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Taxes & Budget

Texas sales tax revenue reaches $4.4 billion in September

Texas collected $4.4 billion in state sales tax revenue in September, an increase of 11.5% compared to September 2025. The increase was driven primarily by strong business spending in mining, construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, and real estate.

Where
Statewide
When
September 2026
Sources
Reported by 3 outlets

Taxes and money

Comptroller Huffines said continued revenue growth puts the Legislature in position to use state surplus to ease tax burdens for homeowners, businesses, and renters.

  • State sales tax revenue$4.4 billion2 3 4
  • Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes$684 million2
  • Oil production taxes$507 million2
  • Motor fuel taxes$337 million2
  • Natural gas production taxes$290 million2

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Texas Comptroller Don HuffinesTexas Comptroller announcing revenue figures
  • Texas Comptroller's OfficeAgency collecting and reporting state sales tax revenue

The facts

  • Texas collected $4.4 billion in state sales tax revenue in September 2026.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • September sales tax revenue increased 11.5% compared to September 2025.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • September collections reflect purchases made in August reported the following month.2
  • Retail trade collections increased 3% from September 2025, below the 3.4% Consumer Price Index increase.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • Restaurant sales tax receipts increased 2.5% from a year earlier.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • Year-to-date sales tax revenue through September totaled $39.6 billion, up 7.8% from 2025.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources
  • Sales tax accounts for 59% of all state tax collections.2 3 4 Stated by 3 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Texas Comptroller Don Huffines Sales tax collections remain above prior-year levels and growth puts Legislature in strong position for property tax relief.3 4
  • Texas Comptroller's Office Most year-over-year growth reflected increased economic activity rather than refund activity differences.2

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

Sources

Outlets: 4 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Texas Revenues In September 11% Ahead Of Last Year Law360 Not rated, October 5, 2026
  2. Texas Sales Tax Revenue Climbs 11.5% in September newsradioklbj.com Not rated, October 6, 2026
  3. Texas state sales tax revenue surges 11.5% in September on strong business spending FOX 26 Houston Not rated, October 6, 2026
  4. Texas state sales tax revenue surges 11.5% in September on strong business spending FOX 7 Austin Not rated, October 6, 2026

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

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FAA restricts unauthorized drones along US-Mexico border

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction barring unauthorized drones along the US-Mexico border up to 400 feet above ground, extending one nautical mile north of the border. The action addresses concerns about illegal drug shipments and cartel drone activity.

Federal Aviation Administration, Issued temporary flight restriction; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stated military will shoot down cartel drones; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Said restrictions will counter cartel drone threats and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas A&M University-Victoria holds investiture ceremony for President Hardigree

Texas A&M University-Victoria held an investiture ceremony Wednesday to celebrate President Christian Hardigree's first year of leadership and the university's first year in The Texas A&M University System. State and federal officials, university system leaders, and higher education representatives attended the event at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.

Christian Hardigree, President of Texas A&M University-Victoria; AJ Louderback, Texas State Representative; Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Senator and 4 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Bexar and Brazoria counties hold county judge races on November 3

Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.

Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas counties prepare election security measures ahead of early voting

County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Body recovered from Lady Bird Lake in Austin

A body was found in Lady Bird Lake near Austin early Friday morning. Police were called for a welfare check after witnesses reported seeing a body floating in the water. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being investigated as a homicide.

Austin Police Department, Investigating death; Austin Fire Department, Assisted with body recovery; Austin-Travis County EMS, Responded and pronounced person dead and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Democratic and Republican Senate candidates report third-quarter campaign fundraising totals

Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.

$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026

James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates

Reported by 5 outletsFound via Google News

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