According to the Housing Reports conducted by the Texas Comptroller’s Office, one of the leading causes of the housing affordability crisis is a matter of supply. Zoning regulations in many major metropolitan areas
have created an artificial scarcity of houses, which in turn drives up the costs of housing. With this in mind, in order to solve the housing affordability crisis without pouring billions of dollars into subsidized housing, unnecessary zoning restrictions must be removed. Eliminating these restrictions will create opportunities for developers to respond to the real demand of consumers. SB 854 is one of a series of bills filed in the 89th legislative session aimed at prohibiting municipalities from
adopting zoning regulations that would throttle the development of housing. Specifically, SB 854 would prohibit cities from adopting ordinances that would prohibit the development of housing on religious land.
Border Security
Rep. Hefner: Property taxes, security, and local reforms top priorities for next session
In a recent interview on The Arena with Greg Sindelar, State Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, offered a candid look at his East Texas roots, legislative record, and priorities as Texas heads toward its 90th legislative session. Hefner, who represents a deeply conservative district in Northeast Texas, traced his path to public office back to...
May 1, 2026