The need for local control and local reform of state retirement systems (figure 2)

October 25, 2016

James Quintero

James Quintero is the policy director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Government for the People campaign. Since joining the Foundation in 2008, Quintero has focused extensively on: state & local government spending, taxes, debt, public pension reform, annexation, and local regulations.

The restoration of local control can allow for fiscally healthy retirement plans for hard-working Texans.

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

K-12 Education

TEFA is a Success. What’s Next?

Texas’ launch of the Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) program has been nothing short of historic. It sends a clear message that families are demanding more control over their children’s education. Within the first 24 hours, more than 42,000 applications poured in, shattering national records for a school choice program rollout. By the time applications closed,...

April 2, 2026

Local Government

Who Were Austin’s Highest Paid Public Employees in 2025?

Last month, the Austin American-Statesman launched an interesting new city salary database that shines a light on the “top-paid city of Austin employees of 2025.” The new details are quite interesting, especially given the city’s own recent admission that “Austin is experiencing a housing affordability crisis”—which is, of course, chiefly driven by government action. Using this tool, it’s obvious that city workers have become numerous and well-compensated. As the Statesman itself notes: “The city of Austin employed 13,567 full-time workers...

March 27, 2026

James Quintero

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Austin’s rising utility fees are taxes by another name

TEFA is a Success. What’s Next?

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