/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Joshua_Fechter_TT.jpg)
Joshua Fechter is the urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune, covering policy — including housing affordability, 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.
Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dade Phelan back a plan that spreads property tax relief among all landowners, while Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s proposal would give homeowners a bigger boost than businesses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/SolarPanels_0002_Layer_0.jpg)
The House passed a bill without Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s preferred increase to homestead exemptions — then abruptly adjourned for the special session. That basically tells the Senate to take the House bill Gov. Greg Abbott backs or leave it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1e03e03cce3d8e350d32b03955398314/0530%20Dan%20Patrick%20Lege%20Recap%20EG%20TT%2012.jpg)
After negotiations that became tense and public, the House and Senate fell short of delivering on one of the biggest legislative priorities for Republicans in the regular legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7932b2625ea9780e465f449b5f88007e/Housing%20file%20SK%20TT%2001.jpg)
Rushed agreements and suspended rules rescue legislation on the electric grid and economic incentives for companies, and work is still being done on a property tax proposal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b32b5343626bd30046829e7576cc48bb/0418%20Uvalde%20Testimony%20EL%20TT%2038.jpg)
The proposal would leave billions of anticipated tax revenue untouched at a time when the state has more money coming in than lawmakers are constitutionally allowed to spend. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fec552561e4bf956ae179407192ae557/0209%20Capitol%20File%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
Democrats played a major role in killing legislation aimed at boosting Texas’ flagging housing supply — to the frustration of housing advocates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c5c1b5278853ea256b94df00475d447d/Aerial%20Suburbs%20JV%20TT%2003.jpg)
House lawmakers added a significant boost to the Senate’s proposed homestead exemption and tacked on a contentious idea to lower the state’s appraisal cap. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2b9896fec14cce91add58b2c50fbe4d1/Permian%20Basin%20Oil%20Boom%20EH%20TT%2013.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott and other supporters of the bill have long sought legislation to push back against local regulations that they say hamper business owners and harm the state’s economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/58b5ae48e6cad14839228c4c909d9462/ATX%20Smog%20EL%20TT%2002.jpg)
Both the House and the Senate’s proposals on property tax cuts would give modest savings to the typical Texas homeowner, but critics say the House plan could create vast inequities and disproportionately benefit wealthy homeowners. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2ac70d85c2395ee9b7df4fa98bf02dac/1214%20Community%20Land%20Trust%20OH%20TT%2014.jpg)
After mall shooting, residents of the Dallas suburb are experiencing familiar rituals: mourning, anger and despair. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f5a111314a408599e369fd7348892c28/0507%20Allen%20Shooting%20Vigil%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)