Megan Kimble
@megankimble.bsky.social
Texas political economy reporter @houstonchronicle.com, based in Austin.
Author of CITY LIMITS: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America's Highways
Professionally curious
Author of CITY LIMITS: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America's Highways
Professionally curious
Reposted by Megan Kimble
For today’s #LayoverLibrary, I’m reading ‘City Limits’ by @megankimble.bsky.social. The book focuses on the stories of people whose neighborhoods were affected by construction of the highways and those fighting highway expansion today while working to rebuild community.
November 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
For today’s #LayoverLibrary, I’m reading ‘City Limits’ by @megankimble.bsky.social. The book focuses on the stories of people whose neighborhoods were affected by construction of the highways and those fighting highway expansion today while working to rebuild community.
Think your home insurance costs too much? Look at your credit. A new report from shows that Texans with low credit scores pay almost $3,000 more for home insurance on average each year than those with high scores. New in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
Map shows where low credit adds the most to home insurance in Harris County
Texans with low credit scores are paying almost $3,000 more for home insurance on average each year than those with high scores.
www.houstonchronicle.com
September 11, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Think your home insurance costs too much? Look at your credit. A new report from shows that Texans with low credit scores pay almost $3,000 more for home insurance on average each year than those with high scores. New in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
Houston! I'll be talking about CITY LIMITS -- and how to build a city without highways -- on Wednesday evening at MATCH Houston, hosted by Houston Design Collaborative. Come say hi!
houstondesigncollaborative.org
houstondesigncollaborative.org
Houston Design Collaborative – Dedicated to exploring, understanding, and advocating for design in Houston.Houston Design Collaborative – Dedicated to exploring, understanding, and advocating for desi...
houstondesigncollaborative.org
September 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Houston! I'll be talking about CITY LIMITS -- and how to build a city without highways -- on Wednesday evening at MATCH Houston, hosted by Houston Design Collaborative. Come say hi!
houstondesigncollaborative.org
houstondesigncollaborative.org
Reposted by Megan Kimble
“It's no longer just a rural issue, not just about the groundwater in East Texas,” said state Rep. Cody Harris, a Palestine Republican behind the effort to overhaul the state’s groundwater regulation. “This affects everyone.” Great story from @megankimble.bsky.social
How a Dallas investor's East Texas water grab triggered a statewide battle
Kyle Bass wants to pump 10 billion gallons of groundwater a year from the aquifer underneath Anderson County and pipe it to other parts of the state.
www.houstonchronicle.com
August 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
“It's no longer just a rural issue, not just about the groundwater in East Texas,” said state Rep. Cody Harris, a Palestine Republican behind the effort to overhaul the state’s groundwater regulation. “This affects everyone.” Great story from @megankimble.bsky.social
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com: A fight over groundwater in East Texas has triggered a seismic rethinking of the state's water law, with state leaders promising to topple the 120-year-old doctrine governing groundwater in Texas known as the rule of capture. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
How a Dallas investor's East Texas water grab triggered a statewide battle
Kyle Bass wants to pump 10 billion gallons of groundwater a year from the aquifer underneath Anderson County and pipe it to other parts of the state.
www.houstonchronicle.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com: A fight over groundwater in East Texas has triggered a seismic rethinking of the state's water law, with state leaders promising to topple the 120-year-old doctrine governing groundwater in Texas known as the rule of capture. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
How a Dallas investor's East Texas water grab triggered a statewide battle, via @megankimble.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
How a Dallas investor's East Texas water grab triggered a statewide battle
Kyle Bass wants to pump 10 billion gallons of groundwater a year from the aquifer underneath Anderson County and pipe it to other parts of the state.
www.houstonchronicle.com
August 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
How a Dallas investor's East Texas water grab triggered a statewide battle, via @megankimble.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
NEW @houstonchronicle.com: Less than 5% of homes in the highest-risk areas of Kerr County had flood insurance before July 4.
Without insurance, "It's a much, much longer road home.”
Read the story, by me and Caroline Ghisolfi:
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Without insurance, "It's a much, much longer road home.”
Read the story, by me and Caroline Ghisolfi:
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Exclusive: Most Kerr County homes hit on July 4 had no flood insurance
Less than 5% of homes in the county's FEMA floodplain had flood coverage, well below the national average. Uptake was even worse in other areas that flooded.
www.houstonchronicle.com
July 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
NEW @houstonchronicle.com: Less than 5% of homes in the highest-risk areas of Kerr County had flood insurance before July 4.
Without insurance, "It's a much, much longer road home.”
Read the story, by me and Caroline Ghisolfi:
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Without insurance, "It's a much, much longer road home.”
Read the story, by me and Caroline Ghisolfi:
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
The Trump administration wants to give Texas more authority – and require less transparency – as the state expands existing highways and builds new ones. New in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Trump officials want to give TxDOT more power over highway expansions
If approved, TxDOT won’t have to inform citizens of their right to sue the agency or file a civil rights complaint with the Federal Highway Administration.
www.houstonchronicle.com
July 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The Trump administration wants to give Texas more authority – and require less transparency – as the state expands existing highways and builds new ones. New in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
The National Climate Assessment, and all special reports and past assessments, are now offline. Federal climate science is being systematically erased.
June 30, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The National Climate Assessment, and all special reports and past assessments, are now offline. Federal climate science is being systematically erased.
a lovely review of CITY LIMITS in the Journal of the American Planning Assocation!
Professors, take note: "The book serves as a nearly complete introduction to many of the significant recent and ongoing debates in transportation and land use planning." www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Professors, take note: "The book serves as a nearly complete introduction to many of the significant recent and ongoing debates in transportation and land use planning." www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America’s Highways
Published in Journal of the American Planning Association (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
a lovely review of CITY LIMITS in the Journal of the American Planning Assocation!
Professors, take note: "The book serves as a nearly complete introduction to many of the significant recent and ongoing debates in transportation and land use planning." www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Professors, take note: "The book serves as a nearly complete introduction to many of the significant recent and ongoing debates in transportation and land use planning." www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com After months of wrangling, lawmakers reach a deal to spend billions shoring up the state's water supply, agreeing to a 50/50 split between new water supply projects and aging infrastructure in need of repair. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Texas lawmakers reach deal to spend billions shoring up water supply
The deal allocates $1 billion a year for water and splits that funding equally between new water supply projects and aging infrastructure in need of repair.
www.houstonchronicle.com
May 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com After months of wrangling, lawmakers reach a deal to spend billions shoring up the state's water supply, agreeing to a 50/50 split between new water supply projects and aging infrastructure in need of repair. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
“Critics warn doing away with those protections would punish all renters in the state for the rare instance of an illegal squatter.”
www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
How a bill to speed up evictions is testing Texas’ powerful landlord lobby
The Texas Apartment Association helped turn Texas into one of the most landlord-friendly states. But its new 'anti-squatting' bill is a step too far for some.
www.houstonchronicle.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
“Critics warn doing away with those protections would punish all renters in the state for the rare instance of an illegal squatter.”
www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
Reposted by Megan Kimble
For decades, the Texas Apartment Association has influenced lawmakers to weaken tenants’ rights. Now they want the right to evict tenants without a court proceeding. @megankimble.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
How a bill to speed up evictions is testing Texas’ powerful landlord lobby
The Texas Apartment Association helped turn Texas into one of the most landlord-friendly states. But its new 'anti-squatting' bill is a step too far for some.
www.houstonchronicle.com
May 26, 2025 at 3:33 PM
For decades, the Texas Apartment Association has influenced lawmakers to weaken tenants’ rights. Now they want the right to evict tenants without a court proceeding. @megankimble.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
The Texas Apartment Association helped turn Texas into one of the most landlord-friendly states. But its new 'anti-squatting' bill is a step too far for some lawmakers. NEW from me & Matt Zdun in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
How a bill to speed up evictions is testing Texas’ powerful landlord lobby
The Texas Apartment Association helped turn Texas into one of the most landlord-friendly states. But its new 'anti-squatting' bill is a step too far for some.
www.houstonchronicle.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The Texas Apartment Association helped turn Texas into one of the most landlord-friendly states. But its new 'anti-squatting' bill is a step too far for some lawmakers. NEW from me & Matt Zdun in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/projects/202...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
My story on Rio Grande & Pecos River water use in oil and gas drilling during an extreme drought is out today in @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/1305202...
Texas Oil and Gas Companies Drill With River Water During Extreme Drought - Inside Climate News
Oil and gas companies have used billions of gallons of Rio Grande and Pecos River water for drilling in the past four years, according to an exclusive Inside Climate News analysis.
insideclimatenews.org
May 13, 2025 at 3:40 PM
My story on Rio Grande & Pecos River water use in oil and gas drilling during an extreme drought is out today in @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/1305202...
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com: Lawmakers hope desalination can bring new water to Texas. Critics want protections for the coast.
“If we want seawater desalination to be our long-term water supply strategy, we better do it right." @texassierraclub.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
“If we want seawater desalination to be our long-term water supply strategy, we better do it right." @texassierraclub.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
As Texas looks to invest in desalination, critics want protections for the coast
The state has few regulations governing what seawater desalination plants do with the concentrated brine that is left over.
www.houstonchronicle.com
May 9, 2025 at 4:13 PM
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com: Lawmakers hope desalination can bring new water to Texas. Critics want protections for the coast.
“If we want seawater desalination to be our long-term water supply strategy, we better do it right." @texassierraclub.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
“If we want seawater desalination to be our long-term water supply strategy, we better do it right." @texassierraclub.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
H/t to @megankimble.bsky.social @houstonchronicle.com for great reporting on the TX insurance crisis: www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Texas plan to rein in home insurers won't guarantee lower prices, critics say
Texas lawmakers are considering proposals that would require insurers to get approval for rate hikes over a certain threshold.
www.houstonchronicle.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:32 PM
H/t to @megankimble.bsky.social @houstonchronicle.com for great reporting on the TX insurance crisis: www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Texas' property insurance crisis hits an unexpected target: public schools. Can state lawmakers help struggling districts? New in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Texas' insurance crisis is hitting an unexpected target: Public schools
Insurance costs for districts have increased by 44% statewide since 2020, according to financial data from the Texas Education Agency.
www.houstonchronicle.com
April 23, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Texas' property insurance crisis hits an unexpected target: public schools. Can state lawmakers help struggling districts? New in @houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Texas lawmakers are pushing a measure that would bar cities from narrowing roadways to create wider sidewalks or protected lanes for bicyclists and buses. New in
@houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
@houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Texas bill would bar cities from narrowing streets for new bike and ped zones
The bill by Houston Sen. Paul Bettencourt would also ban congestion pricing, which was undertaken in New York.
www.houstonchronicle.com
April 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Texas lawmakers are pushing a measure that would bar cities from narrowing roadways to create wider sidewalks or protected lanes for bicyclists and buses. New in
@houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
@houstonchronicle.com www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com: Texas Central's new investors told state lawmakers the high-speed rail project could be completed as soon as 2032, even after the Trump administration pulled federal funding earlier this week. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
April 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM
NEW in @houstonchronicle.com: Texas Central's new investors told state lawmakers the high-speed rail project could be completed as soon as 2032, even after the Trump administration pulled federal funding earlier this week. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
This Republican-led bill would divert millions in Harris County toll revenue to Houston, via @megankimble.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Republican bill would divert millions in Harris County toll revenue to Houston
Supporters say the move would help compensate the city's first responders while critics say it would block projects like nature trails and bike paths.
www.houstonchronicle.com
April 11, 2025 at 11:29 AM
This Republican-led bill would divert millions in Harris County toll revenue to Houston, via @megankimble.bsky.social
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
Trump’s tariffs could increase homebuilding, insurance costs in Texas just ahead of hurricane season, via @megankimble.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Trump’s tariffs could increase homebuilding and insurance costs in Texas
The state imports many of the raw goods used to build and repair homes. The tariffs come just months before hurricane season.
www.houstonchronicle.com
April 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Trump’s tariffs could increase homebuilding, insurance costs in Texas just ahead of hurricane season, via @megankimble.bsky.social www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Reposted by Megan Kimble
“This is the equivalent of using a shotgun in a schoolyard to kill a mosquito.”
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
Texas tenant advocates dispute lawmakers' claim that squatting is widespread
Housing experts say there is little data to show that squatting is a widespread problem, much less a growing one.
www.houstonchronicle.com
March 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
“This is the equivalent of using a shotgun in a schoolyard to kill a mosquito.”
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
By @houstonchronicle.com's @megankimble.bsky.social
#housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
Reposted by Megan Kimble
@megankimble.bsky.social wrote a phenomenal book on this very subject!
There is of course one correct course of action with this unnecessary section of I-95: tear it down.
Everyone knows the construction of I-95 along the Delaware River waterfront 60 years ago was a catastrophe of urban planning. So why is the state planning to make the road even bigger?
March 15, 2025 at 7:06 PM
@megankimble.bsky.social wrote a phenomenal book on this very subject!
NEW: Texas leaders promised to crack down on squatting. But a new bill would radically transform the eviction process for millions of Texas renters, making it easier for landlords to evict them without notice or a legal proceeding. @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
Texas bill to curb squatting would make it easier to evict any renter
Tenant advocates, judges and lawyers have raised the alarm about House Bill 32, calling it a Trojan Horse that would strip tenants of their due process rights.
www.houstonchronicle.com
March 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
NEW: Texas leaders promised to crack down on squatting. But a new bill would radically transform the eviction process for millions of Texas renters, making it easier for landlords to evict them without notice or a legal proceeding. @houstonchronicle.com
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...