Spring in an odd-numbered year means things are getting heated under the Texas Capitol dome. Joining the Standard for a look back at the week in Texas politics is Texas Tribune reporting fellow, Sami Sparber.
Racial disparities in Texas COVID vaccine distribution:
“We found that Black and Hispanic Texans, who have already been hit particularly hard by the virus, appear to be vastly underrepresented among those getting the COVID vaccine … That’s according to state health data that still paints an incomplete picture.”
How one Texas city is trying to aid under-vaccinated communities:
“Dallas is trying to improve access, and that’s mainly falling on grassroots groups and county employees that are organizing registration events for Hispanic and Black Texans. But they still worry it won’t be enough.”
To-go alcohol sales clear a major hurdle:
“Yesterday the House passed a bill that would allow restaurants to sell alcohol to-go beyond the pandemic. It was a shared goal of Gov. [Greg] Abbott and Texas restaurant owners, to secure another revenue stream that restaurants took advantage of to help boost [revenue] when businesses closed their dining rooms during the pandemic.”
Listen to our talk with Sami Sparber, reporting fellow with the Texas Tribune, in the audio player above.