Texas will receive more than $3.3 billion in federal money — the most of any state — to help expand broadband availability statewide, the Biden administration announced Monday.

The money will be distributed from the $42.45 billion in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program as part of President Joe Biden’s 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The funds aim to connect more than 8.5 million households and small businesses nationwide — and nearly 2.8 million of those households without broadband are in Texas. Each state received at least $107 million.

Separately, the BEAD program includes more than $14 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which makes broadband service more affordable for eligible households nationwide (and can be applied for now), $2 billion for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, and $2 billion for the Department of Agriculture’s Reconnect Program that provides loans and grants to build broadband infrastructure in eligible rural areas.

Texas and the other states can submit initial funding proposals from July 1 through Dec. 27. After the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approves proposals, which will occur on a rolling basis, states and territories will be able to access at least 20% of their funds.

The Texas Broadband Development Office will allocate the funds, which will go to where the state and federal broadband maps indicate service is needed. However, service providers and local officials have disputed the accuracy of those maps.

The Biden administration has compared its investment in broadband to the 1936 Rural Electrification Act, which offered low-cost loans to help bring electricity to rural areas.

“Whether it’s connecting people to the digital economy, manufacturing fiber optic cable in America, or creating good paying jobs building internet infrastructure in the states, the investments we’re announcing will increase our competitiveness and spur economic growth across the country for years to come,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement Monday.

The $3.3 billion federal allotment will boost investments made by Texas lawmakers during this year’s legislative session.

House Bill 9, filed by State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, allocates $1.5 billion to expand internet availability in the state. Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB 9 into law this month, and Texans will vote on the final approval of the funds in November.

“The Legislature had the forethought to put up $1.5 billion this session toward further broadband deployment and to leverage the full potential of the federal funding set aside for the state,” said A.J. Rodriguez, executive vice president of Texas 2036, a data-based think tank.

“This is one of many crucial down payments they made this session. It targets Texas’ rural communities and underserved pockets of our urban areas so that those Texans can fully participate in the 21st century digital economy.”

According to a statement, the Biden administration expects that all states and territories will now have the resources to connect everyone in the country by 2030.

Royse City, TX (April 17, 2023) – For its exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that improve the school and community, the Royse City High School Student Council has been recognized as a 2023 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Student Council (NatStuCo). The NatStuCo program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

The Royse City High School Student Council is one of only 53 high school campuses in the state of Texas to earn this honor and recognition. The RCHS Council serves the student body as the student government, event planning and implementation committee, and Senior Class overseers. They plan and implement everything from pep rallies to teacher appreciation, student recognition, community service, staff affirmations, and Senior Prom. They are very active in Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) District 3, one of the largest in the state of Texas and the district with the most active member schools. They network and collaborate with other successful councils to ensure that they maintain a high bar of excellence at all times as they build a student leadership network.

“Exceptional student councils are a hallmark of exceptional schools,” said NASSP CEO, Ronn Nozoe. “The Royse City High School Student Council has taken student leadership to the next level, creating a culture promoting scholarship and citizenship that resonates far beyond their team. I’m delighted to recognize their hard work with the National Gold Council of Excellence Award for their commitment to service, leadership and uplifting the voices of their peers.” “We are so proud of the positive impact RCHS Student Council continues to make on our school and community under the leadership of Leah Voth!” Royse City High School Kappa House Assistant Principal Tracey Myers, administrative mentor for the council, said.

“What an incredible opportunity it has been to be apart of this officer group. Our wonderful sponsors and committed team have made so many amazing things possible this year. I’m so proud of our hard work and the impact that we’ve been able to make on our campus culture,” Senior Officer Ally Romney said.

“This year has been such a smooth and productive year, and this is due in large part to the cohesiveness of the officer team and the council. These student leaders maintain such a positive outlook that it leads to consistent productivity and excellent outcomes for the events they plan. Our Homecoming Dance and Prom were the best we have ever had in my time at Royse City High School. It will be hard to let the seniors on the officer team, in my Student Leadership classes, and in the general council go, but I know that they are equipped and ready to go out and make such a positive difference in the world, and I could not be more proud of who they are and the amazing things they will accomplish. I also want to thank my friend and colleague Lisa Davis for being such a constant support and help with the council this year,” RCHS Advisor Leah Voth said.

A student council must meet a variety of criteria to earn the National Council of Excellence Award. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings and a democratic election process, the councils must have demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities such as leadership development and service to the school and community. Learn more about the award at www.natstuco.org/council-recognition/national-councils-of-excellence/

Submitted Press Release

In the novel Catch-22, fighter pilots desperately trying to escape the dogfights of World War II are stuck in a pickle: Only pilots deemed insane could be grounded, but the army considered it the sane choice to want to avoid flying missions, given their danger. The second an insane pilot asked to be grounded, therefore, he was considered well enough to keep flying missions.

Facing its own problem with no way out, a Dallas developer is suing to escape a real estate Catch-22.

Bahamas Laguna Azure, a development entity tied to Megatel Homes, is suing Royse City, a municipality northeast of Dallas, mostly in Rockwall County. The developer claims the city’s opaque, unwritten permitting process has made it impossible to develop its 542-acre property, causing more than a year of delays and added costs.

According to the lawsuit, the catch works like this:

The LLC’s most recent tax bills were paid by Richard Wygle, Megatel’s chief financial officer. The entity also routes back to 2101 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 700, an address it shares with Megatel. The firm and its attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.

Megatel claims that the city uses “unwritten customs, policies and practices” to handle requests from developers to hook up projects to its water and sewer lines.

The lawsuit alleges Royse City requires developers to meet with the city engineer and his or her staff, which then makes the final call without written standards or published policies. That gives the city “an absolute veto right over any proposed development that does not satisfy the City – regardless of however arbitrary or capricious the City’s demands may be,” the developer claims in the suit.

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Megatel says it spent more than a year trying to track down information about the process and that the city refused to acknowledge its request for a “will serve” letter, the standard document requested from utility providers to show they have the capacity to serve a proposed development.

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In September 2022, six months after requesting the letter, Megatel petitioned the Texas Commision on Environmental Quality to disannex from the city limits and create its own municipal utility district. It also filed for a separate wastewater permit and proceedings with the Texas Public Utility Commission to force Royse City to provide the development process information.

In November, the city disclosed its process for handling water and sewer utility requests for the first time, the lawsuit alleges. That same month, it formally responded to the developer’s will serve letter request, stating that it does not give them. The parties met that month, but the City refused to engage, Megatel alleges.

Instead, the city is accused of suing the developer and two of its corporate officials. A search of lawsuit records could not find that case. Royse City hasn’t responded to a request for comment.

Things have progressed in recent months: In March, the city responded to the TCEQ petition, saying that the developer had not clearly laid out how much water and sewer service it needed. Megatel resubmitted its request in May to “resolve whatever uncertainty the City feigned about the quantity of water and sewer service” it needed, and the city said it would meet.

Megatel is suing anyway because of the damages it says it has already suffered, including foregone development profits and increased costs.

The lawsuit was filed July 7, and Royse City has not yet responded to it.

Royse City, TX (July 17, 2023) – The name of Royse City ISD’s newest high school honors longtime district leader and City of Fate. A formal Royse City ISD Facility Naming Committee consisting of board members, retirees, alumni and parents selected Kevin Worthy Fate High School (WFHS) as the official name for the district’s second high school. Their recommendation received unanimous school board approval at the July 17, 2023 meeting.

“Carefully considering a name for our school district’s second high school, the committee incorporated community and committee suggestions to not only respect the area, but also the integrity of the campus. Our admiration for Superintendent Kevin Worthy and his immense contribution to Royse City ISD, coupled with the historical growth in and around the Fate community, we felt a unique and appropriate name would be Kevin Worthy Fate High School.

Not only does this honor the leadership of Mr. Worthy, but it also gives praise and respect toward the current family and future of the City of Fate. Worthy Fate High School will bring new traditions and legacies that add to the community of Fate as well as Royse City ISD,” said Board Member Bobby Summers.

The Facility Naming Committee reviewed more than 440 name suggestions from the Royse City ISD community in the process of selecting a name for Royse City ISD’s 2nd high school campus to be located in Fate off of FM 552. The school is nearing design completion and is set to open in August of 2027.

“The inclusion of my name in the conversation for naming high school #2 came as a very humbling surprise and honor,” Worthy said. “As an educator, this is an incredibly high honor. The City of Fate has long supported the district’s mission and we are so grateful to the Royse City ISD community for supporting the construction of this much needed new school. Each time Royse City ISD adds a new campus, we grow our district family. This school will be a place for staff and students to grow as well as a focal point for community pride and new traditions at WFHS.”

City of Fate Mayor David Billings shared, “We are excited about the continued expansion of Royse City ISD’s educational services in Fate, particularly the addition of a new high school. Naming the school after Superintendent Kevin Worthy serves as a testament to his lasting legacy, grace and significance to our communities of Fate and Royse City. I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Worthy for several years and have witnessed first hand his exceptional leadership of the staff, faculty, and students of RCISD. On behalf of the Fate City Council, I extend my congratulations to Mr. Worthy and express gratitude to the Royse City ISD School Board for choosing Fate as the location for their new high school.”

Submitted press release