Everything is bigger in Texas—including government debt. According to the Bond Review Board’s latest local government annual report, Texas’ state-local debt totaled nearly $325 billion (principal only) in 2021, which was the 4th highest among the top ten most populous states. On a per capita basis, Texas governments have borrowed so much that every man,...
The true cost of government debt is often understated. Case-in-point: Houston ISD’s “record-breaking” $4.4 billion bond package. To date, most of the media coverage surrounding HISD’s astronomical ask has focused on the principal amount alone, i.e., the $4.4 billion figure. However, as a recent Houston Chronicle article reminds, repaying government debt involves more than just...
Recently, former President Trump floated the idea of creating “a government efficiency commission a federal commission to audit the entire federal government.” And even better, he suggested putting Elon Musk in charge of the commission, saying he is a great “cost-cutter.” Unleashing a commission of this nature on the federal government, led by a titan...
It’s happened again—another government employee got a golden parachute. The Dallas Express recently reported that Harlingen ISD’s outgoing superintendent is resigning under mysterious circumstances, and they’re departing with a lot of taxpayer money, “even as the school district faces financial challenges.” The size of the severance? Over $250,000 plus the value of unused leave. The...
Edgewood ISD finds itself in the midst of controversy once more. It was revealed recently that the lackluster school district had approved a contract extension and pay hike for its superintendent. As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, “the Edgewood Independent School District board extended his contract to 2029 and raised his salary to $291,923.”...
The residents of Whitesboro, Texas recently reminded everyone that speaking up matters. Last month, the Whitesboro city government caused quite the stir when it first proposed an eye-popping tax increase that would have meant a 30% tax rate hike, a 45% jump in homeowner taxes, and a 39% growth in the tax levy. Here’s more...
How much do Houston’s highest paid public school principals make in year? The Houston Chronicle has answers. According to a recently published analysis of the 50 highest-paid principals in the Houston area, administrator salaries ranged between $153,000 to more than $200,000, roughly 2-to-3 times the median household income. The highest paid principal was Mark Smith,...
Sweetheart deals for public school superintendents are in the news—again. And this time, it’s the failing Fort Worth ISD that’s in the spotlight. Yesterday, media outlets revealed that FWISD had entered into a contractual arrangement with outgoing superintendent Angelica Ramsey, who recently became the source of controversy after Ft. Worth mayor Mattie Parker lambasted the...
Every year, experts at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) publish the much-beloved Rich States, Poor States report, which examines “each state’s competitiveness and economic outlook” using an index that tracks and compares 15 different policy variables “that have a proven impact on the migration of capital—both investment and human—into and out of states.” Those...
Many Texans today are struggling to afford the cost of gas, groceries, and rent. Unfortunately, they might also have to add the cost of government to that list too, if some cities, like Houston, get their way. As reported in the Dallas Express on Friday: If the city maintains the current rate of .51 cents...
On Wednesday, the Houston Chronicle shed some light on a big and growing problem—education elites getting rich at taxpayer expense. And special attention was paid to the now-retired superintendent of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (CFISD), Mark Henry. In its piece, the Chronicle’s writer notes: “Before his retirement in December 2023, Henry collected a base salary of $537,775...
The Dallas Morning News isn’t a fan of TPPF’s past property tax elimination plan (no surprise), but in a recent article, the organization’s editorial board seems to take a strong stand in support of additional tax rate compression and local spending discipline (nice surprise!). In the piece, the Board writes: “Ending property taxes would skyrocket...