HTX-KTY: Impact 11/11/2025

Learn more about volunteer and donation opportunities in the Katy-Fulshear area and beyond. This list is not comprehensive.

The Ballard House: This nonprofit provides temporary housing for individuals and families who are receiving medical treatment or are hospitalized. The 34,000-square-foot housing has 40 rooms and can hold multiple families.

• 21421 Cinco Park Road, Katy

• 7126 FM 359 S., Richmond

Bath & Body Works has opened a new location in the Plaza at Elyson.

What they offer: The fragrance retailer specializes in aromatherapy and offers products ranging from hand soaps and lotions to  three-wick candles and home fragrance diffusers.

• 22165 FM 529, Ste. 103, Katy

Fort Bend County residents have the opportunity to represent their area through several county positions on the ballot in 2026.

On the ballot: The candidate filing period for the March 3 primary election opened Nov. 8 and runs through Dec. 8, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website.

Several key county positions are on the ballot, including:

• County judge
• Precinct 2 commissioner
• Precinct 4 commissioner
• County clerk
• District attorney
• District clerk

The filing period to run in the 2026 primary elections is now open, according to Harris County officials. Here are the positions that will be on the March 2026 ballot.

What we know: According to the Texas Secretary of State, the filing period for individuals seeking to run for public office in the March 2026 primary elections openedon Nov. 8. In Harris County, several local races will be on the ballot on top of races for state representative and state senator, including:

• District Clerk
• County Clerk
• County Treasurer
• County Commissioner, Precinct 2
• County Commissioner, Precinct 4

• Age
• Citizenship status
• Voter registration status

Gov. Greg Abbott announced his bid for a fourth gubernatorial term Nov. 9, laying out an ambitious six-pronged plan to make “out-of-control property taxes finished in Texas.”

The details: Abbott's goals include eliminating property taxes charged by public school districts, which make up the majority of an average homeowner’s property tax bill. Some conservative groups and lawmakers pushed for an end to school property taxes during recent state legislative sessions.

The governor’s plan to limit local tax increases includes:

• Limiting annual local government spending
• Requiring approval from two-thirds of local voters for all tax hikes
• Allowing local residents to petition for an election to roll back tax rates
• Requiring property appraisals to occur once every five years
• Capping appraisal increases at 3% per year, down from 10% today
• Asking voters to eliminate school property taxes