As lawmakers consider ways to fund Texas government, some are advocating an expansion of state-run gambling to include video lottery terminals, or VLTs. With some projecting a $2 billion windfall, VLTs are an attractive source of income, but studies indicate the costs may outweigh the benefits. Two background papers are also available; one summarizes the economic impacts of gambling, the other provides the calculations used to identify the additional fiscal cost of VLTs.
Taxes & Spending
Texas City Eliminates Their Property Taxes
On September 10, the City of Von Ormy cut its already low property tax rate from $.12 to zero. Von Ormy has had a history of dedication to low, or no taxes, with 2024 being the first time they even adopted a tax rate since 2014. The city approved a zero-property tax rate even as...
September 22, 2026