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
Who Were Austin’s Highest Paid Public Employees in 2025?
Last month, the Austin American-Statesman launched an interesting new city salary database that shines a light on the “top-paid city of Austin employees of 2025.” The new details are quite interesting, especially given the city’s own recent admission that “Austin is experiencing a housing affordability crisis”—which is, of course, chiefly driven by government action. Using this tool, it’s obvious that city workers have become numerous and well-compensated. As the Statesman itself notes: “The city of Austin employed 13,567 full-time workers...
March 27, 2026