As lawmakers consider ways to fund Texas government, some are advocating an expansion of state-run gambling to include video lottery terminals, or VLTs. With some projecting a $2 billion windfall, VLTs are an attractive source of income, but studies indicate the costs may outweigh the benefits. Two background papers are also available; one summarizes the economic impacts of gambling, the other provides the calculations used to identify the additional fiscal cost of VLTs.
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