Bond elections

The Columbus City Council approved a November ballot measure seeking voter approval for $1.9 billion of triple-A-rated general obligation bonds.

Mayor Mike Johnston, who announced furloughs and a hiring freeze, said an economic downturn spurred by President Donald Trump is major challenge for the city.

Some bills seeking to restrain local government debt issuance are still alive as the Texas Legislature's 2025 session heads towards its home stretch.

Among the defeated referendums were three for bonds totalling $146 million.

The up to $385 million of sales and use tax revenue bonds will finance sewer projects to address sanitary system overflows under a federal consent decree.

The $839.5 million Harris County Hospital District bond sale will tap $2.5 billion of voter-approved debt authorization for a $3.2 billion expansion project.

Fiscal 2026 general fund revenue for the city, which is considering a November bond election, is expected to be flat amid economic uncertainty fueled by tariffs.

Bills have been introduced to eliminate the May election option for local bond and tax propositions, forcing them onto the November general election ballot.

Legislation signed into law will place $500 million of general obligation bonds and a constitutional amendment for economic development districts on the ballot.

Issuers in the eight-state region sold $103.3 billion of bonds last year, with Texas deals accounting for $68.13 billion of the debt.