Dallas Morning News: Special Report

Home buyers wary of agency
Some consumer groups, others say TRCC doesn't aid consumers enough
Since its creation in September 2003, unhappy homeowners and consumer groups have criticized the agency for doing little to help buyers, because it can't force builders to make repairs. And they say the agency's passage this month of new building standards allows for shoddy construction, not a guarantee of quality work... Consumer groups say the agency is biased toward the building industry because commissioners and most agency leaders have backgrounds in construction or real estate. They say builders have won their influence in the Legislature from both parties by blanketing them with political donations.

Associated Press: Highlights Monday from the Texas Legislature
Homebuilders contributed at least $8.9 million the past four years to state leaders and legislators and along the way won passage in 2003 of a bill that diminishes homeowners' rights, two watchdog groups said Monday.

San Antonio Express-News
Carlos Guerra: In Austin, Just Who Is Watching Out For Texas Homeowners?
A study released Monday by a campaign finance reform group and three homeowner groups underscores why Texas' pay-to-play politics must be stopped. The damning report by Homeowners for Better Building, Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings, Take Back Your Rights and Campaigns for People is appropriately titled: "Big Money and Shoddy Construction: Texas Homeowners Left Out In the Cold."

San Antonio Express-News: Homebuilders' campaign donations rapped
AUSTIN — Advocates of campaign finance reform and homeowners' rights joined Monday to spotlight almost $9 million in campaign contributions from homebuilder interests over a nearly four-year period that included passage of a law the groups say hurt homebuyers.

Austin Statesman: Activists target homebuilders

A report unveiled Monday by two watchdog groups at the Capitol shows that homebuilders contributed at least $9 million to state leaders and candidates during the past four years.

A whole lot of talk yields little action
Homeowners wish mediation agency could force repairs
MINDY Brooks just wants her house fixed. Shoddy construction left her Fort Worth home with a laundry list of problems… The commission's inspector found more than a dozen defects. But the commission had no power to enforce its findings, leaving Brooks feeling helpless.