Over the course of several decades, more than one dozen local retirement systems have successfully petitioned the Legislature to establish some or all of their pension plans in state law. Commonly codified plan elements include: contribution rates, benefit levels, and board composition. By securing their provisions in state law, this select group of state-governed systems has erected a major obstacle to community-driven reform and effectively cemented a series of unsustainable practices.
Taxes & Spending
Supermajority Solutions for Texas Taxpayers
Texas bond elections often pass with low voter turnout and simple majorities, driving up local debt as a result. Raising voter approval thresholds could protect taxpayers and ensure a stronger consensus for public spending. Key points: Even though tax relief has been funded at the state level, increased debt at the local level has led...
February 3, 2026