An Invitation to GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham
5/8/26 – The Texas General Land Office (GLO), despite all the good it does, has a serious conflict of interest under Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, MD.
Administratively, the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation resides within the GLO and Buckingham has a seat on its board.
The Permanent School Fund has reportedly invested $140 million in a floodplain development in the Lake Houston Area, according to State Representative Steve Toth.
The 5300+ acre development lies at the confluence of the San Jacinto West Fork, and Spring, Cypress and Turkey Creeks. It is some of the most flood-prone land in southeast Texas.
So, why does a state agency responsible for flood mitigation invest in a flood-prone development? That question has never been adequately answered.
GLO administers $14.3 billion worth of flood-mitigation funds in Texas for the federal government.
GLO Website
One of the leading hydrologists in the area has told me that developing this land would be like “aiming a fire hose at Kingwood and Humble.”
Information Blackout
Even worse, the GLO has stonewalled all attempts to determine the extent and nature of the PSF’s investment and terms of its contract with Scarborough, the Dallas-based developer, that bought the land from Ryko last year.
All they have told reporters is that “our plans are changing.” But how? What does that mean? Are they changing a street layout? Or backing out of the investment altogether? Could they even back out of the investment at this point? What are the conditions that would let the PSF and GLO back out even if they wanted to?
Flood victims still traumatized with PTSD need specifics, not vaguely worded generalities intended to soothe an anxious public before the election.
According to FEMA, flood mitigation typically costs six times more than flood prevention. So, the decision to finance this development could easily turn into a billion dollar public expense someday: $140 mm + (6 x $140 mm) = $980 mm.
Invitation to Buckingham
So, here’s an invitation to Commissioner Buckingham. Please come to Houston and explain the thinking behind this investment. Look your audience in the eye and be specific.
Don’t rely on vaguely worded press releases with prosaic flatulence like “Our plans are changing.” Tell us how they are changing. Do you intend to turn this land into a state park? To me, that’s the only positive that could come from this misguided episode of “As the Rivers Rise.”
Until Then, Sign Petition
Absent that, I urge everyone in the Lake Houston region to sign the petition against the Scarborough development. Make your concerns heard. It’s your money and your safety.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/8/26
3174 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
