This report discusses fiscal 2015, the most recent year for which data is available, in which local debt outstanding, or the amount of unpaid principal on debt owed by Texas’ political subdivisions, grew to an estimated $212.4 billion, “an increase of $20.09 billion (10.4 percent) over the past several years” (Texas Bond Review Board, 2). To help rein in the growth of local government debt, state legislators should require political subdivisions to provide voters with more information at the ballot box for each new debt proposition.
Taxes & Spending
Throwing Cold Water on Kendall County’s HOT Idea
Despite persistent affordability concerns, the Kendall County Commissioners’ Court is once again flirting with the idea of creating a controversial new tax to benefit select businesses at the expense of virtually everyone else. The tax in question is the hotel occupancy tax (HOT) and, if ultimately approved, officials would place another financial strain on any person who pays for a hotel room or other lodging, including inns, motels, and short-term rentals. The cost could be significant too. According to one recent report presented to the Court (see pgs. 133...
July 7, 2026