Joshua Fechter
@joshuafechter.bsky.social
@texastribune.org journalist covering housing, transportation, cities, property taxes & more. Have tips? Email me at [email protected].
NEW: The Texas House is debating a voting map to give the GOP five more seats in Congress.
From Fort Worth to McAllen, here's how Texans could lose clout in D.C. under the new map.
w/ @beregarcia.bsky.social & @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/t... @texastribune.org
From Fort Worth to McAllen, here's how Texans could lose clout in D.C. under the new map.
w/ @beregarcia.bsky.social & @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/t... @texastribune.org
From Fort Worth to McAllen, Texans could lose clout in Washington if GOP changes political lines
The GOP push to redraw the state’s congressional maps isn’t just a partisan move but one that deeply affects how Texans are represented in Congress.
www.texastribune.org
August 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
NEW: The Texas House is debating a voting map to give the GOP five more seats in Congress.
From Fort Worth to McAllen, here's how Texans could lose clout in D.C. under the new map.
w/ @beregarcia.bsky.social & @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/t... @texastribune.org
From Fort Worth to McAllen, here's how Texans could lose clout in D.C. under the new map.
w/ @beregarcia.bsky.social & @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/t... @texastribune.org
Uncertainty spurred by President Donald Trump’s trade policies is having a chilling effect on Texas businesses, business owners tell the Dallas Fed.
A majority of business owners say consumers will ultimately pay the price of higher tariffs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/16/t... @texastribune.org
A majority of business owners say consumers will ultimately pay the price of higher tariffs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/16/t... @texastribune.org
Texas businesses feel the pinch from Trump’s tariffs, Fed survey finds
The higher taxes on imports will shrink Texas businesses’ profits and raise costs for consumers, business owners say.
www.texastribune.org
May 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Uncertainty spurred by President Donald Trump’s trade policies is having a chilling effect on Texas businesses, business owners tell the Dallas Fed.
A majority of business owners say consumers will ultimately pay the price of higher tariffs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/16/t... @texastribune.org
A majority of business owners say consumers will ultimately pay the price of higher tariffs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/16/t... @texastribune.org
New this morning: Fort Worth is now home to 1 million people,
new U.S. Census Bureau data show. DFW is now the only metro area in the U.S. with two cities with 1M people.
But another North Texas city grew faster than anywhere else last year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/t... @texastribune.org
new U.S. Census Bureau data show. DFW is now the only metro area in the U.S. with two cities with 1M people.
But another North Texas city grew faster than anywhere else last year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/t... @texastribune.org
The fastest-growing city in the U.S. is in Texas, and it’s not the one you’re thinking of
With Princeton leading the Texas pack, the state continues to set the pace for the rest of the nation, with seven of the 15 fastest-growing cities.
www.texastribune.org
May 15, 2025 at 12:43 PM
New this morning: Fort Worth is now home to 1 million people,
new U.S. Census Bureau data show. DFW is now the only metro area in the U.S. with two cities with 1M people.
But another North Texas city grew faster than anywhere else last year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/t... @texastribune.org
new U.S. Census Bureau data show. DFW is now the only metro area in the U.S. with two cities with 1M people.
But another North Texas city grew faster than anywhere else last year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/15/t... @texastribune.org
New this morning: Texas homeowners have faced skyrocketing insurance bills over the last few years.
State lawmakers hope to rein in those bills — but they acknowledge there’s only so much they can do to tackle costs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
State lawmakers hope to rein in those bills — but they acknowledge there’s only so much they can do to tackle costs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas lawmakers want to lower homeowners' insurance costs, but have few options
Texans pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country, putting lawmakers under pressure to tackle rising costs.
www.texastribune.org
May 9, 2025 at 2:03 PM
New this morning: Texas homeowners have faced skyrocketing insurance bills over the last few years.
State lawmakers hope to rein in those bills — but they acknowledge there’s only so much they can do to tackle costs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
State lawmakers hope to rein in those bills — but they acknowledge there’s only so much they can do to tackle costs.
www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
Based on preliminary counts, it looks like turnout in Dallas city elections on Saturday was 6.8%, which would be a historic low.
May 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Based on preliminary counts, it looks like turnout in Dallas city elections on Saturday was 6.8%, which would be a historic low.
New this morning: Texas GOP lawmakers may enact stiff financial penalties for cities & counties that adopt progressive policies
The proposal's among a slate of bills aimed at stopping local officials from pursuing those policies www.texastribune.org/2025/05/05/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
The proposal's among a slate of bills aimed at stopping local officials from pursuing those policies www.texastribune.org/2025/05/05/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas Republican lawmakers may “financially handcuff” cities that don’t play by their rules
One proposal would allow the attorney general to sue cities and freeze sales tax revenues for up to 90 days.
www.texastribune.org
May 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
New this morning: Texas GOP lawmakers may enact stiff financial penalties for cities & counties that adopt progressive policies
The proposal's among a slate of bills aimed at stopping local officials from pursuing those policies www.texastribune.org/2025/05/05/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
The proposal's among a slate of bills aimed at stopping local officials from pursuing those policies www.texastribune.org/2025/05/05/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas has a ton of empty office space.
State lawmakers want to make it easier to convert those vacant offices into apartments & condos.
w/ @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
State lawmakers want to make it easier to convert those vacant offices into apartments & condos.
w/ @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas bill could help turn empty offices into housing
Supporters hope easing zoning rules will entice landlords to renovate and ease the state’s housing crisis.
www.texastribune.org
February 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Texas has a ton of empty office space.
State lawmakers want to make it easier to convert those vacant offices into apartments & condos.
w/ @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
State lawmakers want to make it easier to convert those vacant offices into apartments & condos.
w/ @carla-astudi.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
NEW this A.M.: In his bid to curb Texas’ high property taxes, Gov. Greg Abbott wants a high bar for local tax increases
Local officials, school advocates & tax policy experts say Abbott's idea could have dire impacts on basic services
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/10/g... @texastribune.org #txlege
Local officials, school advocates & tax policy experts say Abbott's idea could have dire impacts on basic services
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/10/g... @texastribune.org #txlege
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to set a high bar for local tax increases
Local officials, school advocates and tax policy experts said such a proposal could have dire impacts on basic services.
www.texastribune.org
February 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW this A.M.: In his bid to curb Texas’ high property taxes, Gov. Greg Abbott wants a high bar for local tax increases
Local officials, school advocates & tax policy experts say Abbott's idea could have dire impacts on basic services
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/10/g... @texastribune.org #txlege
Local officials, school advocates & tax policy experts say Abbott's idea could have dire impacts on basic services
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/10/g... @texastribune.org #txlege
NEW this evening: President Trump’s push to freeze federal funds sparks widespread confusion in Texas
Local governments, nonprofits, higher ed institutions & public transit agencies scrambled today to figure out just how deep cuts could go
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/t... @texastribune.org
Local governments, nonprofits, higher ed institutions & public transit agencies scrambled today to figure out just how deep cuts could go
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/t... @texastribune.org
Donald Trump’s push to freeze federal funds sparks confusion in Texas
Texas cities, counties, higher education institutions and nonprofits clambered Tuesday to gauge the potential fallout from the suspension, later blocked temporarily by a federal judge.
www.texastribune.org
January 29, 2025 at 2:40 AM
NEW this evening: President Trump’s push to freeze federal funds sparks widespread confusion in Texas
Local governments, nonprofits, higher ed institutions & public transit agencies scrambled today to figure out just how deep cuts could go
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/t... @texastribune.org
Local governments, nonprofits, higher ed institutions & public transit agencies scrambled today to figure out just how deep cuts could go
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/28/t... @texastribune.org
Austin rents skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic as tens of thousands of new residents flocked there and the region’s job market boomed.
Now, Austin is one of the only major U.S. cities where rents are falling.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/22/a... @texastribune.org
Now, Austin is one of the only major U.S. cities where rents are falling.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/22/a... @texastribune.org
Austin rents have fallen for nearly two years. Here’s why.
A massive apartment building boom in the Austin-Round Rock region has driven rents downward, real estate experts and housing advocates have said.
www.texastribune.org
January 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Austin rents skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic as tens of thousands of new residents flocked there and the region’s job market boomed.
Now, Austin is one of the only major U.S. cities where rents are falling.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/22/a... @texastribune.org
Now, Austin is one of the only major U.S. cities where rents are falling.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/22/a... @texastribune.org
New this A.M.: Buying or renting a home in Texas used to be relatively cheap. But the state's once-lauded housing affordability has slipped.
Here's how state lawmakers may tackle the state's housing affordability crisis this year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Here's how state lawmakers may tackle the state's housing affordability crisis this year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas has a housing affordability crisis. Here’s how state lawmakers may tackle it in 2025.
A likely fight over how much power to take away from local governments may dominate the debate.
www.texastribune.org
January 6, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New this A.M.: Buying or renting a home in Texas used to be relatively cheap. But the state's once-lauded housing affordability has slipped.
Here's how state lawmakers may tackle the state's housing affordability crisis this year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Here's how state lawmakers may tackle the state's housing affordability crisis this year.
www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
This year, I published plenty of work I’m fond of.
But I'm most proud of a pair of stories @carla-astudi.bsky.social & I did diving deep into the roots of the Texas' housing affordability crisis.
A 🧵:
But I'm most proud of a pair of stories @carla-astudi.bsky.social & I did diving deep into the roots of the Texas' housing affordability crisis.
A 🧵:
December 30, 2024 at 4:34 PM
This year, I published plenty of work I’m fond of.
But I'm most proud of a pair of stories @carla-astudi.bsky.social & I did diving deep into the roots of the Texas' housing affordability crisis.
A 🧵:
But I'm most proud of a pair of stories @carla-astudi.bsky.social & I did diving deep into the roots of the Texas' housing affordability crisis.
A 🧵:
NEW: Texas is now home to 31 million people even as population growth slows
Texas added nearly 563,000 residents within the last year, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/19/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas added nearly 563,000 residents within the last year, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/19/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas is now home to 31 million people even as population growth slows
Texas added nearly 563,000 residents within the last year, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show.
www.texastribune.org
December 19, 2024 at 10:05 PM
NEW: Texas is now home to 31 million people even as population growth slows
Texas added nearly 563,000 residents within the last year, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/19/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas added nearly 563,000 residents within the last year, new U.S. Census Bureau estimates show
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/19/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
NEW: The Texas Tribune has for the first time identified where the state has built its border wall.
After three years and $3.1 billion, Texas has erected 50 miles of wall. It’s been built in dozens of fragmented sections, scattered across six counties. apps.texastribune.org/features/202...
After three years and $3.1 billion, Texas has erected 50 miles of wall. It’s been built in dozens of fragmented sections, scattered across six counties. apps.texastribune.org/features/202...
Landowner resistance forces Texas to build wall in remote areas
At least a third of landowners approached by state officials have refused to let wall be built on their properties. That’s forced the state to largely build on ranchland in remote areas, or erect sect...
apps.texastribune.org
December 19, 2024 at 1:53 PM
NEW: The Texas Tribune has for the first time identified where the state has built its border wall.
After three years and $3.1 billion, Texas has erected 50 miles of wall. It’s been built in dozens of fragmented sections, scattered across six counties. apps.texastribune.org/features/202...
After three years and $3.1 billion, Texas has erected 50 miles of wall. It’s been built in dozens of fragmented sections, scattered across six counties. apps.texastribune.org/features/202...
San Antonio’s housing authority plans to “play defense” with the incoming HUD administration
via @sareport.bsky.social www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/s... @texastribune.org
via @sareport.bsky.social www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/s... @texastribune.org
San Antonio’s housing authority plans to “play defense” with new HUD administration
Former state Rep. Scott Turner’s nomination to lead the agency may offer a glimpse of what could be cut from San Antonio’s housing ecosystem.
www.texastribune.org
December 11, 2024 at 5:28 PM
San Antonio’s housing authority plans to “play defense” with the incoming HUD administration
via @sareport.bsky.social www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/s... @texastribune.org
via @sareport.bsky.social www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/s... @texastribune.org
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
High-speed rail efforts in Texas have gained some momentum. The Texas Legislature and Donald Trump may change that.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t...
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t...
High-speed rail efforts in Texas have gained some momentum. The Texas Legislature and Donald Trump may change that.
A yearslong effort to bring high-speed rail to Texas has recently shown signs of life, but state lawmakers have consistently put up roadblocks to keep it from happening.
www.texastribune.org
December 10, 2024 at 3:13 PM
High-speed rail efforts in Texas have gained some momentum. The Texas Legislature and Donald Trump may change that.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t...
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t...
New this morning: High-speed rail efforts in Texas have gained some momentum in the past two years.
The Texas Legislature and the incoming Trump administration may change that.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
The Texas Legislature and the incoming Trump administration may change that.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
High-speed rail efforts in Texas have gained some momentum. The Texas Legislature and Donald Trump may change that.
A yearslong effort to bring high-speed rail to Texas has recently shown signs of life, but state lawmakers have consistently put up roadblocks to keep it from happening.
www.texastribune.org
December 10, 2024 at 3:57 PM
New this morning: High-speed rail efforts in Texas have gained some momentum in the past two years.
The Texas Legislature and the incoming Trump administration may change that.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
The Texas Legislature and the incoming Trump administration may change that.
www.texastribune.org/2024/12/10/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
Texas’ grid operator warned that the state should prepare for extreme cold this winter, but said the state’s main power grid is better equipped than in previous years to withstand a powerful winter storm. www.texastribune.org/2024/12/03/t...
Grid operator says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter
ERCOT says conditions this winter could spark extreme cold, but additional power supply and continued weatherization efforts will lower the risk of power outages.
www.texastribune.org
December 3, 2024 at 8:59 PM
Texas’ grid operator warned that the state should prepare for extreme cold this winter, but said the state’s main power grid is better equipped than in previous years to withstand a powerful winter storm. www.texastribune.org/2024/12/03/t...
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
Texas farmers have been spreading sewage-based fertilizer on their land. It's been promoted as enviro friendly & cheaper than chemical fertilizers. However, farmers say this fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” killed their livestock. For @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/t...
Texas farmers say sewage-based fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” poisoned their land and killed their livestock
The fertilizer was promoted as an environmental win-win for years. An untold number of farmers and ranchers across Texas have spread it on their land.
www.texastribune.org
December 3, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Texas farmers have been spreading sewage-based fertilizer on their land. It's been promoted as enviro friendly & cheaper than chemical fertilizers. However, farmers say this fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” killed their livestock. For @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/t...
Inaugural Bluesky🧵 about Texas' housing affordability crisis:
Home prices and rents here have soared in the last few years.
A big reason: Texas hasn't built enough homes to keep up with the state's robust population growth.
www.texastribune.org/2024/10/30/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Home prices and rents here have soared in the last few years.
A big reason: Texas hasn't built enough homes to keep up with the state's robust population growth.
www.texastribune.org/2024/10/30/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Texas’ housing shortage is getting worse, report says
Texas builds more homes than other states but hundreds of thousands more are still needed, the report said, contributing to higher housing costs.
www.texastribune.org
November 25, 2024 at 11:43 PM
Inaugural Bluesky🧵 about Texas' housing affordability crisis:
Home prices and rents here have soared in the last few years.
A big reason: Texas hasn't built enough homes to keep up with the state's robust population growth.
www.texastribune.org/2024/10/30/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Home prices and rents here have soared in the last few years.
A big reason: Texas hasn't built enough homes to keep up with the state's robust population growth.
www.texastribune.org/2024/10/30/t... @texastribune.org #txlege
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
In Texas, Crypto miners will soon have to register with state and reveal power usage.
via @kaylaguo.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2024/11/25/t...
via @kaylaguo.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2024/11/25/t...
Crypto miners must register with state and reveal power usage under new Texas rule
The Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted the rule amid surging demand for power across the state and a growing crypto mining industry in Texas.
www.texastribune.org
November 25, 2024 at 8:53 PM
In Texas, Crypto miners will soon have to register with state and reveal power usage.
via @kaylaguo.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2024/11/25/t...
via @kaylaguo.bsky.social
www.texastribune.org/2024/11/25/t...
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
Trump's nominee to lead USDA, Brook Rollins, is president of America First Policy Institute, and previously led the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Far-right Texas oil billionaire Tim Dunn is on the board of both think tanks. Heritage/Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts is TPPF's former CEO.
Trump picks Texan Brooke Rollins to lead Agriculture Department
Rollins, who grew up in Glen Rose and once led the Texas Public Policy Foundation, will need Senate confirmation before becoming agriculture secretary.
www.texastribune.org
November 25, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Trump's nominee to lead USDA, Brook Rollins, is president of America First Policy Institute, and previously led the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Far-right Texas oil billionaire Tim Dunn is on the board of both think tanks. Heritage/Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts is TPPF's former CEO.
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
Appears it’s not settled just yet. Last week, a Texas senator filed a new version of the bill. One way to gauge the mainstreaming of anti-trans policy will be if/the degree to which the business community decides to oppose it again.
By 2019, transgender bathroom use was no longer as pressing an issue in Texas conservative circles. Dan Patrick claimed there was no need to try for the bill again, even though nothing had really changed on the issue in those two years.
“I think it’s been settled, and I think we’ve won” he said
“I think it’s been settled, and I think we’ve won” he said
November 19, 2024 at 3:56 AM
Appears it’s not settled just yet. Last week, a Texas senator filed a new version of the bill. One way to gauge the mainstreaming of anti-trans policy will be if/the degree to which the business community decides to oppose it again.
Reposted by Joshua Fechter
For the BlueSky folks: @joshuafechter.bsky.social and I looked at how zoning regulations in Texas that make it harder to build denser types of housing are contributing to the housing shortage.
November 18, 2024 at 4:45 PM
For the BlueSky folks: @joshuafechter.bsky.social and I looked at how zoning regulations in Texas that make it harder to build denser types of housing are contributing to the housing shortage.