Texas has more roadway miles than any other state. Over a quarter of Texas’ 302,000 miles of public roads is state owned. From 1990 to 2003, the demand for roads in Texas increased 13 times faster than the state’s road system increased in capacity. As a result, travel delay due to congestion in Texas increased from 750 million hours per year in 1982 to 3.6 billion hours in 2000. Combine these road-demand statistics with the fact that over half the state’s population lives in ozone nonattainment pollution zones, and it becomes clear that Texas faces serious transportation problems needing solutions.
Local Government
Examining Local Government Spending Trends From 2014 to 2023
City and county spending has outpaced growth in population and inflation, leading to an increase in the tax burden on Texan taxpayers. Key points: Local government spending continues to outstrip increases in both population and inflation. From 2014 to 2023, local government spending rose by 61.2%, whereas population and inflation increased by only 42.7%. Elevated...
March 6, 2026