Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson switches to Republican Party
Though the mayor’s position in Dallas is technically nonpartisan, Johnson joins Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker as one of two Republican mayors to lead a major Texas city. 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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![Moderator Chad Hasty speaks with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson about his second-term agenda and partisanship at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 22, 2023.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Austin will try again to tame its housing affordability crisis with zoning reforms. Can it do it this time?
The city’s decades-long battle to overhaul local rules to allow more, denser housing to be built may be reaching a turning point. Full Story
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![Protesters hold signs and gather at the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility in support of affordable housing on Aug. 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
Trump congratulates Paxton on “Texas sized” impeachment victory
“This was the right outcome,” U.S. Ted Cruz said, while Gov. Greg Abbott said he looked forward to continuing to work with the attorney general. Full Story
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![Supporters cheer as former president Donald Trump steps off the plane to the podium at his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas on Mar. 25, 2023.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribune -
“Let’s clean house”: Paxton tells supporters to lead charge in removing his Republican rivals who impeached him
Paxton named House Speaker Dade Phelan, a fellow Republican, in his brief remarks Saturday in North Texas. The suspended attorney general faces a trial Tuesday that would remove him from office permanently. Full Story
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![Suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a Collin County Labor Day picnic in Plano, on Sept. 2, 2023, just days before his impeachment trial.]()
Credit: Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribune -
Judge declares new Texas law that would erode cities’ power to enact local rules unconstitutional
A state law backed by Gov. Greg Abbott and business lobbying groups to stop cities and counties from passing progressive policies is scheduled to take effect Friday. A Travis County judge declared it unconstitutional. Full Story
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![A members of Fe Y Justice Worker Center holds a sign in protest to HB-2127 during a press conference at Houston’s City Hall. Friday July 14, 2023.]()
Credit: Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune -
Can Ken Paxton be forced to testify at his impeachment trial?
Lawyers for the suspended attorney general argue that compelled testimony would violate Paxton’s rights, but House impeachment managers disagree. The issue may be settled shortly after his trial begins. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to his supporters after being sworn into office on January 10, 2023. At left are state Sen. Angela Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo takes leave of absence to treat depression
Hidalgo said she was diagnosed with the condition last month and aims to return to her post in September. More people across the country have been diagnosed with the condition since the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
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![Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks on stage at a protest of the NRA Annual Meeting Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House and Senate reach a deal on how to cut property taxes
The deal would channel $12 billion to reduce the school property tax rate for homeowners and business properties, increase the homestead exemption, and create a pilot program to reduce taxes on certain residential and commercial properties. The legislation is expected to pass later this week. Full Story
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![A roofing crew begins to shingle a home under construction in the new Pavilion Park housing development on March 14, 2022 in north Midland.]()
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Texas bans homeowners’ associations from discriminating against renters who receive federal housing aid
State lawmakers passed the law after a North Texas homeowners’ association barred landlords from renting to Section 8 tenants. Most of the affected tenants in that neighborhood were Black. Full Story
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![Clouds roll through the sky over the Providence Creek Village neighborhood in Providence Village, Texas on Thursday, June 30, 2022.]()
Credit: Emil Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
As Texas lawmakers tussle over property tax relief, it’s unclear whether renters will benefit
Texas’ top Republicans are fighting over how to split property tax cuts between businesses and homeowners. Democrats want renters to see relief, too. Full Story
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![An aerial view of the Kelly Village housing complex in Houston on Sept. 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune