This paper covers Texas’ municipal governments largely relying on property tax revenue to fund city services. It is often difcult for taxpayers to clearly understand how the city council’s proposed property tax rate, combined with changes in property tax values and other city fees, will affect their bill. Thus, this ordinance provides transparency by showing taxpayers how each of the city’s fees, appraisals, and property tax assessments change over time and for different segments of the community.
Austin ISD is an Absolute Mess
Texas’ “most progressive” school district—Austin ISD—continues to be a shining example of all that’s wrong in public education. To start, it was recently revealed that AISD is likely facing a $60 million budget deficit for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. But rather than reduce spending to close the gap, district officials appeared content “to [only]...