Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Texas

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Low Tax for Whom? California vs Texas

April 1, 2026 • By Cassidy Sheppard

Low Tax for Whom? California vs Texas

California Gov. Gavin Newsom went to Texas recently and claimed: “Texas taxes poor folks more than we tax our richest." He’s right.

Local Governments Are Increasingly Strapped: 2026 Will Bring New Challenges and New Opportunities

2025 saw an intensification of state and local tax fights across the country, as well as growing experimentation with local-option taxes, levies, fees, and tourism taxes aimed at keeping budgets afloat while also navigating political constraints imposed by state legislatures.

State Rundown 1/7: New Year, New Opportunities for Progressive Revenue

As we kick off a new year, several states are facing revenue shortfalls. Some lawmakers are approaching the challenge with sustainable and equitable solutions.

Every Texan: Highest Tax Rates in the State Fall on Texans of Color

December 19, 2025

The income groups paying the highest tax rates in Texas are disproportionately Hispanic and Black, whereas the lowest-taxed group (the wealthiest 5%) is predominantly white. Read more.

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Texas Property Tax Plan Mimics California’s Damaging Prop 13

December 19, 2025 • By Neva Butkus, Rita Jefferson

Texas Property Tax Plan Mimics California’s Damaging Prop 13

This proposal would disrupt the state’s housing market and jeopardize local revenues while doing very little to help workers and families struggling to pay their property tax bills – just as Prop 13 did in California.

State Rundown 12/17: Tax Policy ‘Naughty or Nice’ List Has Late Entrants

With a little over a week left, some states are solidifying their spots on the tax policy “naughty or nice” list.

State Rundown 12/10: ‘Tis the Season to Reclaim Lost Revenue

property tax debates are taking place throughout the nation.

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State Rundown 12/3: Property Tax Cuts and Deficits

December 3, 2025 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 12/3: Property Tax Cuts and Deficits

States are increasingly facing difficult choices as revenues stagnate and deficits come clearer into focus.

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States Are Opening a Pandora’s Box of Data Centers

November 19, 2025 • By Page Gray

States Are Opening a Pandora’s Box of Data Centers

State governments are rushing to offer billions of dollars in subsidies to data center construction, apparently without understanding their full costs.