Money from the federal government is often thought of as “free,” but, nothing could be further from the truth. The prevalence of federal funds has been shown to adversely affect a state’s economy, increase state government spending, and lead to a decline in state tax revenues.
Taxes & Spending
Austin’s rising utility fees are taxes by another name
Rising utility bills are one of many factors exacerbating Austin’s well-documented affordability crisis. When Austin utility bills went up last winter, many residents probably didn’t even notice — mostly because the increase in fees was hidden by reductions in other costs. But here’s the truth: The city of Austin is squeezing its customers more than they know....
April 2, 2026