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Local Government
See how local governments are stepping up across Texas to give taxpayers like you a transparent look at where your money goes. Who has an online budget? Who shows detailed expenses? Who is setting the standard?
We're tracking just how transparent cities, counties, school districts and other special districts across the state handle your hard-earned dollars.
Cities
Most Texans live and work in urban, suburban or exurban areas. And most of the local services and programs they use come through municipal governments.
Counties
Counties represent another major type of local government. While they vary widely in size and population, all counties perform the same basic functions.
Public Education
Public and higher education together constitute the largest category of state spending by far, accounting for 37.6 percent of all state appropriations and 52.8 percent of general revenue spending in the 2016-17 biennium.
Special Purpose Districts
These autonomous, quasi-governmental entities are proliferating across Texas, especially in fast-growing areas. The districts tax residents to provide a variety of public services.