Most of the land in Texas is privately owned. It’s a bragging point for many state officials, and it’s the way things ought to be in this land of freedom and opportunity.
The state, however, owns plenty of property — some 13 million acres, according to the General Land Office. Some of that land is along the GulfCoast, which the state claims under the Texas Open Beaches Act. Some is kept undeveloped, with many parcels made available for hunters who buy public land permits, and some is utilized for government business, including state offices, museums and educational institutions.
It stands to reason that public land should remain available to the public; otherwise, should the state even hold it, and taxpayers even maintain it?
Many people will say yes. Much of the government-owned undeveloped property is leased to private entities, such as oil and gas companies for drilling. The Texas Constitution mandates that the proceeds of such leases benefit the Permanent School Fund to support public education in the state.
But as our state and national energy industries move away from oil and gas toward renewable sources, it’s worth asking how much longer, or whether, such leases will remain valuable to the state, or whether officials should consider selling off some of that land.
State Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-Edinburg, has filed a bill that would sanction a study regarding the possible lease of state-owned property for private use. House Bill 1495 specifically addresses the use of state-owned buildings, but perhaps it could inspire a more comprehensive study of all state lands, their use and future value.
The bill asks the Texas Facilities Commission, along with the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to study the possibility of opening up auditoriums, concert and practice halls and other assets for public leases.
In a release, Guerra noted that “it is getting harder and harder to rent space for performances and rehearsals because property costs are skyrocketing.”
“It’s a win-win; the state could potentially bring in additional revenue, and our communities would experience more art,” he continued.
The idea has merit. Such a study could estimate the potential revenue such rental could bring in against liability costs and the additional expenses heavier use could incur. They also should seek ways to ensure that the desire for revenue doesn’t compromise the buildings’ original intent. For example, a university’s students shouldn’t lose access to a facility simply because the institution can make a few bucks by renting it out.
Moreover, a similar study could review all state holdings to determine the costs, risks and benefits of holding on to the properties or selling them if state ownership is unnecessary or if the cost of maintaining a property, including providing security, staffing and other factors, outweigh any public benefit.
Any effort to reduce the burden on Texas taxpayers warrants review, and that includes raising revenue through the use of public holdings or selling them if they’re not needed.
