Texas State Agencies | Texapedia

River Authority Dam Texas Lady Bird Lake

State Agencies

River Authorities of Texas

Learn about the state agencies that manage dams, reservoirs, and parks in Texas's major river basins.

Texapedia StaffNovember 21, 2022

The San Jacinto Monument, located on the historic battlefield east of Houston.

State Agencies Texas Heritage

Texas Historical Commission

Explore a map and photos of renowned historic sites in Texas, and learn about the state agency tasked with maintaining Texas museums, battlefields, and historic forts.

Texapedia StaffNovember 21, 2022

prison release texas pardon board 800x500 1

Criminal Justice System State Agencies Texas Criminal Law & Procedure

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Parole can give prisoners a fresh start, allowing release before the end of a prison sentence. Learn about the state agency that manages the Texas parole system.

Texapedia StaffNovember 21, 2022

Seal of Texas Attorney General

Civil Law & Procedure Executive Branch State Agencies

Office of the Attorney General of Texas

Often misunderstood, the Texas Office of Attorney General is not a general prosecutor. Instead, it represents the state in civil lawsuits, issues legal opinions, and manages the state’s child support system.

Texapedia StaffNovember 17, 2022

Texas Secretary of State Office

Executive Branch State Agencies

Texas Secretary of State

Summary of the structure, governance, history, and functions of the Office of Texas Secretary of State.

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

State Agencies Texas Heritage

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

General overview of the structure, functions, and budget of Texas' leading wildlife conservation agency

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

State Agencies

List of Texas State Agencies

The Texas state government includes about 150 state agencies that operate as distinct administrative units, each with its own budget, structure, and mandate.

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

State Agencies

Railroad Commission of Texas

Learn about the history, structure, and programs of this misnamed state agency, which regulates oil and gas—not railroads.

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

The Home Visit Oil Painting

State Agencies

Texas Medical Board

The Texas Medical Board is a regulatory agency setting medical ethics rules and handling disciplinary matters.

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

seal texas state auditor

Integrity & Efficiency Legislative Branch State Agencies

Texas State Auditor’s Office

The State Auditor's Office is an agency within the legislative branch that investigates financial waste, fraud, and mismanagement

Texapedia StaffNovember 19, 2022

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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