In Texas, we understand Hayek’s emphasis on the importance of freedom to get a job so we can prosper. But government barriers to work keep too many Texans from reaching this goal. The most draconian is occupational licensing. While trying to protect Texans’ health, safety, and welfare is well-intentioned, most licenses do more harm than good.
Taxes & Spending
Assessing Tax Trends in the City of Dallas
Does history suggest that property taxes are too high in the city of Dallas? And, if so, have local decision-makers actively helped or hurt the situation? To help answer these questions, let’s review the city’s 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and gather four types of data—i.e., tax levies, local population, total tax rates, and taxable values—over a 10-year time horizon. Using these audited estimates, we can gauge the growth of government (i.e., tax levy trends), assess its reasonability...
February 18, 2026