The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s chief economist has calculated that the current franchisetax can be eliminated, and the school property tax cut 25 cents, without creating a new tax. This document is intended to offer a viable alternative to the current CSHB3. Texas PublicPolicy Foundation research shows that business taxes – such as on payroll, gross receipts,business activity, and business income – will negatively affect the Texas economy and slow jobgrowth. This plan includes no tax on business, and eliminates the hated business franchise tax.
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