Texas’ government budget is up an excessive 11.8 percent above increases in compounded population growth plus inflation since the 2004-05 budget, and some legislators are frustrated with the budget process because the money saved by cutting spending in one area is often reallocated elsewhere resulting in no reduction in the overall budget. To resolve this problem while relieving taxpayers from the burden of paying higher taxes, we recommend creating the Sales Tax Reduction (STaR) Fund.
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