Have you ever wondered how the State of Texas spends your tax dollars? Good news — this information isn’t hidden, but you do have to know where to find it. In fact, it’s available to everyone online.
This year, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1, the General Appropriations Act for the 2026-27 biennium, authorizing $338 billion in all-funds spending. With that much public money on the table, Texans are right to ask where every tax dollar goes. For this reason, the State of Texas makes its financial data public. So, Texans can see exactly how money is budgeted, spent, and tracked.
Where Your Texas Tax Dollars Go
By exploring these resources, you can follow how the Legislature and Texas state agencies use your tax dollars.
Texas Transparency Portal
The best place to start is the Texas Transparency website, run by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts:
🔗 https://comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/
This site includes several easy-to-use tools. For instance, the “Where the Money Goes” database shows every payment made by state agencies and universities. You can search by agency, vendor, or spending category. In addition, the site provides links to state employee salary data and contract information. Because the Comptroller’s office updates this data regularly, Texans can always see the most current numbers providing valuable insights on state government spending of tax dollars.
Texas Open Data Portal
Another great resource is the Texas Open Data Portal:
🔗 https://data.texas.gov/
This site combines data from many state agencies into one place. For example, you can look up spending by government programs, grant totals, or even environmental and health data. Since most datasets are downloadable, you can create charts or reports of your own. Moreover, the portal is open 24/7, which makes it a great tool for students, journalists, or anyone interested in Texas tax dollar spending.
Legislative Budget Board
To understand plans for public money before it is spent, check out the Legislative Budget Board (LBB):
🔗 https://www.lbb.texas.gov/
The LBB prepares the General Appropriations Act, which is the state’s main budget law. It also publishes the Fiscal Size-Up, a detailed report that explains how Texas raises and allocates money every two years. In addition, you can read fiscal notes that show the cost of proposed bills. Altogether, these documents make it easy to follow the entire budget process from start to finish.
Higher Education Spending
If interested public colleges and universities use of state funds, visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board:
🔗 https://www.highered.texas.gov/
Here you’ll find reports on school budgets, tuition costs, and financial aid spending. Furthermore, the site includes data on how state dollars support different degree programs. By checking this resource, parents and students can see how higher education funding works across Texas.
Local Government Tax Dollars
Transparency doesn’t stop at the state level. Many cities, counties, and school districts in Texas publish their own tax dollar spending data online. You can explore local transparency pages here:
🔗 https://www.texastransparency.org/local/
These sites show how local tax dollars are spent on roads, schools, safety, and public works. As a result, residents can track how their community uses its resources and compare spending across areas.
Public Information Requests about Public Money
Sometimes you might want details about public money already listed online. When that happens, the Texas Public Information Act (PIA) gives you the right to request public records from any state agency. Each agency provides instructions on how to make a request. Usually, you can send a simple email or fill out an online form. Therefore, if you want a closer look at a specific contract or payment, you can ask for it directly.
Why Transparency Matters with Tax Dollars
Open financial data is intended to build trust between Texans and their government. When people can see where their tax dollars go, they’re more likely to feel confident that public officials are spending wisely. Transparency also helps reporters, watchdog groups, and regular citizens spot trends and push for improvements. In short, easy access to spending data keeps government accountable and democracy strong.
Final Thoughts
Texas leads the way in government transparency. With just a few clicks, anyone can follow the flow of public money — from budget creation to final payment. So, take a few minutes to explore these tools, learn how your tax dollars are used, and share what you discover. After all, an informed public helps keep Texas government open, honest, and efficient.
These and other tools such as Texas Legislature Online help tracking the actions of Texas state government. The GovExperts Team stands ready to assist in your Legislative Advocacy and State Business needs.