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MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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TUESDAY || 2/11/25
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“If something of importance is known in Texas, Matt knows it. With a decline in the number of credible news organizations, the Must Read Texas morning email is indispensable for anyone that wants to continue to be informed.” – Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX)
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TOP NEWS
“Baylor, MD Anderson among institutions that could lose NIH grants,” Houston Chronicle's Julian Gill and Evan MacDonald — “Houston’s largest health care institutions stand to lose tens of millions of dollars under a new National Institutes of Health policy that slashes grant funding for medical research, triggering widespread concern among researchers and university administrators.
The funding in question, also called “indirect costs,” reimburses grant recipients for overhead costs associated with research, such as the cost of support staff and maintaining lab space. The policy change would not affect direct costs, which go directly toward specific research projects.
The NIH on Friday announced plans to dramatically lower the rate at which it reimburses indirect costs, drawing a lawsuit from 22 states (not including Texas). A federal judge blocked the policy in those 22 states Monday afternoon.
In Texas, many university leaders and researchers remained anxious about what the future holds. Research institutions in the Houston area collected a combined $263 million in indirect costs last year from the NIH, according to an agency database.
“Within a short order, there would probably have to be personnel decisions,” said Darren Woodside, vice president of research at the Texas Heart Institute. “The long term consequences are dire. You’re really talking about the U.S.’s leadership role in medical research being affected.”
The new NIH policy caps reimbursements for indirect costs at 15%. Until now, large research institutions have been paid considerably higher reimbursement rates – some greater than 50% – to account for their high overhead expenses.
In announcing the decision, the agency said it is "obligated to carefully steward grant awards to ensure taxpayer dollars are used in ways that benefit the American people and improve their quality of life," adding that indirect costs are "difficult for NIH to oversee."
The policy change could have devastating impacts in and around the Texas Medical Center, officials said.
Rice University – which received $24.6 million in NIH grant funding last year – would lose $9.1 million this fiscal year and at least $11 to $12 million in every future fiscal year, according to a university spokesperson.
The University of Houston estimated that it could lose about $10 million annually and braced for the possibility of further cuts from other federal agencies.
“We must consider the possibility that other federal agencies may adopt similar policies, further compounding the challenges faced by research institutions nationwide,” the university said." Houston Chronicle ($)
#TXLEGE
DMN: “Texas House speaker vows to pass school choice” DMN ($)
TX TRIB: “With vouchers fast-tracked, other Texas public education issues to watch this session” Texas Tribune
TX TRIB: “Legislature considers paying much more for school safety” Texas Tribune
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DMN: “Dallas council members recommend increased hiring goals for new police officers” DMN ($)
DMN: “Dallas blocked again from enforcing ban on short-term rentals” DMN ($)
SAEN: Editorial: “Bexar County is just too sluggish about a new Spurs arena” SAEN ($)
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS: “Project 2025 adviser takes the reins at EPA region including Texas” Inside Climate News
2026
TX TRIB: “As Texas gets redder, John Cornyn could face toughest primary season of his career” Texas Tribune
BUSINESS NEWS
HOU CHRON: “Mattress Firm to be acquired by Tempur Sealy in $4 billion deal” Houston Chronicle ($)
BLOOMBERG WIRE: “Energy Transfer, CloudBurst strike data center power deal” Bloomberg wire
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
> TX TRIB: "Texas universities could face funding cuts for health care research under new Trump administration policy" TX TRIB
> TX TRIB: "Legislature considers paying much more for school safety" TX TRIB
> FWST: "UT Southwestern Medical Center could lose $100M annually if NIH cuts take effect: report" FWST
> AP: "Fifteen cases of measles reported in small West Texas county with high rate of vaccine exemptions" AP
> DMN: "How will Gov. Abbott's priorities impact career training programs in Texas' high schools?" DMN
> FWST: "Clawed creature native to Australia is invading Texas waters. Why experts are worried" FWST
> DMN: "Watchdog organization calls for investigation on crisis pregnancy centers" DMN
> DMN: "McKinney attorney Taylor Willingham joins race for mayoral seat" DMN
> TX TRIB: "With vouchers fast-tracked, other Texas public education issues to watch this session" TX TRIB
> DMN: "How consumers can use A.I. to shop for the best deals" DMN
> DMN: "A look at potential candidates for SMU's athletic director opening" DMN
> DMN: "Avianca adds flight from Dallas to South America" DMN
> DMN: "Mike Bacsik is leaving 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM)" DMN
> DMN: "Missing 12-year-old Irving girl found in Alabama" DMN
> HOU CHRON: "Harris County sues wastewater treatment facility, alleging multiple violations" HOU CHRON
> FWST: "These TCU seniors don’t graduate until May, but they’ve already opened their own business" FWST
> DMN: "45-year-old Italian restaurant is back open in Dallas-Fort Worth" DMN
> DMN: "Lyft plans robotaxi effort with a launch in Dallas" DMN
> COMMUNITY IMPACT: "School districts increase access to hospital counselors through virtual visits" COMMUNITY IMPACT
> HOU CHRON: "Qualified students in these districts are now auto admits to Houston Christian" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "EPA finds cancer-causing toxin at site of Fifth Ward community center in Houston" HOU CHRON
> SAEN: "Trump's education chief comes from the boardroom, not the classroom. Backers say that's her strength" SAEN
> HOU CHRON: "H-E-B giving 120 people year’s worth of free groceries. Here's how you could win" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Katy students urge Cy-Fair ISD trustees to reject gender policy" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Husband jailed in shooting death of Lamar CISD educator; Fort Bend County continues investigation" HOU CHRON
> HOU CHRON: "Fox 26 host Isiah Carey to take break from station after second DWI arrest last week" HOU CHRON
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports score:
> NBA: San Antonio 131, Washington 121
> NBA: Sacramento 129, Dallas 128 (OT)
> NCAAM: #5 Houston 76, Baylor 65
> NCAAM: McNeese 67, East Texas A&M 51
> NCAAM: Stephen F. Austin 85, UT-RGV 75
> NCAAM: Incarnate Word 75, New Orleans 65
> NCAAM: SE Louisiana 69, Houston Christian 60
> NCAAM: Lamar 67, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 56
> NCAAM: Bethune-Cookman 80, Texas Southern 77
> NCAAM: Florida A&M 78, Prairie View A&M 67
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 8pm: NCAAM: #2 Alabama at Texas (ESPN)
> 8pm: NCAAM: Georgia at #8 Texas A&M (SEC Network)
> 8pm: NCAAM: North Texas at Rice (ESPN+)
> 8pm: NCAAM: Pittsburgh at SMU (ACC Network)
HOUSTON ASTROS: "Houston Astros: 5 prospects to keep an eye on in spring training" Houston Chronicle ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "DeRozan scores 42 points, including OT winner, as Kings edge depleted Mavericks 129-128" AP
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "With unwavering smile, Luka Doncic embraces ‘surreal feeling’ of LA debut" DMN ($)
DALLAS MAVERICKS: "Mavericks fan unrest creeps into home arena as multiple patrons are escorted out of AAC" DMN ($)
HOUSTON ROCKETS: "Houston Rockets: Losing streak ends with late comeback vs. Raptors" Houston Chronicle ($)
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: "3 takeaways as Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox outgun Wizards" SAEN ($)
HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL: "No. 6 Houston beats Baylor 76-65 as 5 Cougars score in double figures" AP
TEXAS MEN'S BASKETBALL: "March Madness bracketology: Could Texas basketball fall out of NCAA tournament?" AAS ($)
TEXAS A&M MEN'S BASKETBALL: "Why Texas A&M has been so good at close games this season" AAS ($)
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