But during past sessions, lawmakers failed to address metropolitan Texas’ needs.
Texas’ big sky and wide-open spaces are legendary, but as the state’s legislators arrive in Austin for their 88th session, they need to remember Texas is no longer a rural state.
Many of Texas’ problems and its opportunities are the quintessentially urban ones of affordable housing, efficient transportation, social welfare, education and immigration. That is not to say that the issues of rural Texas are not important. They are. And, of course, the Legislature leans Republican while Texas’ biggest cities lean Democratic. A certain amount of political give-and-take between them is inevitable.
Until a few years ago, Texas’ cities enjoyed a huge cost-of-living advantage over their coastal rivals. No more. Prices have skyrocketed. Bold steps are needed to spur more housing construction. State agencies have surplus land in expensive locations that could be used for affordable housing. Instead of using funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act for property tax relief, the state could provide a much-needed boost in affordable housing production.
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