Public safety concerns are on the rise in Austin, prompting increased attention from Texans and their elected officials. In 2022, both the violent crime rate and the property crime rate in Austin were higher than the national average (U.S. News & World Report, n.d.). Further, Austin’s homicide rate was “trending above the state and national average” as of July 2024 (Velez, 2024). “The last four years have definitely been the most murderers that we’ve ever had,” the Austin Police Department reported (Velez, 2024). The challenges surrounding public safety have been compounded by Austin’s management of its law enforcement resources. A key factor in this issue is the jurisdictional divide in the city. The area surrounding the Capitol, along with numerous other owned buildings, does not fall under the City of Austin’s authority. Instead, this region, known as the Capitol Complex, is under state jurisdiction.
Local Government
Texas Local Government Debt Soars to $552 Billion
New data shows a dramatic increase in local government debt last year, which drove property taxes higher and worsened the cost-of-living crisis. According to the Bond Review Board’s latest estimates, the total amount owed by cities, counties, school districts, and special districts rose to nearly $552 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Shockingly, that massive sum is more than $52 billion higher than the prior year’s amount. Once again, independent school districts (ISDs) were the most heavily indebted type of political subdivision,...
January 28, 2026