Allyson R Waller

Investigative Reporting Fellow

Allyson R Waller is an investigative reporting fellow for the Texas Tribune. She is a third-year journalism major at the University of Texas at Austin. Allyson has previously reported for The Bryan-College Station Eagle and Houstonia Magazine. She is the current president of UT’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. She has written for the student-run publication ORANGE Magazine and served as its assistant ATX editor. Last year, she worked for the UT newspaper, The Daily Texan, as a general reporter and a senior crime reporter, where she reported on campus crime and safety.

Latest Contributions

As most states raise their minimum wages, Texas refuses to budge

by Allyson R Waller Dec. 20, 2018

This year alone, 18 states increased their minimum wage and 30 states now have a minimum wage that exceeds the federal government's $7.25-per-hour rate. Many of Texas' major cities have boosted pay, too. Will the state follow suit? Full Story

Photo credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson
Texas still hasn't expanded Medicaid. That's leaving a gap in coverage for hundreds of thousands.

by Allyson R Waller Dec. 17, 2018

More and more states have decided to expand Medicaid, but Texas has not budged. With more than a half million Texans in the so-called health coverage gap, will the politics of the issue shift in next year's legislative session? Full Story

Photo credit: Jason Massingill for The Texas Tribune
Democratic women lead biggest shift in Texas House since 2010 midterms

by Cassandra Pollock, Carlos Anchondo and Allyson R Waller Updated: Nov. 7, 2018

Led by female candidates, Texas Democrats picked up 12 Texas House seats from Republicans, mostly in North Texas. But Republicans still have the edge in the lower chamber. Full Story

Photo credit: Facebook
Over a million Texas children could qualify for subsidized child care — but less than 10 percent of them receive it

by Allyson R Waller Oct. 31, 2018

An increase in federal funding for subsidized child care has slashed waitlists for care across the state, but advocates argue that it's still not enough to fully serve the number of low-income children who qualify for care. Full Story

Photo credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson
Texas sees huge turnout on first day of early voting

by Allyson R Waller Oct. 22, 2018

Texas counties large and small saw substantial voter turnout on the first day of early voting for the 2018 midterm elections. Full Story

Photo credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune
Can a moderate Democrat win in a Texas district held by Republicans for decades?

by Allyson R Waller Oct. 11, 2018

In an open seat race, two political newcomers — a moderate Democrat and a conservative — are competing to win in a Republican district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Full Story

Photo credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune
After another member is accused of sexual misconduct, the Texas Senate takes a wait-and-see approach

by Alexa Ura, Jolie McCullough and Allyson R Waller Oct. 2, 2018

A recent allegation of sexual misconduct against a state senator highlights the ambiguity that remains at the Capitol over how Texas lawmakers respond to such cases. Full Story

Photo credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune