Texas Tribune Brief

The incoming president also plans to send a comprehensive immigration reform plan to Congress after he takes office.

Some 78% of the 1.7 million coronavirus doses already shipped to providers have been used, including second doses, Gov. Greg Abbott said. Texas is set to receive another 333,650 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The state's health commission gave Planned Parenthood's Medicaid patients until Feb. 3 to find new doctors. Experts say there are limited places low-income patients can go, in part because Texas already has a shortage of doctors who accept Medicaid, due to the state’s low payment rates.

Hospitals in the Abilene, Bryan-College Station and Laredo areas have run out of intensive care unit beds. State health officials are “greatly concerned” about high numbers of hospitalized people throughout Texas.

Odus Evbagharu says that like many of the thousands of people employed at the Capitol, he’s nervous he might catch COVID-19. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.

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In a lawsuit, four former Paxton aides claim they were wrongfully terminated for reporting alleged criminal behavior on his part. Paxton’s agency wants a judge to quash subpoenas and depositions, saying that as an elected official Paxton is exempt from state whistleblower protection laws.

Texas Democrats have been unanimous in their support for impeachment. Many Republicans from the state have been opposed.

Lawmakers gathered for the start of the 140-day session Tuesday as the coronavirus continues to rage in Texas.

Much about the session — including how it will be conducted during a pandemic — remains uncertain.

State health officials said Sunday that 28 hubs will be getting 158,825 doses this week.