Coda Rayo-Garza, Research & Data Director

Coda Rayo-Garza serves as Every Texan’s Director of Research and Data. She is a fronteriza born and raised in Laredo, Texas. Coda has worked in the nonprofit and government sectors in various roles and is also a former Lecturer of Political Science. A first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrants, Coda earned her M.A. in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a B.A. in Philosophy from Texas State University. She is also a current PhD student in Applied Demography at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her areas of expertise include racial, ethnic, gender, and poverty disparities, especially along border areas. Coda currently serves on the Board of Directors for Communicare Health Centers, Blue Horizon Texas, and Fiesta Wishes (which she co-founded). Coda is also co-authoring a book through Polity Press titled Latinos in the US: Diversity and Change. When she is not working, Coda is spending time with her children and partner, likely at a local park or library.

Coda's Recent Work

Fuel for the Legislative Session

Halfway through the Texas Legislative Session, the pace is faster and the stakes are higher. Want to know what helps me ride the proverbial waves at the Capitol? Stepping just

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Analysis in Brief: DFPS Budget Proposals

This week, I testified in front of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II on their respective starting-point budget proposals for DFPS. This testimony comes

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Do it for Texas kids, Gov. Abbott

Dear Governor Abbott: Congratulations on your inauguration as the governor of our great state. As a fellow Texan, parent, and attorney, I know we agree that Texas should be the

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