1. Legislative special session kicks off Tuesday
The Texas Legislature will begin its special session Tuesday. Gov. Greg Abbott has outlined his top 20 priorities heading into the special session, some of which have received criticism from the Plano ISD school board.
In a series of position statements adopted by the school board July 12, trustees expressed their disapproval of school voucher programs and a proposed “bathroom bill.”
“Such bills serve in the erosion of local control of school districts who know best the students and the community,” the document read.
The governor’s full list of priorities is available here.
2. First mural is added to downtown Plano
North Texas-based artist Will Heron has begun painting the first mural of the Downtown Mural Project this week in the Downtown Plano Arts District. Heron’s mural will be split into five columns—each of which will represent something from Plano’s history—and is one of the murals funded by a grant from the Plano Heritage Commission, according to a news release.
“The Downtown Mural Project perfectly blends together the historic aspect of Downtown Plano with its recent designation as our city’s arts district,” Plano Heritage Commission Chair Harold Sickler said in a news release. “The murals will be a beautiful addition to the area as well as an exciting way to commemorate Plano’s rich history.”
Heron's mural is located at the west-facing wall of Georgia’s Farmers’ Market in downtown Plano.
3. Tollway authority seeks public input on 26-mile-long project
The North Texas Tollway Authority will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on July 25 regarding a 26-mile-long construction proposal on Sam Rayburn Tollway, according to a news release. The hearing will take place at Taylor Elementary School, 9865 Gillespie Drive.
The proposed widening construction would occur in the existing median between eastbound and westbound SRT, according to the release, and would run through Collin, Dallas and Denton counties.
“The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comment on the proposed project,” the release read.
