Latest Contributions

• Austin will now allow more homes to be built on single-family lots

  By Joshua Fechter Dec. 7, 2023

  City officials hope that allowing up to three units per lot will increase supply and slow the explosive increase in housing costs. The measure was approved by Austin City Council in a 9-2 vote late Thursday night. Full Story 

• As offices sit empty and housing costs soar, some Texas developers are converting workspaces into apartments

  By Joshua Fechter Dec. 6, 2023

  Not every downtown high-rise is a good fit for an office-to-housing conversion, but some officials and developers see benefits in turning unused space into new residential units. Full Story 

• More than 765,000 older Texans are struggling to cover housing costs

  By Joshua Fechter Updated: Nov. 30, 2023

  A new Harvard University study found an increase in the number of Texas households headed by people 65 or older spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Advocates say keeping older adults housed will require substantial public investment and reforms. Full Story 

• Despite strong economy, Texas cities grapple with excess office space

  By Joshua Fechter Nov. 29, 2023

  As remote and hybrid working become the new normal, major Texas cities are facing a decline in office tenants. It’s too soon to tell what that means for the vitality of downtowns. Full Story 

• Texas appeals court weighing whether state bar can discipline Ken Paxton for challenging 2020 presidential election

  By Joshua Fechter Nov. 15, 2023

  The legal battle stems from the attorney general’s unsuccessful 2020 lawsuit that leaned heavily on discredited claims of election fraud in other states. Paxton’s lawyers argue that the bar’s lawsuit is an attempt to control how he runs his office. Full Story 

• Longtime U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess will not seek reelection

  By Joshua Fechter Nov. 13, 2023

  Burgess, a Dallas-area Republican who comes from a family of doctors, was a key critic of Democratic efforts to overhaul the country’s health care system. Full Story 

• Texas homeowners and businesses will get a tax cut after voters approve Proposition 4

  By Joshua Fechter and Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 7, 2023

  The $18 billion property tax-cut package is aimed squarely at lowering school district property taxes, which make up the lion’s share of a Texas landowner’s property tax bill. Full Story 

• In Houston mayoral race, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and state Sen. John Whitmire head to a runoff

  By Joshua Fechter and Alejandro Serrano Updated: Nov. 8, 2023

  The two well-known Democrats led a crowded field, but neither captured a majority of the vote. The runoff will be Dec. 9. Full Story 

• To fight climate change and housing shortage, Austin becomes largest U.S. city to drop parking-spot requirements

  By Joshua Fechter Updated: Nov. 2, 2023

  Affordable housing advocates, developers and climate activists say rules requiring a minimum amount of parking spaces on new projects drives up construction costs and enables a dependency on vehicles to get around town. Full Story 

• In crowded field, Houston mayor's race centers on prominent Democrats Sheila Jackson Lee and John Whitmire

  By Patrick Svitek and Joshua Fechter Updated: Oct. 27, 2023

  Jackson Lee has sought to rally her party’s base, vowing to stand up to “MAGA Republicans.” Whitmire has relied on a more bipartisan coalition while also defending his Democratic credentials. Full Story