From polling locations to EMS services and more, read about the top 10 government stories affecting Hays County residents in 2025.

1. Hays County calls for pause on property tax exemption decisions: Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra formally requested in a letter that the Hays Central Appraisal District halt decisions on several tax exemption applications until the state provides legal guidance, according to a news release.

2. Hays County Commissioners Court passes resolution in support of countywide polling locations: The program allows voters to cast their ballots at any polling location within the county, regardless of their specific precinct, according to a Jan. 28 news release.

3. Hays County removes, relocates polling locations ahead of early voting: Hays County residents will not be able to vote at Sunfield Station, Driftwood Community Center or Dripping Springs ISD Center for Learning and Leadership in the upcoming election due to Americans with Disabilities Act non-compliance.

From new learning opportunities to expansions and more, here are five business updates in San Marcos.

Now open: Keysight Smart Lab
The hands-on engineering lab focuses on areas such as semiconductors, wireless technologies and Internet of Things—a network of physical devices such as sensors, appliances, vehicles, and industrial machines connected to the internet.

• Opened Dec. 3
• Bruce & Gloria Ingram Hall, 310 W. Woods St., San Marcos

• Mobile business

• Expanded late October
• 2201 Hunter Road, San Marcos

Here are five of the most-read CI Texas stories from this year and the latest updates on these trending topics.

1. Texas Senate passes bill that would nearly double property tax exemption for seniors, people with disabilities: Elderly and disabled homeowners were set to receive a $200,000 property tax exemption this year.

2. Texas House bill would make it easier to remove students from the classroom: The law gives teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others.

3. What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot: Nearly 3 million Texans voted in the November election, approving all 17 constitutional amendments.

4. Texas House bill would prohibit cellphone use in K-12 schools: Under House Bill 1481, cellphones and other personal communication devices are prohibited bell-to-bell in Texas public schools.

5. Texas families can now access 2022-23 A-F school accountability ratings after multiyear legal battle: The state later released ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in August.