Senate Republican pushes crackdown on California-style 'bureaucrat tax' adding $100K to new homes

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) introduced the Freedom to Build Act to reduce the 'bureaucrat tax'—excessive regulations adding $100K to new home costs—by incentivizing deregulation through federal grants. The Economic Report of the President cited the tax as a barrier to housing supply, while the Senate passed a Trump-backed affordable housing package, though House GOP raised concerns.