Austin, TX
Texas comptroller race could shape new school voucher program
AUSTIN, Texas — In 2026, Texans will decide who will be the next state comptroller, known as the chief financial officer for the Lone Star State.
This election cycle, some experts are saying the stakes are higher, with the comptroller tasked with overseeing the state’s new school voucher program that starts next fall.
The state legislature passed the $1 billion program this year, allowing families to apply to receive thousands of dollars to move to a private school.
“It’s a position that’s becoming increasingly important,” said Mark P. Jones, political science professor at Rice University. “The education savings account program, which is $1 billion and is politically very important to Gov. Abbott, will be managed by the comptroller.”
The job is currently held by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, who was appointed by Abbott this year to fill the position left open by Glenn Hegar. Hancock is vying to keep the role.
“We’re offering the largest educational freedom accounts in the state of Texas that we’ve ever seen in the nation,” Hancock told CBS Austin earlier this month.
ALSO| State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt launches bid for Texas Comptroller
Hancock is overseeing the launch of the school voucher program, setting its rules, hiring outside companies, and answering to the public.
He is in the race with other Republicans, like former State Senator Don Huffines.
“I’ve always fought to empower parents and students with education freedom and real competition, because competition lowers costs and raises the quality of everything it touches,” Huffines said in a statement Friday. “It works in every industry, and it is guaranteed to fix failing government schools. When I am Comptroller, Texas will have the most grand education freedom program in the world.”
Austin-area Democratic State Senator Sarah Eckhardt also launched her campaign for the office earlier this month.
“I think that voters have lost trust that we have a government that’s accountable to them. That we have a government that will show up when we need them and get out of our way when we don’t need it,” she said after filing to run.
The role has already been in the headlines this month.
Hancock requested an opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton about whether or not schools linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) should be disqualified from the program, citing Gov. Abbott’s recent order declaring CAIR a “foreign terrorist organization.”
What some experts are calling a “sleeper race” may end up being one of the most impactful.
The Texas Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd.
Austin, TX
Final Public Input Meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update Next Week
The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition is hosting a last round of public input meetings on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is updated every 10 years.
The City of Austin released a press release about the final two meetings on Thursday. According to the release, the meetings are intended to provide an overview of the project, hear from subject matter experts, and capture public comments for incorporation into the plan.
Meeting Schedule
April 8, 6-8 p.m.; Del Valle Early College High School Cafeteria, 4715 Ross Rd.
April 9, 6-8 p.m.; St. Luke’s on the Lake Episcopal Church; 5600 RR 620 N.
The coalition asks that residents RSVP to the meetings online and take this public survey to provide information to the coalition as it updates the plan. Anyone may take the survey, but the coalition asks individuals who plan to attend one of the sessions to fill it out beforehand.
The Community Wildfire Protection Plan identifies areas of wildfire risk, prioritizes investments for mitigation funding, and provides recommendations for hazardous fuels reduction and homeowner risk reduction practices.
Additionally, the plan offers policymakers guidance on wildfire response capabilities and evacuation planning frameworks. The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition updates the plan every decade to ensure it reflects current risk conditions, data, and community priorities.
Members of the coalition include the City of Austin, Austin 3-1-1, Austin Water, Austin Fire Department’s Wildfire Division, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Austin Energy, the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management division, and more.
Learn more about the coalition at its website here. And stay updated on the CWPP process as it unfolds here.
Austin, TX
Tommy’s Travel Forecast: A wet Easter weekend
AUSTIN (KXAN) — You know the saying: ‘April showers bring May flowers’. A wetter-than-normal pattern is likely in Texas through early April, hopefully making a dent in our extreme drought, and lowering pollen totals!
It’s not just the Lone Star State; several storm systems will bring mountain snow, heavy rain, and the potential for severe weather across the country into the upcoming weekend, Saturday, April 4 through 5.
Severe Weather
The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of the Southern Plains, Great Plains, and Midwest for potential severe weather on Friday. There is a level 3/5 (Enhanced) risk for cities such as St. Joseph, Ottumwa, Kirksville, Moberly, and Indianola.
There is a growing concern for large hail, damaging winds, and an isolated tornado in the highlighted area.
There is a level 2/5 (Slight) risk for cities such as Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Tulsa, Des Moines, and Overland Park on Friday.
Texas Travel
Traveling in Texas this weekend for Easter Sunday? Bring an umbrella and a rain jacket! Scattered thunderstorms, including a few strong-to-severe storms, are possible.
A strong cold front arrives on Saturday afternoon, bringing widespread rain chances. There is a level 1/5 (Marginal) risk for cities such as Houston, Shreveport, Jackson, Cleveland, and Buffalo.
High temperatures on Sunday will be cooler than normal. In Austin, we’ll likely remain in the 60s.
Wet Pattern
The Climate Prediction Center has high confidence in a wetter-than-normal pattern continuing through mid-April.

A few cold shots of late winter air will cool down parts of the Midwest and Northeast in the next week, with some late-season snow possible. Most of the country is trending warmer-than-normal.
Austin, TX
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