https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/joshua-fechter/The latest news by Joshua Fechter.enFri, 30 Jun 2023 13:03:32 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/texas-supreme-court-greg-abbott-covid-masks/Several of Texas’ largest cities sought to put in place mask requirements, which Gov. Greg Abbott overturned. The ruling is a legal win for Republicans in Austin their ongoing symbolic fight with cities, often run by Democrats.Joshua FechterFri, 30 Jun 2023 13:03:32 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/texas-supreme-court-greg-abbott-covid-masks/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court gave Abbott a victory in his fight with urban-area leaders over mask mandates.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. Gov. Abbott was adamant that despite rising cases and deaths, he will not be ordering any shutdowns. Gov. Abbott also said he has not received the vaccine, but he will take it when the time comes.Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-legislature-tax-cut-plan/A stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday.Joshua Fechter, Karen Brooks Harper and James BarragánWed, 28 Jun 2023 15:35:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-legislature-tax-cut-plan/Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-property-tax-cuts-legislature/Top Republicans promised property tax cuts, but have been locked in standoffs on how to achieve it. Gov. Greg Abbott has called another overtime legislative session in hopes of solidifying a plan.Joshua FechterWed, 28 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-property-tax-cuts-legislature/A house in the Windsor Park neighborhood of East Austin in 2021. Texas lawmakers have failed to reach an agreement on how to provide property tax relief so far this year. They're back in Austin for a second special session that began Tuesday.A house in the Windsor Park neighborhood of East Austin on Nov. 22, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/texas-senate-property-taxes-cuts/The Senate’s latest proposal is an apparent effort to appease Gov. Greg Abbott and the lower chamber. The state’s top Republicans have been at odds for months over how to use the state’s historic budget surplus to cut property taxes.Joshua FechterTue, 20 Jun 2023 12:53:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/texas-senate-property-taxes-cuts/A home in a Houston neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2022.A home in a Houston neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2022.Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/07/texas-republicans-cities-local-control/Lawmakers delivered Gov. Greg Abbott a long-sought bill to stop local governments from enacting local laws that exceed state law on a number of fronts.Joshua FechterWed, 07 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/07/texas-republicans-cities-local-control/An aerial view of downtown Houston from Interstate 45 on Sept. 16, 2019.An aerial view of homes near Interstate 45 in Houston, on Sept. 16, 2019.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/01/texas-property-tax-cut-benefits/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.Joshua Fechter and Karen Brooks HarperThu, 01 Jun 2023 17:41:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/01/texas-property-tax-cut-benefits/Homes in Austin’s Mueller development.A number of homes an Austin's Mueller development have added solar panels, thanks to hefty local and federal incentives.Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/texas-special-session-property-taxes/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.Joshua Fechter, Uriel J. García and Alex NguyenTue, 30 May 2023 16:49:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/texas-special-session-property-taxes/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recaps the 2023 regular legislative session with Sherry Sylvester, distinguished senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, at TPPF headquarters in downtown Austin on May 30, 2023.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recaps the 88th Legislative Session with Sherry Sylvester, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, at TPPF Headquarters in downtown Austin, on May 30, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/texas-legislature-property-tax-cuts/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.Joshua FechterMon, 29 May 2023 18:55:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/texas-legislature-property-tax-cuts/A view of an East Austin neighborhood.An East Austin neighborhood.Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/28/texas-legislature-republican-bills-deadline/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.Jolie McCullough and Joshua FechterSun, 28 May 2023 10:44:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/28/texas-legislature-republican-bills-deadline/The Texas Capitol in Austin is seen behind parking garage lights on the evening of April 18, 2023.The state Capitol in Austin is seen behind parking garage lights on the evening of April 18, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-budget-compromise/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.Karen Brooks Harper and Joshua FechterThu, 25 May 2023 13:57:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-budget-compromise/The state Capitol in Austin on Feb. 9.The state Capitol in Austin on Feb. 9, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-housing-crisis/Democrats played a major role in killing legislation aimed at boosting Texas’ flagging housing supply — to the frustration of housing advocates.Joshua FechterWed, 24 May 2023 12:21:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/24/texas-legislature-housing-crisis/An aerial image of a suburban neighborhood in San Marcos on Oct. 18, 2021.An Aerial image of a suburban neighborhood in San Marcos on October 18, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/18/texas-house-senate-property-tax-cuts/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.Joshua FechterThu, 18 May 2023 13:39:46 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/18/texas-house-senate-property-tax-cuts/A construction crew works on a new home in Midland on March 14, 2022.A construction crew works on a new home on March 14, 2022 in Midland.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/15/texas-legislature-local-control/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.Joshua Fechter and Alex NguyenMon, 15 May 2023 19:24:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/15/texas-legislature-local-control/The Austin skyline on July 13, 2022.The Austin skyline on July 13, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/15/texas-house-property-taxes-appraisal-cap/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.Joshua FechterMon, 15 May 2023 17:19:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/15/texas-house-property-taxes-appraisal-cap/A home in the Acres Homes neighborhood in Houston on Dec. 14, 2022.A home in a Houston neighborhood on Dec. 14, 2022.Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/07/Allen-community-reacts-to-mall-shooting/After mall shooting, residents of the Dallas suburb are experiencing familiar rituals: mourning, anger and despair.Joshua Fechter and Sneha DeySun, 07 May 2023 21:25:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/07/Allen-community-reacts-to-mall-shooting/Allen community members pray at Cottonwood Creek Church during a vigil on May 7, 2023, to mourn the lives of eight killed during a shooting at the local outlet mall a day earlier. Hundreds paid their respects, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano.Community members pray during a vigil to mourn the lives of the eight victims of the Allen Premium Outlet mall shooting, at the Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen on May 7, 2023. Hundreds of people attended the vigil to pay their respects, including Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov Dan Patrick and state Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/07/allen-shooting-guns-mental-health/President Joe Biden confirmed Sunday that the gunman used an AR-15 in the attack.Sneha Dey and Joshua FechterSun, 07 May 2023 14:48:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/07/allen-shooting-guns-mental-health/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 28.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during the Texas Rally for Life event at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 28, 2023.Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/06/san-antonio-dallas-fort-worth-mayor-results/The three big-city mayors faced little opposition in their reelection bids.Joshua FechterSat, 06 May 2023 09:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/06/san-antonio-dallas-fort-worth-mayor-results/From left: Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.From left: Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/18/texas-house-local-control/City officials say the full scope of the legislation advanced Tuesday is still unclear, but it would limit their ability to issue worker protections, water restrictions and more.Joshua Fechter, Erin Douglas and Alex NguyenTue, 18 Apr 2023 18:20:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/18/texas-house-local-control/State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, stands on the House floor on May 14. Burrows is the author of a bill that would impose new limits on what Texas cities and counties can regulate.State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, on the House floor on May 14.Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/texas-house-property-taxes-appraisal-cap/House Speaker Dade Phelan has said tightening the appraisal cap is the best way to cut property taxes, but Senate tax-cut proponents, housing experts and business groups predict the move would have dire consequences.Joshua FechterThu, 13 Apr 2023 13:28:54 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/texas-house-property-taxes-appraisal-cap/An East Austin neighborhood in 2017.An East Austin neighborhood.Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/06/chris-hollins-houston-mayor-race/Facing a crowded field, Hollins, who served briefly as Harris County clerk in 2020, announced Thursday he will instead run to be Houston’s chief financial officer.Joshua FechterThu, 06 Apr 2023 10:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/06/chris-hollins-houston-mayor-race/Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins at election headquarters inside the NRG Arena on Oct. 5, 2020. The former elections chief was running for Houston mayor, but dropped his bid.Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins at election headquarters inside the NRG Arena on Oct. 5, 2020.Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune