Wohlgemuth, Heflin: Ordinary Texans who pay the taxes deserve a transparent and comprehensible state budget. Unfortunately, they don't get it from the opaque and difficult-to-grasp processes currently in place.
Local Government
Texas Local Government Debt Soars to $552 Billion
New data shows a dramatic increase in local government debt last year, which drove property taxes higher and worsened the cost-of-living crisis. According to the Bond Review Board’s latest estimates, the total amount owed by cities, counties, school districts, and special districts rose to nearly $552 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Shockingly, that massive sum is more than $52 billion higher than the prior year’s amount. Once again, independent school districts (ISDs) were the most heavily indebted type of political subdivision,...
January 28, 2026