Local Debt

TPPF Says Frisco ISD’s Bond Could Cost $1.3 Billion

TPPF Says Frisco ISD’s Bond Could Cost $1.3 Billion

The Texas Public Policy Foundation recently highlighted Frisco ISD’s bond proposal, set to appear on May’s local ballot.  The brief paper is appropriately titled, “A Profile in Runaway Debt: Frisco ISD's $775 Million Bond Proposal”. Not only did their analysis...

Local Debt: Few Vote, Everyone Pays

Local Debt: Few Vote, Everyone Pays

Historically, turnout in Texas’ political primaries has languished in the single-digits.  Considering that many races from within each party are uncontested, it’s somewhat understandable.  But countless, hotly contested Republican races this March still failed to...

Tarrant Regional Water District Sued Over Election Shell Game

Tarrant Regional Water District Sued Over Election Shell Game

You wouldn’t think that a Water Board could cause so many problems for Texans.  Perhaps that's precisely why, much like rebellious toddlers, some public officials at TRWD insist on overstepping the legal boundaries designed to hold them accountable. We’ve already...

Comptroller Delivers Despite Legislative Failure

Comptroller Delivers Despite Legislative Failure

We recently criticized the state for creating a hopelessly complex information maze that keeps unsuspecting Texans in the dark, and enables local officials to further fuel their borrowing addiction. The State Comptroller’s office, headed by transparency champion Susan...

Taxpayers Bamboozled Over Bonds

Taxpayers Bamboozled Over Bonds

The issuance of debt by government officials is a passive form of taxation, because debt issued today will require taxes on future income.  And because borrowing requires the payment of interest, the cost to taxpayers is typically twice the amount borrowed and spent....

FWISD: Doubling Down on Costly Debt Addiction

FWISD: Doubling Down on Costly Debt Addiction

Interest expense is a huge cost that won’t be included on the ballot, nor in town halls conducted by district staff that will be living off taxpayer provided pensions by the time voters realize what hit them.

Bypassing the Voters

A local panel is recommending that Travis County officials forego an election, and instead just unilaterally issue debt and raise taxes to build a new courthouse. Why? They want to "bypass" the "risk" of not getting approval from those pesky taxpayers. This is an...