1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to EXPRESS MY STRONG OPPOSITION TO TX SB15 and urge you to reconsider the long-term consequences of this bill on Texas communities. While increasing housing supply is important, THIS BILL IGNORES THE HARSH REALITIES OF OUR STATE’S ALREADY OVERBURDENED INFRASTRUCTURE AND SHIFTS THE COSTS ONTO TAXPAYERS WHILE DEVELOPERS PROFIT. SB15 WILL OVERWHELM SCHOOLS, UTILITIES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE TEXAS IS ALREADY STRUGGLING TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION, yet SB15 forces cities to allow high-density housing without any plan for HOW SCHOOLS WILL HANDLE THE INCREASED STUDENT POPULATION. Many school districts are ALREADY OVERCROWDED AND UNDERFUNDED—this will only make it worse. Beyond education, OUR WATER SUPPLY IS ALREADY STRETCHED THIN. Many parts of Texas experience SEVERE DROUGHTS AND WATER RESTRICTIONS, yet this bill would CRAM MORE PEOPLE INTO AREAS WITHOUT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE. Who is going to pay for the new pipelines, reservoirs, and treatment plants? And then there’s TRAFFIC CONGESTION, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY. OUR ROADS, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND POLICE FORCES ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND in growing areas. SB15 allows for 31+ HOUSING UNITS PER ACRE with no guarantees that roads, bridges, and transit systems will be expanded accordingly. SB15 STRIPS LOCAL CONTROL WHILE EXEMPTING THE WEALTHY This bill FORCES CITIES TO ALLOW SMALLER LOTS AND HIGHER DENSITY, YET DOES NOTHING TO HOLD DEVELOPERS ACCOUNTABLE for the impact of their projects. It BLOCKS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM REQUIRING SUFFICIENT PARKING, GREEN SPACE, OR FLOOD MITIGATION—all of which cities carefully plan for to prevent urban chaos. Meanwhile, WEALTHIER COMMUNITIES WILL BE ABLE TO “OPT OUT” THROUGH HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION (HOA) RULES AND PRIVATE DEED RESTRICTIONS. This means the burden of increased density will fall ONLY ON MIDDLE- AND WORKING-CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS, worsening inequality while the wealthy remain unaffected. TEXANS WILL PAY THE PRICE WHILE DEVELOPERS PROFIT Cities rely on careful zoning to ensure NEW DEVELOPMENT IS SUSTAINABLE, but SB15 removes those safeguards. Who pays for the increased demand on schools, roads, water, and emergency services? TAXPAYERS. Who benefits? DEVELOPERS AND INVESTORS. This bill is a MASSIVE GIVEAWAY TO DEVELOPERS at the expense of everyday Texans. IT’S NOT ABOUT SOLVING THE HOUSING CRISIS—IT’S ABOUT ALLOWING CORPORATIONS TO PROFIT WHILE CITIES STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE COSTS. I urge you to reject SB15. Texas cannot afford legislation that forces unplanned, high-density housing into already struggling communities without the necessary investment in schools, roads, water, and emergency services. This bill does not offer solutions—it only creates more problems. If you truly care about the future of Texas, reject TX SB15 and demand a housing policy that ensures responsible, well-planned development—not a free-for-all that prioritizes profits over people.