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As health care costs continue rising in Texas and across the nation, state lawmakers are working to understand the factors that make health care unaffordable and what can be done to rein in prices.

The big picture: About 5.2 million Texans, or 16.7% of the state’s population, did not have health insurance in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

For years, advocates have called on Texas lawmakers to pass laws to drive down health care costs and improve access to health insurance. During a two-day hearing April 30 and May 1, a Texas House committee examined why health care costs are rising. Lawmakers will discuss potential policy solutions later this year, committee chair Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, said.

What's happening: Yale University professor Zack Cooper said that since 2000, U.S. health care spending has grown three times faster than inflation. The average health insurance premium for a family of four is $27,000 per year, he said.

“Every family is basically buying a new Toyota Corolla worth of health insurance," Cooper told lawmakers.

Cowboys Dancehall first opened its doors in 1989 in Dallas. Now, the popular country outpost has officially expanded to the Houston market, with a new location off of Bellaire Boulevard.

Read all about it: The new Houston location spans 36,789 square feet, according to a June 10 news release. At the heart of the space will be a 2,500-square-foot signature "racetrack"-style dance floor, expected to host crowds of up to 2,000 people per night.

The dancehall and saloon will also feature a large stage with live music acts, including regular appearances by "Runnin' Behind." Guests can also expect other amenities such as free valet for all unescorted ladies, an elevated patio, a large porte-cochère, pool tables and a mechanical bull.

Cowboys Red River will also offer free dance lessons every night.

Before you go: Cowboys Red River will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

• 7500 Bellaire, Ste. C-18, Houston

West University Place officials approved extending the city’s Facilities Utilization Task Force to Sept. 14.

What happened: The task force was originally formed in November 2025 and was set to expire three months after its first meeting, but members of the task force said that a report on the condition of buildings and a facilities survey analysis required an extension.

“We need until the end of December to get all of that pulled together and then get our reports submitted to you,” task force member Dean Strombom said to City Council.

However, council members said they would schedule it according to the meeting schedule.

Some background: The task force is composed of eight residents with differing perspectives on how the West U library, community building and senior center should be used.

Houston added a handful of amendments to the fiscal year 2026-27 budget that was approved June 10.

Some amendments deal with the new $5 administration fee and the Solid Waste Department, while others add positions to city departments and address mental health.

The updates: Houston City Council approved $3 million to address illegal dumping. The amendment will:

• Hire additional solid waste workers
• Expand roll-off services, which include renting large dumpsters for bulky waste and debris
• Expand access to legal disposal sites
• Install cameras and signage in chronic dump sites
• Accelerate cleanup and overgrowth removal

Texas must protect residential consumers from paying for the infrastructure needed to power new data centers, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a June 10 order aimed at balancing the rapid growth of data centers with the needs of residents and communities.

The big picture: The governor directed state regulators to ensure data center companies do not pass infrastructure costs on to ratepayers, urging lawmakers to tighten regulations on data centers’ water use and repeal certain tax exemptions that benefit the industry.

Abbott’s order comes as Texas grapples with how to manage the data center boom amid climbing electric demand and looming water shortages. It is the first time the Republican governor has publicly called to restrict data center growth.

The context: As communities across Texas consider new data center projects, reporting shows that some residents are pushing back, raising concerns about the large facilities’ water usage, potential strain on the electric grid and impacts on local neighborhoods.

What they're saying: In response, state agencies called protecting consumers from rising electric costs "our top priority."