Unexpected Political Dynamics at the Capitol
The 2025 regular session delivered some surprises for Texas developers — not just in legislation, but in politics. Traditionally, development interests have found strong alignment with the pro-business caucus at the Capitol. But this year, several newly elected House Republicans broke from that tradition, taking anti-growth and pro-local control positions that directly conflicted with property rights and development interests.
These internal divisions within the Republican caucus cost us key votes on priority legislation, including measures designed to hold local officials accountable (HB 3647, the Ultra Vires bill) and strengthen owner financing and loan origination options (HB 4166).
Why This Matters
The fact that some Republican legislators now see “local control” as more important than property rights, economic growth, and housing opportunity marks a shift that developers cannot ignore. It is no longer safe to assume that the “pro-business” label automatically includes support for land development.
For TLDA members, this means our job has grown more urgent:
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Educating new legislators about the importance of responsible development.
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Reinforcing the message that growth is not a threat but a driver of prosperity for Texas families and communities.
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Staying unified as developers, so we speak with one strong and credible voice at the Capitol.
Our Strategy: Communicate, Don’t Just Oppose
TLDA has always been most effective when we engage constructively — working with legislators and stakeholders to shape better bills before they reach the floor. Outright opposition is sometimes necessary, but our long-term strength lies in building relationships, negotiating improvements, and finding common ground.
In today’s political environment, that strategy is more important than ever. By staying credible and collaborative, we can overcome ideological divides and keep the focus on solutions that benefit all Texans.
Why the TLDA PAC Matters
These unexpected dynamics also make the case for strong, unified political support through the TLDA PAC. The PAC allows us to:
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Support candidates who understand and champion property rights and development.
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Build relationships with new legislators who need education about our industry.
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Ensure developers have a seat at the table when key policy debates unfold.
Without a well-funded PAC, our ability to shape outcomes at the Capitol is limited. With it, we amplify our voice and protect the future of development in Texas.
The Bottom Line
This session showed us that politics is changing. Development interests are no longer guaranteed allies, even within the pro-business caucus. That makes it more important than ever for developers to stand together, educate lawmakers, and support advocacy efforts like the TLDA PAC.
Texas’ future depends on growth — and TLDA will continue working to ensure that growth is protected and advanced at every level of government.
👉 Now is the time to unite. If you’re not yet contributing to the TLDA PAC, we urge you to join us in supporting the candidates and policies that keep Texas the best place to live, work, and develop.