Joshua Fechter

Texas cities and counties already face limits on how much revenue they can generate. Local leaders have warned that further restrictions would mean fewer services like parks and libraries.

While Ken Paxton did not allege any wrongdoing, his move is intended to enforce a new law that prevents cities from raising property taxes if they fail to follow transparency requirements.

The governor must first win over lawmakers who have rejected similar proposals. The state may have to backfill more than $17 billion for school funding alone.

As the state’s population grows, more travel options are needed in rural and smaller urban areas and between major cities, according to a draft of the first-of-its-kind plan.

Even voters in Austin, one of the state’s most liberal cities, shot down a measure to raise property taxes.

Tuesday’s vote is part of a push by Texas lawmakers to rein in the state’s high property taxes.

A lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges that dozens of Dallas’ city ordinances violate the 2023 “Death Star” law.

Economic uncertainty, inflation, strict state limits on property tax collections and uncertainty around future federal funds have crimped local budgets.

Despite efforts by Texas lawmakers to ease property tax bills, increases in expenses like insurance and utilities ate into that tax relief.

Suburban officials in the Dallas-Fort Worth region have enacted rules aimed at curtailing a sweeping new state law to allow more apartments.

The House refused to back a bill that would apply only to the state’s largest cities.