The Texas Public Policy Foundation is at the forefront of a broad reexamination of the criminal justice system by advocates of policies that emphasize limited government and personal responsibility. There is an increased recognition that policymakers must think outside the cell and embrace approaches that reduce crime, restore victims, reform off enders, and control costs to taxpayers. Policymakers must also rein in the ever-growing body of criminal law so it focuses on its traditional mission of addressing serious wrongdoing that harms individual victims and degrades neighborhoods.
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