Overview
- Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate following Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s call for law enforcement review and a potential halt to state appropriations.
- An interim audit update identified 743 invoices totaling about $282.2 million tied to expired contracts and 8,144 invoices worth roughly $158 million dated before requisitions.
- Audited financial statements were filed late for two consecutive fiscal years, and the auditor linked broader problems to vacancies in critical finance roles and weak procurement and asset oversight.
- Texas Southern University said it is cooperating, noted it implemented corrective measures including a new procurement system, and is set to meet with auditors on Thursday.
- No funding freeze has taken effect; TSU, which enrolls about 8,000–9,200 students, is slated to receive nearly $123 million in state appropriations for fiscal 2026 and has a history of prior financial controversies.