Latest Contributions

• Second Health Contract Questioned; Probe Requested

  By Terri Langford, The Texas Tribune, and Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Jan. 8, 2015

  A state senator wants the Texas auditor to review how a private firm was selected to operate a state psychiatric hospital in Terrell. Full Story 

• Stick's Chief of Staff Facing Steep Pay Cut

  By Terri Langford and Bobby Blanchard Jan. 5, 2015

  One of three Texas Health and Human Services Commission employees put on paid administrative leave amid a probe into the agency’s contracting procedures is facing a 50 percent cut to his salary. Full Story 

• Ushering in Several Reforms, But Not Always Leading the Charge

  By Terri Langford Jan. 2, 2015

  Rick Perry will leave behind a criminal justice system in healthier shape than when he stepped in as governor. Terri Langford writes that how instrumental Perry was in improving it remains an open question. Full Story 

• Health Chief Says He Was Misled on No-Bid Deal

  By Morgan Smith and Terri Langford Dec. 23, 2014

  Texas Health and Human Services Commission chief Kyle Janek said Tuesday he was misled in briefings on a no-bid, $110 million deal handed to an Austin company for unproven software to detect Medicaid fraud. Full Story 

• One Fired, Three Sent Home as 21CT Fallout Widens

  By Terri Langford Dec. 19, 2014

  Gov. Rick Perry on Friday fired HHSC Inspector General Doug Wilson as fallout widened from the selection of a relatively unknown company for a $110 million Medicaid fraud software contract. Full Story 

• Whitmire Seeks Inquiry Into HHSC-21CT Contracts

  By Terri Langford Dec. 18, 2014

  State Sen. John Whitmire asked the state's public integrity unit on Thursday to investigate deals between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and 21 Century Technologies. Full Story 

• Second HHSC Contract Scrapped Amid Questions About Open Bidding

  By Terri Langford and Bobby Blanchard Dec. 17, 2014

  The Health and Human Services Commission has canceled a second contract involving Jack Stick, who resigned as the agency's top lawyer amid concerns over a $110 million contract that was not competitively bid. Full Story 

• Court Tells TDCJ to Name Lethal Injection Drug Suppliers

  By Terri Langford Dec. 11, 2014

  The name of the compounding pharmacy supplying lethal injection drugs for Texas executions must be released because it is public information, a judge ruled late Thursday. Full Story 

• CCA Offers Guidance to Courts Trying Teens as Adults

  By Terri Langford Dec. 10, 2014

  The state's highest criminal court on Wednesday ruled that a Houston teen should not have been tried as an adult and spelled out better guidance for courts to consider before transferring youth defendants into the adult court system. Full Story 

• Panetti Doesn't Need Mental Health Treatment, Prison Doctor Says

  By Terri Langford Dec. 9, 2014

  As the state and Scott Panetti's defense team battled over whether his execution should be halted last week, a four-page affidavit provided a tantalizing peek into the mental health care Texas has provided for the schizophrenic death row inmate. Full Story