Dallas, TX
Coming together to support the Dallas bond package
This 2024 Dallas bond package is the culmination of more than a year of work and tens of thousands of hours of discussion on critical infrastructure that will strengthen our entire city.
The $1.25 billion bond package divided into 10 bond propositions now in front of voters is the result of input from 90 volunteers who diligently served on the Community Bond Task Force and task force subcommittees, dedicated city staff and hundreds of Dallas residents who took time to share their thoughts on what our communities need.
We believe voters should support this package because each of the 10 propositions will provide equitable solutions to infrastructure needs that will lead to an increased quality of life across our entire city — a big reason why The Dallas Morning News has already recommended voting “yes” on all 10 bond propositions. But for those who might still be on the fence, here are a few more reasons you should cast your vote in support of each of the propositions in the bond package.
First, this bond package is about funding infrastructure basics. About half of the total bond amount will be used to improve our streets and sidewalks. That means fewer potholes and smoother commutes and improved walkability across the entire city. In addition, these bonds will fund investment in critical flood protection and storm drainage systems that will literally keep neighborhoods above water, saving property and people’s lives.
This bond package will also be an investment in green infrastructure and will provide for a historic, equitable investment in parks, trails and green spaces. With voter approval, $345 million will be directed to parks and trails projects across the city, helping more residents share in the vision of having a neighborhood green space within a 10-minute walk of home. These dollars will also support transformational green projects like the Five Mile Creek Greenbelt, which will add 17 miles of trails and three signature parks to some of Dallas’ most historically underserved communities. Voter support of this investment will allow residents access to the many health and wellness benefits that close-to-home parks access can provide, and it’s why The Dallas Morning News said the parks proposition was “a generational investment in our health.”
Other critical projects that stand to benefit from the passage of the bond include the construction of a Law Enforcement Training Center at UNT Dallas that will help Dallas attract the best officers and train them in 21st century police strategies. Bond funds will help maintain our city-owned art and culture facilities, protecting valuable assets and historic works while allowing our arts community to entertain residents and draw visitors from around the world. The funds will allow for affordable housing infrastructure that will support workforce development, economic growth and stronger communities.
This broad array of projects is worthy of voter support on their own. But what’s critical to note is that supporting the bond package will allow for multiple opportunities to access matching funds from federal and philanthropic grants and private donations that will substantially magnify the scope and impact of the projects. The Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Law Enforcement Training Center at UNT Dallas are just a few examples of public-private partnerships where bond approval will trigger access to private funding that is three, four or even five times greater than the bond allocation. Approval of the bond package is key to tapping into these additional investment dollars that will support our world-class facilities and amenities.
In addition, the bond program is a great way to invest in our city infrastructure without raising taxes. These general obligation bonds provide Dallas with the needed tool to fund capital improvements that cannot otherwise be funded from the city’s annual operations budget. Voting for the bond will authorize the city to issue bonds up to the amount indicated for each proposition to fund capital improvement without an increase to the current tax rate. This level of investment in maintaining and improving our infrastructure is also key to attracting residents and economic growth.
Election Day is Saturday, May 4. Please join with neighbors across our city to support stronger basics and better quality of life for all of Dallas. Vote “yes” on all 10 propositions — let’s do this together, for Dallas.
Arun Agarwal is the CEO of Nextt, a Dallas-based textile company, president of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board and served as chair of the Community Bond Task Force. Ambassador Jeanne Johnson Phillips is an American businesswoman and diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development from 2001 to 2003. She also serves as conveying co-chair of the 2024 Dallas Bond Campaign. Tim Powers serves as senior counsel at the Dallas office of Haynes and Boone. He also serves as conveying co-chair of 2024 Dallas Bond Campaign.
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
The Dallas Cowboys boasted one of the best offenses in the NFL this past season, but it wasn’t enough to get them into the playoffs. Even with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams, they were unable to make up for their porous defense, finishing the season 7-9-1.
This offseason, Dallas was on a mission to fix that defense. Jerry Jones vowed he would put in the work and while they might not have an elite unit, they definitely look improved on paper.
With the biggest moves this offseason done, let’s rank the position groups for the Cowboys, which begins with the most obvious strength.
Wide Receiver
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are arguably the best duo in the game, which makes this the Cowboys’ strongest position on its own. Throw in Ryan Flournoy, who had a breakout season in 2025, and it looks even better.
Dallas has depth beyond this as well, with KaVontae Turpin, who had 396 yards receiving last year, as their WR4. Even rookie seventh-round pick Anthony Smith has some upside.
Safety
Rookie Caleb Downs immediately makes this group better, but he’s not the only addition. The Cowboys also signed Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke in free agency. For good measure, they also have Malik Hooker as they turned a perennial weakness into a strength this offseason.
Quarterback
Dak Prescott carries this group, especially after another spectacular season. Behind Prescott, however, the Cowboys are still strong with Joe Milton III and Sam Howell. Either player could wind up as the QB2 and could keep the offense going in the short-term.
Defensive Line
Defensive tackle has been a weakness for years, but Jones decided that had to change. Entering 2026, Dallas has Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otitto Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, and rookie LT Overton, which is a solid group.
Offensive Line
The interior of the Dallas offensive line could make this one of the best groups overall with Cooper Beebe, Tyler Smith, and Tyler Guyton all standing out at their respective positions.
The problem is that offensive tackle has some concerns. Tyler Guyton hasn’t lived up to his draft status and Terence Steele hasn’t played up to his contract. Drew Shelton could eventually take over for one, but the rookie needs time to develop.
EDGE
There’s not an All-Pro on the edge like there was when Micah Parsons was in Dallas, but the group is much deeper this season. Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Malachi Lawrence, and James Houston can all have big roles this season. They’re even going to try Marist Liufau on the edge, but the depth might be an issue for him.
Tight End
Jake Ferguson had eight touchdowns in 2025, which was huge. The problem is that he struggled with ball security, hardly had any yards after the catch, and finished with an average of just 7.3 yards per reception.
Luke Schoonmaker has been the TE2, but he could be pushed by Brevyn Spann-Ford. Undrafted free agent Michael Trigg is a player to watch, but he’s unlikely to produce much as a rookie.
Cornerback
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker is a fan of Shavon Revel, and if he can turn him into a starter, that would be huge for this position.
Right now, there are far too many questions, with the durability of DaRon Bland being chief among them.
Entering OTAs, there’s a chance free agent pickup Cobie Durant could be their best option at cornerback. He’s a solid addition, but they need someone else to step up as well.
Linebacker
We recently noted that linebacker remains the greatest need on this team. They did a great job by trading for Dee Winters and rookie Jaishawn Barham could wind up being a great fit.
That said, they need DeMarvion Overshown to stay healthy for this group to succeed. If he misses time, their lack of depth will hurt them.
Running Back
Linebacker might be the primary need, but running back comes in last here due to the concerns behind Javonte Williams.
There’s no denying that Williams is a stud. He broke out in 2025 with 1,201 yards but the depth is questionable. If second-year back Jaydon Blue improves, this position group would climb the ranks in a hurry. For now, however, there are too many question marks.
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Morton started 15 games in 1972 for an injured Staubach, who eventually returned in the playoffs. The Cowboys decided to trade Morton in 1974 to the Giants, who sent back a first-round pick, which turned out to be the No. 2 overall pick in 1975. The Cowboys used that selection to take Randy White, a 10-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer.
Ironically enough, White’s best game was likely Super Bowl XII, when he was named Co-MVP with Harvey Martin. The Cowboys’ Doomsday defense dominated the Broncos, who were quarterbacked by Morton.
Overall, Morton played for the Cowboys, Giants and Broncos before officially retiring at the end of the 1982 season.
His career ended with 27,908 passing yards, ranking him 71st in NFL history, just ahead of Hall of Famer Joe Namath (27,663).
With the official NFL schedule coming this week, the Dallas Cowboys have revealed when, where and against who their Week 1 contest will be.
The Cowboys announced that they will square off against the New York Giants on the road in Week 1, with the game set for Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7:20 p.m. CT. So, it’s prime time for the Cowboys to start the season.
This is the second game we know about for the Cowboys this year. Of course, we know they will be playing on Thanksgiving, also.
The official schedule will drop on May 14, the NFL announced last week. Schedules for all 32 teams will be revealed on ESPN and the NFL Network, but each team will unveil its own schedule on social media, also.
The Cowboys were always likely to play a road game in Week 1 because of an Usher and Chris Brown concert taking place at AT&T Stadium that week.
Dallas will also be impacted by an Ed Sheeran concert in Week 7, so that’s another potential road game. They could also play on Monday or Thursday that week, or have a bye.
Cowboys’ strength of schedule
According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Cowboys are not going to have an easy road to make the postseason.
The Cowboys have the fourth-toughest schedule in the NFL going into the 2026 season, with only the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers having tougher slates.
Dallas’ schedule is also the third-toughest in the NFC, and the most difficult in the NFC East.
Sharp does his strength of schedule rankings based on win totals from Vegas oddsmakers rather than utilizing the previous season’s records because that metric doesn’t factor in offseason changes.
The Cowboys will play home games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.
On the road, Dallas will square off against the Giants, Eagles, Commanders, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
Of those opponents, seven of them made the postseason in 2025, a list that includes the Jaguars, 49ers, Eagles, Texans, Rams, Seahawks and Packers.
All of those teams should be as good in 2026, and teams like the Colts, Titans, Ravens, Bucs, Giants and Commanders have a very real chance to be improved as well.
It won’t be an easy road for Dallas to get back to the playoffs in 2026, but there’s at least hope following a defensive overhaul.
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