Every year, municipalities levy hundreds of millions of dollars on utilities in right-of-way (ROW) fees, largely in excess of what is needed for the maintenance of ROWs. Consumers end up paying the bill.
Local Government
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
FACT SHEET: Understanding Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Taxpayer-funded lobbying (TFL) is a complex and unfortunate feature of state and local governance. While lobbying is typically associated with private interest groups attempting to influence government decisions, taxpayer-funded lobbying flips this model: it involves government entities themselves using public funds to influence legislative outcomes. The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s...
May 1, 2026