ATX-PFH: Impact 10/8/2025

Bogey Master Golf Simulator plans to open in Hutto this month.

Overview: The indoor golf simulator and lounge area, owned by Justin Chitwood and Pete Sandoval, will give golfers of all skill levels a chance to practice and play away from the elements.

Bogey Master’s Trackman-powered golf bays will be available day or night, as the business will be open 24/7, giving customers the opportunity to book a tee time that fits their schedule. The lounge is also BYOB, so customers can bring their own drinks and food.

Pflugerville ISD officials announced Oct. 7 that Daniel Garcia, a PfISD educator of 24 years, will become the first principal of the new Career and Technical Education center, which is set to open in 2027.

The details: Per the news release, Garcia joined the district in 2000 and has served as principal at both Connally High School and Hendrickson High School. Garcia will remain at Connally through the spring 2026 semester, and part of the fall 2026 semester.

Diving in deeper: Funded by the 2022 bond, the center will offer programs for veterinary technicians, firefighters, construction and welding, an automotive shop, health sciences, culinary arts and more.

Looking ahead: The center is slated to break ground this fall and open in August 2027 ahead of the 2027-28 school year. Further details on Garcia's leadership transition and other programs offered will be shared in the coming months, per the release.

Travis County has approved a $2.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26, about 12% higher than last year’s.

The big picture: The plan includes a one-year property tax hike to help the county recover from July’s severe flooding, which drained $15 million in emergency reserves for debris cleanup and temporary road repairs. The temporary increase—roughly 3 cents more per $100 of property value—will raise about $42 million for disaster recovery, adding about $200 to the average homeowner’s tax bill, with $72 tied directly to flood costs.

What else? Beyond core services like public safety and infrastructure, the budget highlights major justice and health initiatives. That includes $86 million to launch a future mental health jail diversion center, designed to redirect people with mental illness or substance abuse disorders away from jail.

Central Health also received a 9.3% funding boost to expand primary, specialty, and behavioral care for low-income residents, with officials pledging shorter wait times and broader access under what they’ve called the “year of access.”

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.