In the Roundup: The Texas Senate passed its first legislation this week, state Republican leaders again addressed Medicaid expansion and reforms, and new bills aim to preserve the federal health subsidies in question in a U.S. Supreme Court case.
Alana Rocha
Alana Rocha was the director of news partnerships for The Texas Tribune until June 2022. She was previously a multimedia reporter, after working in television and radio news for eight years. Alana covered politics for stations in Florida, Kansas and Texas and traveled the country reporting from the 2012 and 2016 presidential campaign trails. She was the lead reporter on several award-winning projects and launched “The Brief,” a daily audio update. A native of Tampa, Florida, Alana received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from the University of Florida.
Posted in
State Government
Video: A Bid to Solidify Support Services for Female Veterans
More female veterans call Texas home than any other state, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s a growing segment of the military population that could soon have a state resource exclusively dedicated to serving its needs.
Posted in
State Government
Roundup: Polls and Property Tax Cuts
This week in the Roundup, we take a look at the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll and a proposal by state Senate leaders to offer tax relief to property owners and businesses.
Posted in
Health care
Video: Revamped CPRIT Faces New Questions from Lawmakers
As the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas rebuilds its image after a scandal tied to grant awards, its leaders face a new generation of conservative lawmakers who are questioning whether the state should be in the cancer-fighting business.
Posted in
Health care
Revamped Cancer Agency Faces New Questions
A reinvented Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas says its darkest hour has passed, but the agency faces new conservative lawmakers unconvinced more money should be devoted to the agency.
Posted in
Demographics
Roundup: Abbott’s Agenda and High-Profile Court Rulings
In the Roundup: The new governor delivers his first State of the State address, leaders react to a court’s decision on the president’s immigration order and a county judge in Texas rules the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Lawmakers React to Abbott’s Budget Plan
Gov. Greg Abbott outlined an ambitious agenda in his first State of the State address. While many lawmakers lauded his goals, some questioned how the state can afford to spend billions of dollars on roads and higher education research while cutting billions in tax revenue.
Posted in
State Government
Livestream: Abbott’s State of the State Address
Speaking to a joint session of the 84th Texas Legislature, Gov. Greg Abbott will outline his vision for Texas in his first State of the State address. He is expected to focus on improving the state’s education system, securing the border and investing in roads.
Posted in
State Government
Roundup: Guns, Tolls and Emergency Preparedness
In the Roundup: Lawmakers listen to hours of testimony on two pieces of gun legislation, toll bill snafus affect thousands of Texans, and a Senate bill would better prepare the state to handle infectious disease emergencies.
Posted in
Higher Education
Video: Powers Addresses Admissions Report Findings
At a press conference on Thursday, University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers responded to an external review that shows he helped secure college admittance for some students over the objections of the admissions office.
