Local government spending is growing faster than the ideal. In 2000, Texas’ local governments spent a total of $66 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s State and Local Government Finance. By 2015—the latest available data—aggregate local spending had risen to $137 billion, equating to a 108% increase over the period.
While some level of expenditure growth is to be expected— especially in a fast-growing state like Texas—the current trajectory is well above conservative guidelines.