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.
Where to find me during session: Crunching numbers and defending survey data
My surprising hobby: I play the drums
This week, the U.S. Census Bureau released data from the 2018 American Community Survey (ACS). The American Community Survey estimates are released annually and allow us to track how Texans
All Texans should have access to affordable, high-quality health care. This is especially true for children, who represent the future of our state and rely on today’s leaders to enact
This week, the Trump Administration proposed changing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly “food stamps”) in a way that could take away basic food assistance from potentially millions of
On July 12, 2019, the Texas Legislature will hold a joint hearing of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety and International Relations and Economic Development Committees related to the
In June 2018, the Dallas Morning News began publishing a series of in-depth investigative reports on Texans harmed through Medicaid managed care, potential conflicts of interest, and weaknesses in oversight and enforcement of Medicaid
Texas continues to be one of the 10 worst states for kids based on the 2019 KIDS COUNT Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report
Misguided numbers trick would “move the goal posts” and reduce health care, food, housing benefits and more for millions of Americans Update: Read CPPP’s Public Comment Opposing the New Federal
As CPPP observes Memorial Day and the 2019 Texas Legislative session wraps up, we offer three “Top 5” lists to provide some perspective on lawmakers’ track record over the last
With summer break almost here, Texas school administrators and nutrition directors are planning and strategizing the best ways to serve their students next school year. One of the ways districts
Will the reforms survive to become law this Legislative session? Legislation to improve health care for Medicaid participants and improve insurer performance and accountability is at risk of failing to
