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Top Story
Health insurance costs surge in Brazoria County cities

Health insurance premium costs have risen nationwide—and Pearland, Friendswood and Manvel have been no exception. Residents and employers alike are seeing higher costs each year.

The overview: From 2022 to 2026, the average monthly cost for an individual enrolled in a standard mid-tier ACA marketplace plan—known as a silver plan—increased by 63% in Brazoria County and by more than 76% in Galveston County, according to PlainHealthPlan data, which provides an ACA premiums database on county levels.

What they said: Officials with the Texas Department of Insurance, or TDI, said multiple factors drive up premium health insurance costs.

“When premiums increase, it’s primarily driven by underlying health care costs and insurer experience, not by the state setting rates,” TDI spokesperson Mistie Hinote said. “Insurers most commonly cite rising medical costs, increased use of health care services and higher prescription drug spending as key drivers of premium increases.”

 
Latest Education News
Pearland ISD trustees anticipate $3.2M shortfall for FY 2026-27

Pearland ISD anticipates a shortfall of nearly $3.2 million for fiscal year 2026-27, which was approved at the June 9 board of trustees meeting.

The overview: Trustees approved nearly $235 million in expenses and around $231 million in revenue for FY 2026-27, budget documents show. Since the May 12 budget workshop, expenditures have increased by nearly $5.8 million. 

How we got here: The district appeared to be in a surplus during the previous workshop in part due to $2.5 million for the teacher incentive allotment, or TIA. At the May 12 workshop, state revenue was included without the matching payments to staff being fully built into the expenditure side, Berger said at the meeting.

What residents need to know: The district is also projecting a tax rate of $1.135 for FY 2026-27. Based on that rate, a homeowner with a median homestead taxable value of $232,260 would have an estimated annual property tax bill of about $2,636.15, documents show.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Tiles + Tides

Chase the Rainbow: Stride with Pride

June 12, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Houston

June 13, 7:30 a.m.
Cypress

Learn more.

Learn more.

 

TexMex Smoke N Fire BBQ Fest

White Linen Night

June 13, noon-6 p.m.
Humble

June 13, 4-8 p.m.
League City

Learn more.

Learn more.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
Gov. Abbott tells PUC, ERCOT to ensure Texas consumers do not foot the bill for data center growth

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."

 

Your local team

Haley Velasco
Editor

Papar Faircloth
General Manager

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