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Joshua Fechter is the Dallas-based urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune, covering policy — including housing affordability, housing and property taxes, evictions, policing and transportation — and politics in Texas' major metropolitan areas. Before joining the Tribune in August 2021, Joshua covered City Hall for the San Antonio Express-News. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
House and Senate lawmakers plan to spend at least $6 billion on property tax cuts, but haven't yet agreed on how much relief should go to homeowners over businesses. Full Story
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Officials said the state’s higher cost of living means less state sales tax revenue, which makes up more than half of the state budget. Full Story
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Lawmakers will debate how to spend $3.5 billion in proposed tax cuts, a legislative priority for Republican leaders. Full Story
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Supporters hope easing zoning rules will entice landlords to renovate and ease the state’s housing crisis. Full Story
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The marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next. Full Story
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Local officials, school advocates and tax policy experts said such a proposal could have dire impacts on basic services. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott said cutting taxes is a top priority, however, state lawmakers don’t have as much money to plug into tax cuts as they did two years ago. Full Story
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Texas cities, counties, higher education institutions and nonprofits clambered Tuesday to gauge the potential fallout from the suspension, later blocked temporarily by a federal judge. Full Story
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A massive apartment building boom in the Austin-Round Rock region has driven rents downward, real estate experts and housing advocates have said. Full Story
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The growth is fueling higher rents and home prices in the North Texas city that was once seen as a more affordable option to Dallas and other major cities. Full Story
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