07-03-2025
Lawmaker files bill to move state agencies out of Austin, save taxpayers money
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the state of Texas looks to crack down on wasteful spending, one area that's under the microscope is real estate.
During the first ever Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency, committee members discussed cost savings from rental and government owned properties.
'We have tried to eliminate unnecessary contracts,' said Brian Guthrie, director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. 'We have also eliminated lease space. We have purchased new headquarters outside of the downtown area.'
Some committee members questioned why some buildings couldn't be moved outside of the Austin though.
'Is there any reason y'all did not look any further outside of Austin? In Waco, or Huntsville, Houston?' said State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park.
These same questions have crossed Sen. Mayes Middleton's mind as well and that is why he filed SB 1004 to move state agencies out of Austin.
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'For a long time I have had this idea,' Middleton said. 'Why not move them to lower cost real estate around the state?'
Middleton said the move could save taxpayers millions and create opportunities for people living in different regions of the state.
'It would create jobs in rural Texas that are not there right now,' he said.
Middleton said lawmakers would determine if the agency needs to move when the agency comes before the Sunset Advisory Commission for review.
'And as they come up we would determine how much they are spending either in rent or the value of the office building they are in here near the capitol,' he said. 'Then compare that to moving them outside of Austin and what that rent, or buying real estate in a lower cost area would be.'
At the end of the day he said it's all about cutting costs and saving taxpayers money, but also giving more opportunities to those living outside the Capital city.
'We have had an incredible difficulty attracting state workers to work for our state agencies and I think it would resolve that issue,' Middleton said.
The bill will now be reviewed by the Business & Commerce committee.
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