Law enforcement is working to make sure lawmakers know an investment in mental health services is an investment in public safety.
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
Public Education
State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More College Readiness
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.
Posted in
State Government
State of Mind: Coastal Texans Mobilizing to Reform TWIA
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.
Posted in
Health care
State of Mind: The Fight to Restore Healthcare Cuts
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.
Posted in
Energy
State of Mind: State Water Woes
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.
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State Government
State of Mind: Medicaid HMO Reforms
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.
Posted inHealth care
State of Mind: Mental Health Funds the Focus for Harris County
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.
Posted inPublic Education
State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More Choices for Students
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.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Session Opener Packed a Few Surprises
On day one of the 83rd Legislature, the House Speaker’s race turned out not to be much of a competition, and an unexpected event forced Gov. Perry to pause during his remarks to the Senate.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
State of Mind: Coastal Texans Push to Reform Windstorm Insurance
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.