Although the Legislature has the authority to limit, or even abrogate, vested property rights in groundwater, it does so with implications of “taking” constitutionally-protected rights for which the state would be liable to compensate the property owners.
Taxes & Spending
Just the Facts: Local Government Spending
Despite billions in property tax relief provided by recent state legislatures, Texans’ property tax bills continue to increase due to unrestricted spending at the local level. Key points: City and county government spending continues to outstrip increases in both population and inflation. While the state government has constitutional and statutory spending limits, local governments do...
August 10, 2026