The Latest Breaking News from Donna Howard

Texas Pushes Maternal Mortality Report to December, Delaying Findings on 277 Pregnancy-Associated Deaths Recorded in 2021

Texas delayed its maternal mortality report to December, holding back findings on 277 pregnancy-associated deaths in 2021 until after the election.

Medical Daily · 2h ago

Texas’ maternal health report delay is political and puts pregnant women at risk, lawmakers say

The highly anticipated report, which includes deaths that occurred after Texas banned abortions, has recommendations on how to reduce pregnancy risks.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 25

Texas Maternal Mortality Committee’s Next Report Will Skip Post-‘Roe’ Deaths. Lawmakers Suspect Political Influence.

And one Texan says the body’s decision “retriggered” the pain of losing his wife, who counts among the preventable deaths that soon followed the state’s abortion bans.

Texas Observer · Aug 17

Texas Legislature approves $338 billion two-year spending plan with a focus on property tax relief

A boost in public school spending, school vouchers, and money for water systems are other highlights of the state budget, which was bolstered by a $24 billion surplus.

The Texas Tribune · May 31, 2025

Texas House Passes Raft of Dan Patrick Priorities Imposing Conservative Mandates on Public Ed

In final days of session, the lower chamber voted to further advance the classroom culture wars.

Texas Observer · May 29, 2025

House Republicans refuse to pass ceremonial resolution honoring Cecile Richards

Normally, memorial resolutions to honor Texans who have died are passed without controversy. But the resolution for Richards, a former president of Planned Parenthood who died this year, sparked a cascade of outrage from conservatives.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 17, 2025

Republican Abortion Laws Are ‘Torturing Women.’ Can the GOP Fix Its Own Crisis?

Too late for many pregnant Texans, lawmakers might finally clarify exceptions to the state’s deadly bans—but advocates fear the current bills could also pose a new threat.

Texas Observer · Mar 26, 2025

Will lawmakers let Texas’ maternal mortality committee review abortion deaths?

The Legislature is considering bills that would lift long-standing restrictions on how Texas’ panel can investigate maternal deaths and near-misses.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 11, 2025

Texas lawmakers target property taxes, abortion and gender transition care in first bills for the 2025 session

Tuesday marked the first day lawmakers could file bills for next year’s legislative session.

The Texas Tribune · Nov 12, 2024

Maternal deaths surged in Texas in 2020, 2021

Even excluding deaths related to COVID, Texas’ maternal mortality rate spiked, reversing two years of improvement.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 18, 2024