From protecting endangered lizards to changing industry standards on fracking, energy and environmental groups have many competing interests in Texas. Use this interactive to track campaign contributions by some of the most influential such groups and donors.
Becca Aaronson
Becca Aaronson was the first product manager at the Tribune, where she worked from 2010 to 2018. As product manager, Becca managed the Tribune's website redesign, coordinates cross-departmental projects and conducted user research to improve reader experience. She previously worked on the Tribune's data visuals team as a developer and project manager, contributing to several award-winning investigative projects. She covered health care from 2012 to 2014, making waves with her coverage of women's health and the Wendy Davis abortion filibuster.
She has a bachelor’s degree in cultural theory from Scripps College in Claremont, Calif.
Posted inState Government
Senate Ties Franchise Tax Relief to Budget Measures
The Senate raised the bar Tuesday evening in its standoff with the lower chamber by tying the provisions in a major franchise tax relief bill to key legislation being held up in the House.
Posted in
Health care
Dewhurst Urges Action on Abortion Bills
Ahead of a Wednesday bill-passing deadline, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has sent an email to supporters urging them to ask their senators to vote out several anti-abortion measures.
Posted inPolitics
Interactive: Comparing Perry, Cruz as Potential Presidential Candidates
Two Texans, Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, are on the GOP’s radar as potential 2016 presidential candidates. Use this interactive to see how they compare on issues like health care, abortion and immigration.
Posted inState Government
Budget Agreement Hinges on Key Legislation
UPDATED: Despite looming deadlines, the House postponed on Monday a vote on Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would allow voters to decide whether to set up a fund for water infrastructure projects.
Posted in
Health care
House Gives Early OK to Medicaid Expansion Ban
In a surprise turn of events in the House on Monday evening, a Medicaid reform bill meant to address long-term and acute care services became a weapon in the GOP’s fight against Medicaid expansion.
Posted in
Health care
House Backs Bill to Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud
A House bill designed to curb Medicaid fraud became a vehicle to save floundering health care legislation on Friday.
Posted in
Health care
House OKs Bill to Expand Mental Health in Managed Care
Managed care plans would be required to offer more mental health services to Medicaid recipients under a bill tentatively approved by the House on Friday.
Posted in
Health care
Texas on Track to Restore Cancer Research Funding
The House tentatively approved a bill to reform the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, bringing the state one step closer to restoring financing for the beleaguered agency.
Posted in
Health care
End-of-Life Bill Sparks Anger, Accusations
Texas Right to Life is working overtime to defeat a measure supporters say would improve state laws governing end-of-life medical decisions. With time running out, the fight over the legislation has shifted from political to personal.
