As the Sunset Commission staff report details, many similar or identical functions are spread out among the five agencies of HHSC, creating inefficiencies and unnecessary complexity—all of which contribute to difficulties in care deliver and higher costs. We commend the agencies for the work they have done during the last transition and expect their work to be further enhanced by the transition they will likely undergo next session. It is now time to take the next step.
Taxes & Spending
Assessing Tax Trends in the City of Austin
Does history suggest that property taxes are too high in the city of Austin? And, if so, have local decision-makers actively helped or hurt the situation? To help answer these questions, let’s review the city’s 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and gather four types of data—i.e., tax levies, local population, total tax rates, and taxable values—over a 10-year time horizon. Using these audited estimates, we can gauge the growth of government (i.e., tax levy trends), assess its reasonability...
February 19, 2026