Houston has made significant strides to improve its resilience as a coastal city over the past two decades. Federal, state and local leaders have prioritized efforts to strengthen flood mitigation, enhance power reliability and secure the region’s water supply.  Each weather event has brought important lessons, prompting investments and solutions to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.  In the most recent legislative session, Texas lawmakers secured over $361 million for the Houston region to bolster water supply and advance ongoing flood mitigation projects. Targeted Funding The Legislature used nearly $1 billion in surplus dollars to secure dedicated funding for water projects around the state. The funding was included in the Supplemental Budget Bill (House Bill 500), making the dollars immediately available. The projects that receive that funding are highlighted in the General Appropriations Act and include significant funding for highlighted projects, including: $100 million for the Lynchburg Pump Station; the city had requested $177 million from the state $60 million for the Lake Livingston Dam Improvement $54 million for Cypress Ditch Regional Flood Mitigation Projects in Bellaire Click here to download the one-pager highlighting all the Houston-area resilience projects funded by lawmakers this session. Downstream Dollars Another significant change made by lawmakers this session was to make flood prevention projects eligible to receive state dollars from the Texas Water Fund. When it was initially created in 2023, the Texas Water Fund was targeted at developing new supply and addressing infrastructure. This session, under Senate Bill 7, the state will now be able to transfer available dollars from the Texas Water Fund to the Flood Infrastructure Fund for mitigation projects, like those highlighted above. This presents a significant opportunity to ensure the state maximizes its use of available funds to control how water is brought to Texans and how flooding is managed during major weather events. Dig Deeper Learn more about local victories highlighted by the City of Houston Learn why infrastructure is everyone’s business when it comes to building a resilient Houston The Budget Explorer Tool is now updated with the final version of the two-year spending bill. Click here to explore water funding Click here to explore education funding Click here to explore the 2026-27 state budget toplines   For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter. 

Houston is one of the nation’s biggest hubs for young professionals, thanks to strong job growth and an affordable cost of living. Between 2020 and 2024, the region added an estimated 240,000 new jobs, part of a broader economic boom across Texas. Now, a new law aims to build on that momentum by expanding access to workforce training and education programs. Senate Bill 1786 (SB 1786) was signed into law on May 27 and takes immediate effect to remove barriers for Texans seeking to enroll in local community and junior college programs. Additional provisions, including regional job demand studies and data analysis, will take effect on September 1. Free Courses for Disadvantaged StudentsSB 1786 expands free dual credit courses for economically disadvantaged students in grades 9–12, helping more Texans earn college credit before graduation. The law also addresses delays in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s rulemaking for financial aid, speeding up access to grants and loans. It improves coordination across state and federal programs, including Jobs and Education for Texans (JET), P-TECH early college high schools, and TRUE reskilling programs. These changes will begin with the 2025–26 school year. Aligning Funding with Workforce Needs SB 1786 builds on the 2023 overhaul of the state’s community college finance system by tying funding to student outcomes, specifically: Earning degrees or industry-recognized credentials that lead to well-paying jobs Successfully transferring to four-year universities Completing targeted dual credit coursework Supporting  Business Growth and Regional Competitiveness By strengthening access to high-value credentials and aligning education funding with workforce outcomes, SB 1786 reinforces the region’s position as a destination for business investment and expansion. These reforms help ensure Houston has a pipeline of skilled talent ready to meet the needs of employers in high-growth sectors such as energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and technology. As the Partnership works to attract companies and jobs to the region, these policies send a strong signal that Houston is preparing its people for the careers of tomorrow. The law also strengthens the definition of a “credential of value” as one that helps a student earn more than a high school graduate and justifies the cost of their education. Credentials in high-demand sectors, such as healthcare and education, may also qualify. These updates will take effect in the 2027–28 school year. Workforce-Driven Reform The goal of SB 1786 is to reduce redundancy, maximize impact, and ensure postsecondary programs are aligned with the needs of Texas employers. By supporting this legislation, Houston’s business community is helping to sustain a robust talent pipeline for years to come.