Over the years, 13 local retirement systems in seven major metropolitans have successfully lobbied the Legislature to have some or all of their pension plans codified in state law, making pension reform difficult, if not impossible, to realize without first getting legislation passed at the statehouse.
Local Government
Growing Pains: The Cost and Contribution of Impact Fees in Texas
Texas’s rapidly growing population requires new infrastructure and improvements, which oftentimes come at great expense. To fund these projects, local officials often impose impact fees on new development—but their use comes at a cost. Key points: Texas is the fastest-growing state in the nation. As such, it has robust infrastructure requirements. To help finance capital...
August 12, 2026