Texas state and local governments are expected to spend $18 billion in federal economic stimulus or over $700 for every man, woman, and child in the state; but has all that government spending been worth it? To answer this we examine the growth and decline of some of the state’s major economic indicators since the stimulus came to Texas.
Local Government
Tracking Local Government Debt in Texas: 2016 – 2025
Local governments in Texas have accumulated excessive public debt. Strict reforms are necessary to restore fiscal discipline. Key points: In fiscal year 2025, local government borrowing reached nearly $561 billion in combined principal and interest, which is $17,706 in debt per capita. From 2016 to 2025, total local debt rose from $331.8 billion to $561...
November 9, 2026