The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ban on homeless encampments. Here’s what it means for Texas.
The ruling comes amid a nationwide surge in homelessness as high rents put pressure on low-income households and pandemic-era protections expire. Full Story
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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.
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![Downtown Dallas Security Sgt. Shannon Delony wakes up a homeless man outside of the Dallas Public Library on Thursday, July 21, 2022.]()
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Kinky Friedman, provocative satirist and one-time gubernatorial candidate, dies at 79
Friedman launched a boisterous campaign for governor in 2006, decades after forming the band Kinky Friedman and The Texas Jewboys. Full Story
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![Kinky Friedman is shown at his Medina ranch on Dec. 12, 2013.]()
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Lina Hidalgo receives ethics fine after endorsing a primary candidate at a Harris County press conference
The $500 fine from the Texas Ethics Commission comes after the agency found the Harris County judge broke state campaign laws barring use of government resources for political purposes. Full Story
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![Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks to attendees during a Get Out the Vote Rally hosted by the Asian American Democrats of Texas in Asiatown on Oct. 15, 2022.]()
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As more Texans struggle with housing costs, homeownership becoming less attainable
A new housing report from Harvard University found that would-be homebuyers need to make more money than ever if they want to buy a home in Texas’ urban areas. Full Story
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![Construction workers build houses in the new Teravista neighborhood in Georgetown, TX on May 18, 2016.]()
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With new platform, Texas Democrats may find common ground with Republicans on housing affordability crisis
The Democrats’ recently approved platform includes calls to loosen zoning rules, which housing experts believe contribute to high housing costs. Full Story
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![An apartment complex in downtown Waco on Feb. 26, 2019.]()
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Austin enacts sweeping reforms to cut down housing costs
City leaders and advocates hope reducing the size of lots used to build homes will increase housing supply. Full Story
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![An attendee listens and takes notes as people testify during an Austin city council meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Austin. Attendees spent hours at Austin City Hall as the council went through numerous testimonies.]()
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Dade Phelan directs House leaders to revisit vouchers, property taxes in the next legislative session
The Beaumont Republican issued his interim charges even as it remains unclear whether he’ll be reelected. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks with other representatives during a special legislative session at the state capitol in Austin on Nov. 17, 2023.]()
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Texans get their first crack at electing the people overseeing the state’s complicated property appraisal process
In the state’s larger counties, voters can now elect people to the agencies that appraise property values. Full Story
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![Some Texans will soon have a say in who sits on their tax appraisal boards.]()
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Texas Republicans have tried to rein in property taxes for five years. Has it worked?
Texas has spent billions of dollars to drive down property taxes. Many homeowners saw a significant tax cut last year, per a Texas Tribune analysis. Full Story
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![An aerial view of homes near Interstate 45 in Houston, on Sept. 16, 2019.]()
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Harris County prosecutor hands criminal case into Lina Hidalgo’s staffers over to state attorney general
Hidalgo’s staffers were indicted on felony charges related to how they allegedly helped award an $11 million contract to a political consulting firm headed by a Democratic strategist. Full Story
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![Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg speaks during a press conference regarding corruption in Lina Hidalgo’s staff at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune