmakers have pledged to remain out of the state in protest of the Republicans’ proposed congressional map, making an agreement unlikely by the end of the special session Aug. 19. The proposed map could still change, and if Gov. Greg Abbott calls another special session, the debate could extend well into the fall.  Without knowing where the boundaries will be drawn, election officials won’t be able to finalize decisions about polling locations or the number of election workers needed. Voters whose polling location changes will also need to be informed and candidates who want a spot on the primary ballot also need the new boundary lines well in advance in order to familiarize themselves with the district and campaign. Candidates have to be residents of the district they seek to represent. view article

The Hechinger Report covers one topic: education. Sign up for our newsletters to have stories delivered to your inbox. Consider becoming a member to support our nonprofit journalism.  After decades of trying, conservatives this year succeeded in creating the first national school voucher program. view article

The office will facilitate grants for nuclear ventures. view article

Austin ISD will move forward with staffing cuts as it faces uncertainty over millions of dollars in federal education grants, district officials announced on Wednesday. In a letter to families, Superintendent Matias Segura said the decision comes after more than $9 million in federal grants were not released as expected on July 1. Segura said while the federal government eventually committed to releasing the funds on July 25, the disruption forced the district to prepare for future funding losses. view article

Longview ISD has become the latest school district subject to uncertainty regarding federal funding. Recently, the district learned almost $1 million in funds has been frozen, and they’re unsure if it will come back. Dr. Wayne Guidry, the district’s assistant superintendent of finance, said the school did not learn about the loss of funds from the federal government. view article

More than a hundred Austin Independent School District employees could lose their jobs as the White House reviews billions of dollars in federal education grants, effectively holding up the release of the funding as the summer nears an end. The district said it does not have alternative funding for these programs or the staff. view article

H-E-B notes its roots in Kerrville as it deploys its mobile kitchen and $5 million in aid.   Before H-E-B formally announced its rapid response to the torrential rain and flooding that hit the Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend, the grocer's jump to action was likely expected by many Texans who have witnessed H-E-B's disaster relief for years. This time, however, the grocer's efforts feel deeply personal since H-E-B traces its founding back to Kerrville, which experienced some of the most devastating flooding.  view article

Port Aransas schools are getting reimbursed for measures they took to get things up and running after Hurricane Harvey. The district on Monday announced it had received a grant for more than $1.2 million Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for things such as generators, air dryers, portables and security. Those items and more were needed in the aftermath of the Category 4 storm hit the area Aug. 25, 2017. view article

The Round Rock school district awarded $1.9 million in grants to 34 campuses to help foster innovation in schools through programs, models or initiatives that enrich learning. The grants range from $7,500 to $100,000 and support the district’s strategic goal of implementing, enhancing and reinforcing innovative teachings and learning models, according to a district news release. view article

Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN)announced today that its 2015 corporate and foundation giving to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education totals almost $6 million. Focused on collaborative strategies to improve student success and teaching effectiveness in STEM education, TI and the Texas Instruments Foundation designate "Power of STEM Education" grants to a variety of nonprofit partners and educators in targeted communities where the company has a major design or manufacturing presence. Special emphasis is given to programs that reach female and minority students who are underrepresented in science and engineering careers today. view article

A local school that has been underperforming for years, is shaking things up for the new school year with the help of a $4.8 million grant. Indian Spring Middle School is under a state mandate to turn things around and their principal is hoping this multi-million dollar grant will help them do just that. view article