House Bill 1535 expands eligibility for the Texas Compassionate Use Program to people with cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s effective Sept. 1.
Shawn Mulcahy
Shawn Mulcahy was a coronavirus reporting fellow in 2020 and a contract politics reporter in 2021. Shawn received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his master’s degree at Northwestern University. He worked as an investigative reporter for Northwestern’s Medill Investigative Lab and has written stories for The Washington Post about abuse and neglect in nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic. He’s also worked as a reporter, producer and host for WFSU Public Media, an NPR and PBS member station.
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Texas Legislature 2021
With feelings raw over voting bill’s demise, Texas Legislature wraps up — for now
Members celebrated the end of the session, but also acknowledged that they’ll be back sometime soon for at least one special session.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Overhaul to Texas state government employees’ retirement accounts advanced out of Legislature
Senate Bill 321 would enroll new state workers in a cash-balance plan — similar to a common 401(k) retirement account — rather than the defined-benefit pension plan that current employees have.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for June special session after three of his priority bills fail in Texas House
Gov. Greg Abbott responded, “Some are trying to end the game before the time clock has run out. There’s still time remaining for the House and Senate to work together to get important conservative legislation to my desk.”
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Texas Legislature 2021
A bill to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program started moving in the Senate. Advocates worry time is running out.
House Bill 1535 would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Here’s what you need to know about getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas
Texas health officials have told vaccine providers that they could resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in all adult recipients. Use of that vaccine had been paused for nearly two weeks.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas GOP state senator urged use of unproven hydroxychloroquine treatment for COVID-19. Now he’s spreading doubt about vaccines.
In a period of sagging vaccination rates — particularly among staunch conservatives — state Sen. Bob Hall used his platform to promulgate debunked anti-vaccine conspiracies and push claims that have largely been eschewed by the medical community.
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Coronavirus in Texas
CDC lifts mask guidance for fully vaccinated people — but less than a third of Texans are fully vaccinated
The announcement will likely give new life to the debate about requiring vaccinations that has been playing out in Texas and across the nation.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Permitless carry of a handgun in Texas nearly law, after Senate OKs bill
House Bill 1927 would nix the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a license to carry handguns if they’re not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a gun.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas’ pandemic budget shortfall disappears, as latest forecast shows a surplus
The latest revenue estimate doesn’t take into account all of the federal relief that has been sent to Texas over the past year by Congress through pandemic relief packages. State lawmakers have wrestled with how and who has the authority to spend that money.