Appointments
Appointments for December 8, 2025
Appointed to the Texas Crime Stoppers Council for a term to expire September 1, 2029, Charles P. "Perry" Gilmore III, Ph.D. of Amarillo, Texas (Mr. Gilmore III Ph.D. is being reappointed).
Appointed to the Texas Crime Stoppers Council for a term to expire September 1, 2029, Sergeant Jeffrey P. Jordan of Kyle, Texas (replacing Carlo G. Hernandez whose term expired).
Appointments for December 12, 2025
Appointed to the University of Houston Board of Regents for a term to expire August 31, 2029, Bryan F. Clark of Houston, Texas (replacing Tammy Denton Murphy whose term expired).
Appointed to the University of Houston Board of Regents for a term to expire August 31, 2031, Guadalupe "Alonzo" Cantu of McAllen, Texas (Mr. Cantu is being reappointed).
Appointed to the University of Houston Board of Regents for a term to expire August 31, 2031, Thomas A. "Tommy" Lucas Jr. O.D. of Killeen, Texas (replacing John A. McCall whose term expired).
Appointed to the University of Houston Board of Regents for a term to expire August 31, 2031, Lyden B. Rose, Sr. of Houston, Texas (replacing Durga D. Agrawal, Ph.D. whose term expired).
Appointment for December 17, 2025
Appointed to be the Texas State Historian for a term to expire December 17, 2027, Richard B. "Rick" McCaslin Ph.D. of Denton, Texas (replacing Monte L. Monroe, Ph.D. of Lubbock whose term expired).
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202504686
Budget Execution Order
I am in receipt of the Legislative Budget Board's proposal dated December 15, 2025. In the proposal, you propose a budget execution order, pursuant to Section 317.002 of the Texas Government Code, and recommend the suspension of appropriation authority for certain transactions at Texas Southern University, as shown below.
Pursuant to Section 317.005(b) of the Government Code, I am ratifying the proposal. The Texas State Auditor identified deficiencies in oversight, contracting, processes and reporting, totaling hundreds of millions in state funds. Texans deserve to know that our institutions of higher education are operating as responsible stewards of state funds.
Therefore, it is ordered that:
• All appropriation authority provided to Texas Southern University during the 2026-2027 state fiscal biennium relating to contracts or contract extensions signed after the effective date of this order is suspended effective immediately;
• All appropriation authority to Texas Southern University is limited to existing operational commitments, including salaries and benefits, existing debt service, scholarships, utilities, and general operational costs;
• No new contracts or contract extensions may be signed until the legislature has reviewed the final report of the State Auditor and the concluded investigation by the Texas Rangers, and any needed correctional issues are resolved; and
• Nothing in this order is intended to preclude the ongoing education services of the institution and this order does not apply to existing operational commitments such as contracts necessary to support and maintain educational and general activities; perform routine operations regarding utilities, facilities, and equipment; or respond to emergencies.
I hereby certify that this order has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within my authority.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 15, 2025.
Greg Abbott, Governor
TRD-202504675