Texas lawmakers have sought to make it easier to build more homes — and harder for neighbors to block projects.
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
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
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.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas plans to spend $51 billion on property tax cuts. It may not be sustainable.
State budget watchers — and some Republicans — worry Texas is spending too much on property tax cuts.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Republicans take aim at public transit in two major cities
The Texas Legislature is considering bills that transit officials warn could hamper public transportation in the Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth regions.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Senate advances bill to allow smaller homes on smaller lots
Lawmakers, who are preempting locals on lot sizes in new subdivisions, have been eyeing ways to allow more homes to be built as the state faces a shortage.
