Texas bond elections often pass with low voter turnout and simple majorities, driving up local debt as a result. Raising voter approval thresholds could protect taxpayers and ensure a stronger consensus for public spending.
Key points:
- Even though tax relief has been funded at the state level, increased debt at the local level has led to higher property tax bills for Texans.
- With 79% of bonds passing in May of 2025, local governments have increased debt across Texas by $13.7 billion in principal alone.
- Under the current simple majority threshold, bond passage rates ranged from 52% to 79%, with costs exceeding $106 billion between May 2023 and May 2025.
- At a 66% threshold, passage rates fell to 13-35%, and costs were approximately $34 billion.
- At a 75% threshold, passage rates were between 2% and 12%, with total costs under $8 billion.
