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Press Releases

Commissioner Buckingham Announces Veterans Land Board's Increase of Home Loan Amount to $766,550

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced that the VLB has approved an increase for the VLB home loan amount from $726,200 to $766,550."Working to expand opportunities and support for Texans Veterans is one of my top priorities as VLB Chairwoman," said Commissioner Buckingham. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Celebrates First-Year Accomplishments and Looks Forward to Continuation of Service to Texans in 2024

Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced several of the groundbreaking accomplishments of the General Land Office under her first year of leading this critical state agency.“I am so proud to serve as your first female Land Commissioner and of the tremendous successes your General Land Office has made in education, historical preservation, veteran support, coastal conservation, and strategic land management,” Buckingham said. “This past year marked the beginning of a new era, and our team has wasted no time getting to work for Texans. Read More


City of Killeen Enters into Contract with Veterans Land Board Over Daily Operations of Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced that the Killeen City Council voted 6-0 for the City of Killeen to enter into a contractual agreement with the VLB regarding daily operations of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. The VLB still owns and oversees the cemetery and will provide the city with the funding for all salaries, employee benefits, and daily operating supplies. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Announces Derelict Vessel Turn-In: Port Isabel and South Padre Island

Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is partnering with the City of Port Isabel, City of South Padre Island (SPI), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and the Port Isabel Navigation District to provide Port Isabel and SPI residents with a free event to dispose of inoperable vessels. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Announces Planned State Land Carbon Dioxide Storage Lease Sale for 2023

Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. and the School Land Board (SLB) announced plans to publish a Request for Proposals (RFP) for several carbon sequestration leases. These leases will generate significant revenue for the Permanent School Fund (PSF), a constitutionally created fund that helps support public education in Texas.The RFP will result in leases covering submerged portions of Permanent School Fund land in the Brownsville, Matagorda, and Freeport areas, with more than one million acres available in the lease offering. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Announces Funding for Bolivar Peninsula Beach and Dune Restoration Project

Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the approval of Coastal Erosion Planning & Response Act (CEPRA) funding for the Bolivar Peninsula Beach and Dune Restoration project. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Congratulates John Whitmire on Houston Mayoral Victory

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. released the following statement congratulating Texas Senator John Whitmire on his victory in the Houston Mayoral Runoff Election:  “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to Houston Mayor-Elect John Whitmire on his victory tonight in the Houston Mayoral Runoff. From working with him for years in the Texas Senate, I know John, like myself, is a solution-oriented public servant and looks for creative ways to tackle big issues – this is exactly what the City of Houston needs. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Announces 2023 Holiday Wreath Laying Ceremonies at Abilene, Corpus Christi and Mission Texas State Veterans Cemeteries

Today, Veterans Land Board Chairwoman and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the 2023 Holiday Wreath Laying Ceremonies at Abilene, Corpus Christi and Mission Texas State Veterans Cemeteries on Saturday, December 16. This year, the VLB is working with Wreaths Across America at three VLB cemeteries to ensure all of our Veterans and family members are honored and remembered.RSVPs are not required to attend ceremonies. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Encourages Texans to Vote for Alamo Exhibit as Best New Attraction in America

Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham M.D. encouraged Texans to vote for the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center as the "Best New Attraction in America" in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The Alamo Exhibit has been nominated for this prestigious award that not only recognizes incredible attractions and businesses, but also provides these locations as recommendations to readers for future experiences. Voting is open to the public. Read More


Commissioner Buckingham Announces Derelict Vessel Turn-In: Galveston County

Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is partnering with Galveston County and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to provide the residents of Galveston County with a Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP), a free opportunity to relinquish unwanted boats and vessels.Galveston County Vessel Turn-In ProgramTo relinquish unwanted boats, participants must receive pre-approval for their vessel and meet the following eligibility requirements:Vessels must be less than 26 feet in lengthNo trailers acceptedBoats must be cleared of trash a Read More