As a matter of policy, the “best” tax is one that does the least possible harm to the economy and to its citizens. With this in mind, lawmakers should continue to focus on delivering tax relief, while shifting from property taxes to consumption-based taxes for the long term.
Taxes & Spending
Austin’s rising utility fees are taxes by another name
Rising utility bills are one of many factors exacerbating Austin’s well-documented affordability crisis. When Austin utility bills went up last winter, many residents probably didn’t even notice — mostly because the increase in fees was hidden by reductions in other costs. But here’s the truth: The city of Austin is squeezing its customers more than they know....
April 2, 2026