Democrats are less likely to pick on cities the way Republican lawmakers have, observers said. But a fight over housing affordability will test that.
Paul Bettencourt
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2026 Texas Elections
GOP state senators could emerge as last protectors of party power in Texas
Republican state senators will still hold a majority in the Capitol’s upper chamber. They have the ability to significantly weaken the role of the lieutenant governor.
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Texas affordability crisis
Hundreds of thousands of potentially eligible Texas homeowners aren’t claiming their property tax savings
Homeowners aren’t claiming a homestead exemption because they do not know about it or find the process too complicated, experts say.
Posted in
Texas affordability crisis
Texas seniors are getting a huge property tax break. Everyone else is picking up the tab.
State lawmakers passed generous homestead exemptions that have allowed some 60% of Texas homeowners age 65 and up to pay $0 in school property taxes.
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State Government
Texas DPS’ voter registration problems were flagged months before notice went out to local election officials
County elections administrators have received at least 500,000 applications that need to be processed before Monday’s registration deadline.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Key GOP lawmaker says state should have caught error that delayed at least 178,000 Texas voter registrations
Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott, who appoints the state’s top election official and is locked in a tight race in November, hasn’t commented on the error.
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State Government
Texas cities eye property tax hikes, spending cuts amid yawning budget gaps
Rising costs, slowing tax revenue and a sluggish economy have saddled some of Texas’ biggest cities with multimillion-dollar deficits.
Posted in
Data Centers in Texas
San Marcos becomes the first Texas city to ban data centers, testing its local control
As Texas counties have faced hurdles to curb the rapid growth of data center developments, cities could have more success with banning them through their zoning laws, land experts say.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas lawmakers want fixes to statewide voter registration system ahead of midterms
The system has been riddled with problems since it was updated last year. Some lawmakers and election officials want it fixed by November.
Posted in
State Government
Texas takes over voter registration in Val Verde County amid struggles
The secretary of state is using a law that was originally written to focus on problems in Harris County.
