New Poll Finds Texans Want Attainable Housing Solutions to Meet Rising Demand
This week, the Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce Foundation (TABCCF) released the results of a new public opinion poll which found that voters in the Dallas-Fort Worth region have serious concerns about the availability and affordability of housing, and broadly support new options to ensure the rapidly growing North Texas community can meet the rising demand.
The poll, conducted by Ragnar Research Partners, surveyed likely voters in Collin, Denton, Dallas, Rockwall, Johnson and Tarrant Counties between January 5- 7. The results reveal that a supermajority of residents – 80% – agree there is a shortage of reasonably priced homes, including a plurality – 40% – who agree the shortage is a “serious problem.”
The poll also demonstrates that voters have general agreement on how Texas should address the shortage. Over 70% of voters support allowing the conversation of empty or underutilized office buildings to residential housing. 69% of voters also said they support allowing large acreage landowners to build homes for different levels of affordability. Additionally, 76% of voters surveyed agreed that it is unfair that only some property owners can change the use of their land.
State leaders have already sounded the alarm on the urgent need to address the emerging housing crisis.
Last August, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar warned that, even with the Legislature’s historic property tax relief and reductions in regulations last session, our state’s housing crisis “remains daunting” and that addressing it will be “key to our continued overall economic health.”
During his recent State of the State address, Gov. Greg Abbott made clear that the Legislature must take steps to make housing more affordable, acknowledging that “we need to make it easier to build, slash regulations and speed up permitting.”
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has prioritized SB 15 to remove barriers to affordable housing.
Writing in the Dallas Morning News after the poll’s release, Texas Association of Business President & CEO Glenn Hamer and Texans for Reasonable Solutions Chair Nicole Nosek said Texas should learn the lessons from California’s housing affordability crisis in order to maintain the state’s superior business environment:
We know that when residents cannot find housing to fit their needs, businesses suffer because they struggle to recruit and retain the workforce they need. Skyrocketing housing costs were a major reason why states like California have hemorrhaged major corporations to states like Texas and Florida in recent years, according to a study by the Hoover Institution, a public policy research center at Stanford University. Will we learn from the housing affordability failures in states like California?
Hamer and Nosek pointed to several “commonsense” solutions to address the housing crisis proactively before it begins to impact Texas’ business climate:
- Texas needs to affirm the fundamental right for property owners in new neighborhoods to build detached townhomes on their own land. In new neighborhoods, Texas landowners with at least five undeveloped acres should have the power to build housing that’s more accessible and meets the needs of their communities — cutting through restrictive regulations and unleashing the full potential of Texas’ housing market.
- In the D-FW area, the TABF poll demonstrated that almost 7 out of 10 support this policy.
- Texas should unlock the full potential of vacant office space on commercial or mixed-use property. Already in the post-pandemic era, we’ve seen more than 13 major projects converting once-dormant office spaces into new housing units. Streamlining and incentivizing these types of projects, as seen through state Sen. Bryan Hughes’ SB 840, would help significantly expand missing middle living options for Texans closer to where they work. A proven model of success can be seen within Florida’s Live Local Act, which unleashed 15,000 new residential units within a year of being enacted.
- Roughly 71% of Texans in the D-FW area support this proposal.
To read the full results of the poll, click here.
Glenn Hamer
President and CEO - Texas Association of Business
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How to Choose the Best Federal Legislative Tracking Software for Your Organization
Every year, thousands of bills move through Congress, and without the right tracking system, teams miss critical information that affects compliance, strategy, and advocacy.
Manual tracking creates gaps.
Teams rely on scattered data, delayed alerts, and inconsistent updates, which makes it harder to stay ahead of policy developments.
Modern legislative tracking tools solve this by centralizing legislative and regulatory data, automating bill tracking, and delivering real-time alerts.
They allow organizations to monitor federal legislation, understand the legislative process, and act quickly when changes occur.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to evaluate legislative monitoring platforms, what features matter most, and how policy management solutions help government affairs teams work smarter.
You will also see how to compare tools, avoid mistakes, and choose a system that fits your organization.
After reviewing your current workflow, you can explore a centralized system like federal legislative tracking software
to improve how your team tracks legislation and responds to policy changes.
What Is Federal Legislative Tracking Software?
Federal legislative tracking software is a system that helps organizations track bills, monitor committee hearings, and follow the full legislative process in one place.
It replaces manual spreadsheets with automated tracking, giving users access to accurate and updated data.
Core Functionality Explained
A strong legislative tracking tool provides:
- Bill tracking across Congress and committees.
- Real-time alerts when bills move or change.
- Search tools to filter legislation by keywords or policy areas.
- Centralized legislative and regulatory data.
Instead of checking multiple sources, users can track bills with just a few clicks.
These systems also:
- Automate legislative tracking across every legislative session.
- Provide bill summaries to quickly understand relevance.
- Deliver alerts when committee hearings or votes are scheduled.
- Help users stay informed about pending legislation and regulatory changes.
Congress introduces thousands of bills each year.
Without automation, tracking becomes inefficient and error-prone.
Why Organizations Need Legislative Monitoring Platforms
Organizations face constant pressure to monitor federal legislation and regulatory developments.
Missing a policy update can impact compliance, operations, and long-term planning.
Key Use Cases Across Industries
Legislative monitoring platforms support different teams across an organization:
- Government affairs teams track policy developments and engage with legislators.
- Public affairs professionals monitor regulatory tracking and advocacy efforts.
- Legal teams follow regulations and compliance requirements.
- Corporations track bills that impact stakeholders and clients.
These tools help organizations:
- Stay ahead of policy changes and regulatory developments.
- Improve response time with real-time alerts.
- Support advocacy and government relations strategies.
- Provide actionable insights for informed decisions.
For example, a public policy manager can monitor policy areas and receive alerts when bills move through committee assignments.
This allows the team to act quickly and ensure their voice is heard during advocacy efforts.
Essential Features to Look For in Policy Management Solutions
Choosing the right legislative tracking tool depends on features that align with your organization and workflow tools.
Real-Time Alerts and Notifications
Real-time alerts are critical for staying informed.
Look for:
- Alerts for bill movements, amendments, and executive orders.
- Email alerts and dashboard notifications.
- Alerts tailored to specific policy areas.
These alerts ensure your team never misses the latest developments.
Advanced Search and Filtering
Search functionality determines how quickly you find relevant results.
Key features include:
- Keyword-based search across legislative and regulatory data.
- Filters by committee, sponsor, and legislative session.
- Ability to track bills across multiple policy areas.
Strong search tools help teams quickly understand what matters.
Data Visualization and Reporting
Advanced reporting turns raw data into useful analysis.
Look for:
- Legislative dashboards that show trends.
- Custom reports for stakeholders and clients.
- Advanced reporting features for deeper analysis.
These features help organizations make informed decisions based on real data.
AI and Predictive Analytics
AI-powered tools are changing how legislative tracking works.
Capabilities include:
- AI-powered insights that summarize bills.
- Predictive analysis of policy changes.
- Detection of trends across legislation.
These tools help policy professionals quickly understand large volumes of data.
Integration Capabilities
Integration improves team collaboration and workflow.
Look for systems that:
- Connect with CRM and internal workflow tools.
- Allow teams to assign tasks and share notes.
- Support team collaboration across departments.
Integration ensures support teams can work together efficiently.
How to Evaluate Federal Legislative Tracking Software
Selecting the right legislative tracking tool requires a clear evaluation process.
Define Your Organization’s Needs
Start by understanding your organization:
- Size of your team.
- Type of legislative and regulatory tracking required.
- Level of engagement in government affairs.
This helps narrow down options.
Compare Features vs Cost
Pricing varies depending on coverage and features.
- Basic tools may cost around $1,000.
- Advanced systems can exceed $5,000.
Focus on ROI rather than price alone.
Assess Data Accuracy and Coverage
Accurate data is essential.
Check:
- Coverage of federal legislation and regulatory data.
- Frequency of updates from Congress.
- Quality of bill summaries and analysis.
to understand how legislative information is structured.
User Experience and Support
User experience affects adoption.
Evaluate:
- Ease of use.
- Onboarding and support.
- Ability for teams to collaborate.
A system should help your team work smarter, not harder.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Legislative Tracking Systems
Many organizations choose tools without fully evaluating their needs.
Choosing Based on Price Alone
Low-cost tools may lack comprehensive coverage and advanced reporting.
Ignoring Integration Needs
Without integration, workflow tools become disconnected.
Overlooking User Adoption
Complex systems reduce productivity and team collaboration.
Not Testing the Platform
Always request demos or trials.
Testing ensures the tool fits your organization and supports your team.
Key Benefits of Using Federal Legislative Tracking Software
Organizations that adopt legislative tracking tools gain a clear advantage.
Improved Decision-Making
Access to real-time data leads to better analysis and informed decisions.
Time Efficiency
Automation helps teams save time by reducing manual research.
Enhanced Compliance
Tracking regulations and policy changes reduces compliance risks.
Strategic Advantage
Organizations can stay ahead of policy developments and act early.
Benefits include:
- Faster response to legislation.
- Better communication with stakeholders.
- Stronger advocacy and government relations strategies.
Future Trends in Legislative Monitoring Platforms
Legislative tracking continues to evolve with new technology.
AI and Machine Learning Integration
AI-powered systems provide predictive insights and deeper analysis.
Increased Automation
Automation reduces manual tracking and improves efficiency.
Data-Driven Policy Insights
Advanced analytics provide actionable insights into policy changes.
Organizations are shifting toward intelligent platforms that combine data, AI-powered tools, and automation.
How to Implement Legislative Tracking Software Successfully
Implementation determines long-term success.
Onboarding and Training
Train your team to use the system effectively.
Define Monitoring Criteria
Set alerts, keywords, and policy areas to track bills.
Integrate with Existing Systems
Ensure smooth workflow integration and team collaboration.
Proper setup helps organizations maximize value and stay informed.
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas hemp businesses have filed suit to block new state regulations they say effectively ban smokeable hemp products and impose licensing fee increases so steep they could force many businesses to close. Yesterday, the Texas House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on the explosive growth of data centers in the state, with interconnection requests on the power grid now exceeding 400,000 megawatts and raising questions about cost, reliability, and water usage. Lastly, nineteen Texas summer camps are challenging a new state mandate requiring them to install fiber optic internet infrastructure, citing costs as high as $1.2 million and arguing the requirement is unworkable for rural properties and does nothing to improve camper safety.
Before you dive in…
USLege will be hosting our first ever Best in Government Affairs Awards Ceremony on April 23rd at Speakeasy in Downtown Austin.
Winners and guests will be treated to evening of celebration for the accomplishments in the 89th Texas Legislative Session.
You can expect music, networking, food & drinks and formal award acceptance.
This is going to be a fun party! We hope to see you there.
»» RSVP HERE: Best in Government Affairs Awards Ceremony hosted by USLege
»» Watch Representative Ken King’s Intro Here ««
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!
Texas Political Spotlight
Happy hour · You’re invited Join us in celebrating. You’re invited to celebrate our founder’s birthday with us for happy hour. RSVP and we’ll send you the details. RSVP to the happy hour → |
Best in Government Affairs · Texas Peer nominated. Peer reviewed. Unlike other awards, next year you have the chance to win. Just nominate someone you would actually want to work with. See photos and winners from the night. See the photos and winners → |
Texas Senate Republican Caucus · Gala & golf tournament Photos from the night. USLege was a sponsor. See the full photo set from the gala and golf tournament. Browse the photos → |
For existing customers Already on USLege? Get a 30-minute walkthrough of what’s new with our wider lens, with your account manager Luke. Book training with Luke → |
This newsletter is AI generated and human reviewed. Strictly nonpartisan. Built on USLege legislative data and verbatim public-record transcripts. Built with the power of USLege. |
USLege, Inc. © 2026 · Austin, TX |
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas hemp businesses have filed suit to block new state regulations they say effectively ban smokeable hemp products and impose licensing fee increases so steep they could force many businesses to close. Yesterday, the Texas House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on the explosive growth of data centers in the state, with interconnection requests on the power grid now exceeding 400,000 megawatts and raising questions about cost, reliability, and water usage. Lastly, nineteen Texas summer camps are challenging a new state mandate requiring them to install fiber optic internet infrastructure, citing costs as high as $1.2 million and arguing the requirement is unworkable for rural properties and does nothing to improve camper safety.
Before you dive in…
USLege will be hosting our first ever Best in Government Affairs Awards Ceremony on April 23rd at Speakeasy in Downtown Austin.
Winners and guests will be treated to evening of celebration for the accomplishments in the 89th Texas Legislative Session.
You can expect music, networking, food & drinks and formal award acceptance.
This is going to be a fun party! We hope to see you there.
»» RSVP HERE: Best in Government Affairs Awards Ceremony hosted by USLege
»» Watch Representative Ken King’s Intro Here ««
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
A federal trial is underway in Texas over whether the state's prison system has done enough to protect inmates from extreme heat, with a price tag of $1.5 billion standing at the center of the debate. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has tasked a new legislative committee with studying whether Texas could absorb one or more counties from New Mexico, a long-shot proposal that has already drawn a sharp response from the neighboring state's governor. A public feud between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock has spilled into federal court, where a judge is overseeing the fallout in a lawsuit alleging religious discrimination in the state's $1 billion ESA Program.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Stay connected with TXLege News on X and LinkedIn!
