Latest Contributions

• Gov. Greg Abbott wants the Texas Legislature to rein in investors behind large-scale home purchases

  By Joshua Fechter March 15, 2024

  So-called institutional homebuyers noticeably ramped up home purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. But housing experts point out investors have retreated amid high interest rates. Full Story 

• Facing staggering losses from wildfires, Panhandle ranchers and farmers seek aid to rebuild

  By Joshua Fechter and Neelam Bohra March 5, 2024

  Ranchers have likely lost thousands of cattle in the wildfires, according to some preliminary estimates. Full Story 

• Many homes burned in the Texas wildfires weren’t insured, creating a steep path to recovery

  By Joshua Fechter March 4, 2024

  Rural Texans are more than twice as likely to go without homeowners insurance than their urban peers. Full Story 

• Dallas’ city manager resigns, leaving one more major Texas city without a chief executive

  By Joshua Fechter Feb. 21, 2024

  City Manager T.C. Broadnax resigned amid tensions with city leaders, including Mayor Eric Johnson. Three of Texas’ major cities — Dallas, Austin and El Paso — now have vacancies at the top of their local governments. Full Story 

• Amid high rents, eviction filings in major Texas cities soar above pre-pandemic levels

  By Joshua Fechter Feb. 16, 2024

  Legal aid groups and housing advocates say there simply aren’t enough lawyers to keep up with the sheer volume of eviction filings. Full Story 

• In long-shot bid for GOP nomination, Nikki Haley turns to Texas

  By Joshua Fechter Updated: Feb. 15, 2024

  The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations faces a steep climb in Texas — where she hopes that the state’s deep-pocketed GOP donor class and open primary can help her pick away at Donald Trump. Full Story 

• Texas poised for slower job growth this year, Dallas Fed projects

  By Joshua Fechter Feb. 9, 2024

  Falling consumer activity and uncertainty around the 2024 presidential election could complicate the state’s job growth, a Dallas Fed economist said. Full Story 

• Texans face a bigger burden than ever to pay rent, study finds

  By Joshua Fechter Jan. 25, 2024

  More than half of the state’s 4.2 million renters spend at least 30% of their income on rent and utilities, according to a Harvard University report. Full Story 

• Homelessness in Texas on the rise amid high housing costs, federal estimates show

  By Joshua Fechter Jan. 11, 2024

  Homelessness rose last year across nearly every demographic group, but strides were made to connect people with new housing. Full Story 

• U.S. Department of Justice says it’ll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossing

  By Joshua Fechter Updated: Dec. 28, 2023

  The state has until Jan. 3 to say it won’t arrest people accused of unauthorized entry from Mexico. If not, the Biden administration will sue, saying immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Full Story