Plano Daily Local Brief: DART deal advances, Plano ISD legal pause, and a US 75 shutdown

1) Plano pulls the plug on a DART exit election

Plano City Council voted Feb. 23 to cancel the May election that would have asked voters whether the city should leave the regional transit system. Instead, council approved a new funding agreement aimed at returning more value to member cities and setting clearer expectations for how local dollars translate into service.

For riders and commuters, it means regional rail and bus planning stays on steadier ground for now. For taxpayers, the next chapter will be about whether the new deal delivers the service reliability and accountability residents have been asking for.

2) Federal judge temporarily blocks parts of Texas SB 12 for Plano ISD

A federal judge has temporarily barred Plano ISD (along with two other large districts) from enforcing parts of Texas Senate Bill 12 while a lawsuit proceeds. The paused sections touch on certain restrictions tied to DEI-related duties and some rules affecting student clubs and guidance related to gender identity.

Practically, the ruling creates a short-term carve-out for Plano ISD while the courts sort out what the law can require and what districts must do next.

3) Major crash briefly shut down southbound US 75 in Plano

Drivers saw a rough start to the morning on Feb. 24 after a serious crash blocked all southbound lanes of US 75 near the President George Bush Turnpike. Emergency crews responded, and traffic backed up quickly before lanes reopened later that morning.