With Princeton leading the Texas pack, the state continues to set the pace for the rest of the nation, with seven of the 15 fastest-growing cities.
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
Texas Legislature 2025
Business tax breaks closer to reality after Texas Senate approves compromise
The Texas House must approve changes to the proposal that were brokered by party leaders. It’s part of a package of bills to bring down property taxes statewide.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas lawmakers want to lower homeowners’ insurance costs, but have few options
Texans pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country, putting lawmakers under pressure to tackle rising costs.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Amid housing affordability crisis, Texas House votes to take some power from NIMBYs
Texas lawmakers have sought to make it easier to build more homes — and harder for neighbors to block projects.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas homeowners could see lower property tax bills if deal from Republican lawmakers passes
Legislators in the House and Senate have reached an agreement on more property tax relief. But some critics worry the cuts aren’t sustainable forever.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Republican lawmakers may “financially handcuff” cities that don’t play by their rules
One proposal would allow the attorney general to sue cities and freeze sales tax revenues for up to 90 days.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Advocates fear Texas lawmakers are about to worsen the state’s homelessness crisis
Republican lawmakers are considering a bill to strengthen the state’s ban on homeless encampments and speed up the eviction process.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas House and Senate lawmakers have laid out their property tax cut proposals. How do they compare?
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.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Why Texas Republicans are trying to rein in high home prices and rents
There’s political urgency for Republicans to deal with housing affordability, especially as surveys find most Texans say housing costs are a top concern.
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Environment
Trump officials cut planning grant for Texas high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said if the private sector wants the rail line, it should cover planning costs.