A collection of three papers on state water policy, written specifically for the Foundation. The authors include Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White and Katharine Armstrong, former Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The papers explore the history of the state’s water policy while examining how the market can better meet the ever increasing – and contentious – demands for water.
Local Government
Examining Local Government Spending Trends From 2014 to 2023
City and county spending has outpaced growth in population and inflation, leading to an increase in the tax burden on Texan taxpayers. Key points: Local government spending continues to outstrip increases in both population and inflation. From 2014 to 2023, local government spending rose by 61.2%, whereas population and inflation increased by only 42.7%. Elevated...
March 6, 2026