In the past months, NAHB has raised concerns on the potential elimination of businesses’ ability to deduct property taxes, changes to the mortgage interest deduction, and the elimination of energy tax credits. And throughout this process, we have also supported the effort to increase the $10,000 cap on state and local taxes (SALT) for individuals, which is a priority for our members in high-cost states.
By a vote of 215-214, the House early in the morning on May 22 narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, sweeping tax and domestic policy legislation that NAHB believes is very positive for small businesses, real estate and our members. As the measure made its way through the House, NAHB sent a letter of support to House leaders while also urging Congress to make targeted improvements to the bill.
EPAB President's Message
Economic Landscape
El Paso Home market complex, faces many factors
Victor Robles - EPAB President
El Paso housing market is navigating a complex economic landscape in 2025, marked by elevated interest rates, affordability concerns, and a notable decrease in single-family home construction permits. These factors are reshaping the construction industry and influencing both builders and prospective homeowners.
Executive Message
Efforts by TAB, EPAB members affect legislation
By Ray Adauto - Executive Vice President, EPAB
Our bi-annual legislative session is winding down, more contentious, and bitter than the eighty-eight sessions before this one. Texas Builders spent more time killing bad legislation than supporting good ones, but in the end our excellent team of lobbyists and membership helped get priorities done and saving previous wins. By many accounts, this session was not a good, friendly session no matter what side you were on. Protecting our wins from the last few sessions was at the top of our list. In the end we feel a sense of accomplishment for surviving the 89th session. We are torn, bloody, tired, and relieved this session is done. If only for a few weeks before the fires start up again. As promised, we’ll have a composite review of the wins and losses in a future issue and a visit by our TAB leadership.
Memorial Day is considered the official start of summer in the U.S. For many of us it is also the start of graduations and announcements. For Margaret and me this year we celebrated two grandchildren’s graduations and a wedding. Gaby Roman, our only granddaughter (and grandpa’s Princess) did the wedding AND graduation. She is now Gabriela Mikayla Roman-Chacon with the new hubster Sgt. Hugo Chacon, USMC. She graduated the next day from the University of TEXAS at Austin with a degree in English and minor in Spanish. Excellent job Gaby (and mom Angelique). Graduating from high school was grandson Ian Ferguson, our first graduate from Round Rock High. He plans on entering college and seeing what that is about. Congrats to Ian and Mom Alexis and to Grandma Margaret for always being there for them. I hope your celebrations were as adventurous as ours.
Housing Shortage Hurting Middle-Class
After years of crippling shortages, housing inventory is finally growing across the U.S., offering a glimmer of hope to aspiring homebuyers pushed to the sidelines since the pandemic.
Many of these new listings, however, are still out of reach for many, a new study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Realtor.com shared with Newsweek found—especially middle-class Americans. The U.S. is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis which has its roots in the chronic lack of inventory that has accumulated since the Great Recession, after which the country underbuilt compared to its needs. This has recently been exacerbated by historically high mortgage rates.
Federal Court Blocks Tariffs, Uncertainty Remains
A federal court on May 28 ruled that most of President Trump’s tariffs that were instituted on the broad claim of national emergencies are illegal.
As a result of the decision by the Court of International Trade, tariffs announced by Trump against several dozen nations on April 2 under the moniker of “Liberation Day” have been rescinded. “The challenged Tariff Orders will be vacated and their operations permanently enjoined,” a three-judge panel (an Obama appointee, Reagan appointee and Trump appointee) unanimously ruled.
The Justice Department has filed an appeal, and the case could go all the way to the Supreme Court.
