“The federal government shouldn’t reward local governments’ bad budgetary behavior by bailing them out. The pandemic only highlighted this problem—it didn’t create it.”
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City of Denton Proposes Higher Property Taxes, More Debt
The council is seeking to increase the average homeowner’s property tax bill as well as asking voters to add more debt on the backs of property taxpayers in a November election.
City Councilman Sounds Debt Alarm
Saginaw councilman warns taxpayers city is increasing debt to avoid lowering tax rate.
Texas House Goes Halfway on Bond Transparency
A measure passes that would require local governments to provide more transparency about debt proposals and their tax impact—but only online.
Austin’s Debt Train to Nowhere
In November, Austin voters will decide on City Proposition 1—a billion dollar transit rail line that will over double the city’s debt and lead to a substantial tax increase for property tax payers. Unlike previous elections on boondoggle projects, greater citizen...
Houston Officials Bury Their Heads In The Sand
Houston's elected officials are continuing to endanger the prosperity of our state’s largest and most economically vibrant city by ignoring major fiscal challenges and complaining about voter-imposed revenue limits. For the first time in five years, Houston taxpayers...
Local Debt: Don’t Wait Until November
Engaged Texans can more effectively influence their local officials by taking proactive steps now as opposed to waiting until November.
Hungry for Taxpayer Handouts
A popular political bumper sticker reads, “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.” Citizens of the small, Central Texas town of Taylor now have a reason to do both: Taylor’s City Council has given away over $200,000 in tax money to build a pizza restaurant...
Is Debt on Your November Ballot?
Each year, there are two customary opportunities for local governments to ask you to pay for more debt. And for those 5-8% of voters who chose to vote in May’s local elections, you may have already seen propositions this year. In fact, over 85% of May’s $7 billion in...
Bayou City Backwardness
Our state’s largest city is in trouble. Rising pension costs, debt service payments, and labor costs are driving a projected budget deficit for the Bayou City. Judging by the agenda of recent city council meetings, onlookers would be unlikely to see this problem or...