Taxpayer-funded lobbying is a common practice in which “[local] governmental entities spend public money to hire registered lobbyists to advocate for and against specific legislative proposals. These progovernment advocacy efforts are routinely at odds with private citizens’ liberties and finances” (Quintero & Welton, 2023, p. 2). It is estimated that political subdivisions spent as much as $75 million contracting with lobbyists to advocate for larger budgets, more taxing authority, and greater regulatory control Quintero & Welton, 2023, p. 1) Several members of the 89th Texas Legislature have made it a top priority to end the practice of taxpayer funded lobbying this year.
Homelessness
Homelessness Services Audits
In 2013, the Obama Administration offered “Housing First” as the means to end homelessness in 10 years. Over a decade later, homelessness is more prevalent than ever, and taxpayers have been financing ever-increasing funding to programs that are failing to achieve their stated goal of ending homelessness. Key points: The “Housing First” approach was proposed...
August 31, 2026