Health Commissioner to Step Down as Deputy Takes Helm
Kyle Janek, the head of the state’s embattled Health and Human Services Commission, will step down July 1 and be replaced by his deputy, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday. Full Story
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Alexa Ura
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Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
Past Contributions
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![Kyle Janek, left, head of the state Health and Human Services Commission, will step down July 1. He will be replaced by Chris Traylor, right.]()
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In a More Conservative Legislature, Few Anti-Abortion Bills Passed
Two years after passing some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country, Republican lawmakers are leaving their 2015 session having passed just one piece of anti-abortion legislation. Full Story
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State Rep. Farias Won't Seek Another Term in the House
After five sessions in the Texas House, Democratic state Rep. Joe Farias of San Antonio announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. Full Story
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![State Rep. Joe Farias announces his retirement in front of the Texas House on June 1, 2015.]()
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Restrictions on Minors Seeking Abortions Head to Abbott
Far-reaching restrictions on when and how minors seeking abortions in Texas without parental consent can seek help from the courts are headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, and state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, are shepherding legislation to tighten the requirements on "judicial bypass," abortions.]()
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Lawmakers: Bill Slaughter Not a Partisan Deal
After a night of dramatic maneuvers in the Texas House, lawmakers were back at it on Wednesday morning, with a handful of irked conservatives using parliamentary tactics to kill previously uncontested Senate bills. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on the back mic during the reading of local and consent bils, May 15, 2015.]()
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After Day of Rules Warfare, Both Sides Claim Some Wins
A daylong parliamentary battle ensued Tuesday as the Texas House faced a crucial deadline to pass many major bills before they died. Democrats succeeded in killing an abortion bill, while Republicans managed to pass ethics reform legislation and a version of campus carry. Full Story
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![House Parliamentarian Chris Griesel is handed another stack of bills during debate on S.B. 19 Tuesday evening May 26, 2015 in the Texas House.]()
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Senate Clears Bill Restricting Minors Seeking Abortions
After four hours of debate and more than a dozen failed amendments by Democrats, the Senate on Monday gave preliminary approval to far-reaching restrictions on minors seeking abortions in Texas without parental consent. Full Story
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![Sen.Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, continues debate with Sen. Kirk Watson on HB3994 an abortion reform measure on May 25, 2015.]()
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House Will Take Up Abortion Insurance Coverage Ban
In a dramatic turn of events, the House Calendars Committee reversed course and sent a controversial bill prohibiting health insurance plans sold on the Affordable Care Act's marketplace from covering abortions to the full chamber. Full Story
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Senate Won't Include "Abortion ID" Provision
The sponsor of a bill meant to impose additional restrictions on minors seeking abortions without parental consent will not pursue a controversial provision that would have required women to show a form of identification. Full Story
![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, and state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria, are shepherding legislation to tighten the requirements on "judicial bypass," abortions.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich -
Health Commission Bill Could Set Up End-of-Life, Abortion Debate
With the House set to consider legislation to re-evaluate the state’s health commission, a flurry of pre-filed amendments could set the stage for a fiery debate over end-of-life issues. Full Story
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Credit: Boyce Duprey / Callie Richmond