One of the most important reforms the Legislature can enact to promote fiscal responsibility is to make the appropriations process more transparent. A transparent state budget helps taxpayers and legislators understand what they are paying for, and increases the chances of spotting waste, fraud, and abuse.
Local Government
Growing Pains: The Cost and Contribution of Impact Fees in Texas
Texas’s rapidly growing population requires new infrastructure and improvements, which oftentimes come at great expense. To fund these projects, local officials often impose impact fees on new development—but their use comes at a cost. Key points: Texas is the fastest-growing state in the nation. As such, it has robust infrastructure requirements. To help finance capital...
August 12, 2026