Megan Kimble

1 month ago | star-telegram.com | Megan Kimble |Liz Teitz

Texas lawmakers agree now is the time to invest billions into the state's water infrastructure. But a rift is emerging over whether to pump most of the money into costly projects to secure "new" water, like desalination plants or pipelines from other states, or into the more mundane work of repair, like shoring up San Antonio's leaky pipes that lose billions of gallons a year.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Megan Kimble

Texas lawmakers agree now is the time to invest billions into the state's water infrastructure. But a rift is emerging over whether to pump most of the money into costly projects to secure"new" water, like desalination plants or pipelines from other states, or into the more mundane work of repair, like shoring up Houston's leaky pipes that lose billions of gallons a year.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Megan Kimble

Ahead of this year's legislative session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked state lawmakers to look for ways to "secure Texas" against the plight of people illegally occupying residential spaces. Gov. Greg Abbott also promised to tackle "the increasing problem that we face in the state caused by squatters."But the legislation that emerged has little, if anything, to do with what housing experts typically think of as squatting.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Megan Kimble

The Texas House and Senate have introduced proposals to enact new property tax cuts, setting up a duel over how to best distribute $3.5 billion of the state's surplus to homeowners and businesses. A House committee is considering a proposal to reduce tax rates across the board and increase exemptions for businesses, weeks after the Senate unanimously passed a bill that focuses on relief for homeowners by raising the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000.

1 month ago | houstonchronicle.com | Megan Kimble

The insurance industry pushed back this week against state lawmakers' efforts to require an explanation anytime providers cancel or refuse to renew a Texas homeowner's policy. It comes as a growing number of property owners in the Houston area, and across Texas, report soaring insurance costs or losing their coverage altogether. "When insurers have to justify their actions, it enables the legislature to better address issues," said state Sen.