While the Legislature has improved the franchise process, it has left franchise fees at high levels. So while the process is now more efficient, consumers still pay fees that providerevenues for cities far above what it costs to manage the public ROW.
Local Government
Texas Gave Cities a Tool for More Housing Affordability. Some Are Throwing It Away.
Housing affordability is one of the Lone Star State’s – and greater Houston’s – most pressing challenges. Recent estimates suggest Texas’ statewide housing shortage exceeds 300,000 homes, applying upward pressure on rents and prices in ways that squeeze working households, young families, and seniors looking to downsize. The gap is especially severe for first-time homebuyers,...
August 7, 2026