Letters: Housing Costs and Election Signs

Two letters published on October 30, 2026, address housing affordability and messages from a recent political rally.

Sean Morrow, a recent transplant from the East Coast, moved to Texas seeking cheaper housing. He describes the cost of homeownership and rent in the Lone Star State as out of reach for many of his peers. Morrow supports James Talarico, who is running for the United States Senate.

Talarico promotes an economic agenda he calls the “New American Dream.” This platform aims to lower barriers for first-time homebuyers and facilitate the construction of smaller, less expensive housing units. Talarico served in the Texas House, where he authored and passed state legislation to expand affordable housing options.

The former state representative sponsored bills for single-stair apartment construction and affordable housing tax credits. He also secured property tax exemptions for nonprofit developers. Morrow quotes Talarico’s goal for Texans: “to be able to live a good life we can afford.”

Charles Benner, a separate correspondent, recounts signs carried by protesters at a NO KINGS rally. The event took place on No Kings Day, October 17, 2026. Benner lists slogans that included “Vote Early,” “Save Voting Rights,” and “Fight Oligarchy.”

Other signs displayed at the rally read “Billionaires Are the Most Dangerous Minority” and “Medicaid Saves Lives.” Protesters also held placards with the text “Trump Is Tearing Us Apart” and “ICE Equals Gestapo.”

Benner notes that the signs called for the removal of “Big Money Out of Politics” and demanded “Due Process” for immigrants. Additional messages included “No Kings, No Crooks, No Liars, No War” and “Democracy Dies When Good People Stay Silent.”