Under Texas law, homeowners can claim a homestead exemption only on their primary residence. The GOP Senate candidate registered to vote in Georgia last year.
Joshua Fechter
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.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
Texas energy officials’ proposal to overhaul the power grid is drawing skepticism
In the wake of the deadly 2021 winter storm, the Texas Legislature ordered an overhaul of the state’s power market to prevent future widespread blackouts. But some senators aren’t fans of the main option on the table.
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Health care
For months, almost no one knew Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had cancer
Turner, 68, revealed earlier this month that he underwent treatment for bone cancer in June. He is “cancer-free” as of last week, the mayor told The Texas Tribune during his first interview about his health.
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Energy
State agency proposes changes to power market aimed at averting mass blackouts
The proposal is aimed at making sure power providers and electricity generators have enough power on hand in case of increased demand. But it’s not clear how it would hold up in unexpected weather, an expert said.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo wins tight race for reelection
GOP donors spent millions to unseat Hidalgo, a Democrat who leads the state’s most populous county, and take back a seat they lost four years ago. Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer conceded the race Wednesday morning.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Austin mayor’s race heading to a runoff, Dallas county judge wins reelection
In three key local elections, the Austin mayoral race will be decided in a runoff, Republican Tim O’Hare won the Tarrant County judge race and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins won reelection.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Can Democrats in Tarrant County replicate the success they had in 2018 and 2020?
Democrats hope population growth and Republican infighting will help them win in the state’s third-most-populous county — and finally break through in statewide races.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Lina Hidalgo, a rising Democratic star, faces a tough reelection race to lead Harris County
The Houston region’s high number of homicides, the state’s new abortion ban and a flood of campaign cash have made for a dramatic race to lead the state’s most populous county.
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Criminal Justice
Opponent says Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins wore blackface in 1983 college trespass
GOP candidate Lauren Davis’ campaign surfaced a Waco police report about a prank for which Jenkins apologized in 2010. He says he was only wearing camouflage at the time.
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Economy
With rents rising fast, Texas homeless shelters see more families seeking help
Amid rising housing costs and relentless inflation, an increasing number of Texans are struggling to pay their rent and stay in their homes.
