Despite having passed tax relief at the state level during the 89th Legislative Session (SB 4, 2025), Texans are still burdened with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. This is largely due to relief being eroded at the local level. Local government taxes and spending need to be scrutinized by voters more frequently to ensure increases in the property tax rate are at the will of voters and not left just in the hands of cities.
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