Past Contributions

• State of Mind: Mental Health Focus for Harris County

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

  Law enforcement is working to make sure lawmakers know an investment in mental health services is an investment in public safety. Full Story 

• State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More College Readiness

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

  Midland educators say the one-size-fits-all college readiness plan has run its course. They're working with area lawmakers to push legislation that would allow districts to offer different curriculum tracks, to better prepare students for the next step in their careers. Full Story 

• State of Mind: Coastal Texans Mobilizing to Reform TWIA

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

  Instead of complaining about steep rate hikes and confusing building codes, Texas coastal residents say they'll outline ways to reform the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association in the 83rd Legislature. Full Story 

• State of Mind: The Fight to Restore Healthcare Cuts

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

  Doctors in the Rio Grande Valley are leading the charge to restore cuts made during the 2011 legislative session. They want lawmakers to once again make it so that Medicare and Medicaid benefits add up to 100-percent of dual eligible patients' bills. They're expecting a fight. Full Story 

• State of Mind: State Water Woes

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

  People in parts of West Texas know that lawmakers can't make it rain, but they hope that the legislators they send to Austin can find funding for a statewide water plan to ease the drought pain in the coming session. Several state leaders are vowing to find the money. Full Story 

• State of Mind: Medicaid HMO Reforms

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

  Put in place 10 months ago to save the state $385 million, many doctors in the Rio Grande Valley say Health Maintenance Organizations, HMOs, are limiting patients' access to care. The Texas Medical Association is among those hoping the 83rd Legislature can find ways to streamline the current system. Full Story 

• State of Mind: Mental Health Funds the Focus for Harris County

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

  With roughly a quarter of its huge jail population receiving psychotropic drugs or other treatment for mental illness, Harris County officials decided to do something different to address what they call a 'crisis' in their community. Full Story 

• State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More Choices for Students

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 9, 2013

  When it comes to choice in education, some legislators are thinking about more than school vouchers. Lawmakers representing West Texas will be filing proposals that would allow students to choose career paths that benefit local industries. Full Story 

• Video: Simpson Withdraws From Speaker's Race

  By Justin Dehn Jan. 8, 2013

  Saying he wasn’t certain of victory and didn’t want to put other members at risk by forcing a vote, Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, withdrew from the race for House speaker on Tuesday. Watch his full comments from the House floor. Full Story 

• State of Mind: Coastal Texans Push to Reform Windstorm Insurance

  By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 8, 2013

  Texas' coastal residents say repeat hikes in premiums by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association have pushed them to rally for change. One coastal lawmaker is preparing to file legislation that would overhaul TWIA. Full Story