Texas is leading a group of conservative states in a legal battle to have the sprawling health care law struck down. Without it, disabled Texans stand to lose programs that have allowed more people to stay in their homes, rather than state-run institutions.
Trinady Joslin
Trinady Joslin is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin and a fall engagement fellow. She has worked as a reporting fellow for The Texas Tribune and as a reporter, section editor and managing editor at The Daily Texan. Trinady is interested in increasing accessibility within online spaces and reporting on health policy and how it impacts Texans with disabilities.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
For families that lost loved ones or jobs to the pandemic, Thanksgiving carries an extra weight this year
This year’s pandemic has brought untold suffering to families across Texas. Making things worse: At a time when they might take solace in the company of friends or family, public health authorities are urging them to stay apart.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
For nearly 3 million disabled Texans, voting this year is even harder
Texas voters with disabilities have long faced challenges casting ballots in a state with spotty accommodations. The pandemic and record turnout have made it more difficult.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott didn’t require masks at polling places. It’s made some voters uncomfortable.
Polling locations are one of Abbott’s 11 exemptions to his statewide mask mandate that went into effect July 3. Abbott said at the time that the exemption is meant to prevent people from being turned away at the polls just because they don’t have a mask, though he has also recommended that people wear them.
Posted in
Demographics
Texas State University pauses diversity training after Trump executive order threatens federal funding
Trump’s executive order, signed on Sept. 22, requires federal contractors and agencies that receive federal grants to discontinue training that contains “any form of race or sex stereotyping” and other “divisive concepts,” which could include discussions of the existence of white supremacy.
Posted in
COVID-19 Recession in Texas
“We can’t do it alone”: Texans say federal leaders’ inaction on a new coronavirus aid package is endangering their livelihoods
Texas business owners and unemployed residents feel like federal leaders of both parties are playing political games with their financial lives in the middle of a damaging recession.
Posted in
Texas 2020 Elections
Native American tribes in Texas rally to increase voter turnout
Native American tribe members say mistrust of the government and a history of erasure of indigenous people contribute to a lack of voter participation.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texans with disabilities are eligible for mail-in voting, but people must decide for themselves if they qualify
Disability rights activists say they’re worried the confusion may deter at-risk Texans from voting or cause them to needlessly put their health at risk to show up in person at the polls despite being eligible for mail-in voting.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Nearly 600,000 Texans will lose access to a program that prevented electricity shut-offs during the pandemic on Oct. 1
Once the program ends, customers could be on the hook for partial back payments.