AUSTIN, Texas — Criticism is mounting over the threat to withhold public safety grants from Austin and other major Texas cities, with opponents arguing the move is politically motivated as both the governor and attorney general seek office this year.

“Defunding the public safety for political reasons was wrong when the Democrats did it; still wrong when the Republicans do it,” the former executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Charley Wilkison, wrote on X.

The statement came hours after Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut $2.5 million in public safety funding to Austin. The governor expressed opposition to Austin’s decision to update its policy governing how police handle administrative warrants used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in immigration detentions.

“The city has updated its general orders to align with state and federal law and also to protect the Fourth Amendment of Austin residents who should be free from unlawful search and seizure,” said Austin City Councilmember Mike Siegel.

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Houston and Dallas are also facing similar threats from the governor.

“The statement from the governor’s office was really disappointing and frankly it’s wrong on the law and it’s wrong on what’s good for public safety,” Siegel said.

In a statement provided in response to a request for an interview, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas said, “Law enforcement officers continue to be dragged into political warfare while real public safety issues are ignored.”

The president of the Austin Police Association did not respond to a request for comment regarding the potential impact on officers.

A request for comment to the governor’s office received a previously issued statement from Abbott’s press secretary, which read: “A city’s failure to comply with its contract agreement with the state to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws makes the state less safe. It can have deadly consequences. Cities in Texas are expected to make the streets safer, not more deadly.”

Siegel defended the city council’s position, stating, “I can speak for myself as one of 11 voting members of our city council. We’re not going to sell our values for a couple million dollars in public safety grants.”

In a year of record-breaking tax returns, a new study finds that Texas is seeing the second-largest average returns in the nation. 

Upgradedpoints.com found that the national average is nearly $3,600, but Texas residents are seeing nearly a thousand more than that this year. They used numbers from the IRS in conducting the study. 

Texas-sized tax returns

By the numbers:

In Texas, the average refund was $4,344, slightly below the average in Florida, which leads the nation at $4,433. The state had the second-largest overall filing volume: 13.6 million returns filed and over 9.7 million (71.3%) receiving a refund, the study found.

The Texas county with the highest average return was Shackelford County, located west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, at $7,375. Most wage brackets saw returns closer to average, with those earning $50-$100K per year averaging $4,249. However, their average appears to have been imbalanced by the $200K+ earners, who saw an average refund of $105,163.

What is the penalty for filing taxes late? 

Dig deeper:

The failure to file penalty applies if you didn’t file your tax return by the due date (including extensions). 

By the numbers:

The penalty is 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month that a return is late, up to 25% of the total unpaid, for individuals and most business tax returns, according to the IRS.

You’ll know if you owe a penalty because you’ll receive a notice letter from the IRS. 

2026 tax brackets

Your tax filing could also look different next year if your tax bracket is adjusted. Keep that in mind if you plan to switch jobs, or earn or lose some income.

Because of inflation adjustments, income thresholds for the two lowest brackets rose by about 4%, while higher brackets increased by roughly 2.3% compared with 2025 levels.

READ MORE: 2026 tax brackets vs. 2025: Here’s what’s changed, other things to know

2026 tax deduction

For tax year 2026, the standard deduction increased to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rose to $16,100 for tax year 2026, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $24,150.

2027 tax filing season

Consult a tax professional now if you have any questions or concerns about your tax-filing situation come January 2027.