Tax increment financing (TIF) is a public financing tool that uses increased property tax revenue within a designated area for redevelopment projects. TIF advocates believe it helps redevelop blighted areas that would not otherwise see private investment, and thereby increases total economic growth in the area. However, serious concerns exist regarding Texas’ use of TIF.
Taxes & Spending
Hijacked: How the Bond Process is Being Used Against Taxpayers
School bonds are one of the main instruments contributing to Texas’s local government debt, which is currently over half a trillion dollars. Key points: As of 2026, school bond debt in Texas is over $236 billion. In May of 2023, Texas passed 79% of the 245 bond proposals put on the ballot, costing taxpayers $22.9...
April 7, 2026