Of all the states, Texas arguably has the most at stake in the debate over federal immigration laws. As one of only four states that shares a border with Mexico, Texas has a tremendous interest in border security, both in terms of public safety and the costs of illegal immigration. And as one of the few states whose economies are heavily invested in both high-tech industries and agriculture, Texas has much on the line when it comes to the flow of both high-skilled and low-skilled immigrants.
Just the Facts: Local Government Spending
Despite billions in property tax relief provided by recent state legislatures, Texans’ property tax bills continue to increase due to unrestricted spending at the local level. Key points: City and county government spending continues to outstrip increases in both population and inflation. While the state government has constitutional and statutory spending limits, local governments do...