Alana Rocha

Alana Rocha was the director of news partnerships for The Texas Tribune until June 2022. She was previously a multimedia reporter, after working in television and radio news for eight years. Alana covered politics for stations in Florida, Kansas and Texas and traveled the country reporting from the 2012 and 2016 presidential campaign trails. She was the lead reporter on several award-winning projects and launched “The Brief,” a daily audio update. A native of Tampa, Florida, Alana received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from the University of Florida.

Past Contributions

Lawmakers cap session with scuffle over immigration (video)

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn June 2, 2017

Things got heated on the Texas House floor on the last day of the legislative session. Full Story
Jokes, tears and even fights: The highs and lows of the 85th Texas Legislature

By Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman May 29, 2017

Here’s a roundup of some of the most memorable moments from the 85th legislative session, along with details on what happened with some of the bills mentioned. Full Story
Special session standoff

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn May 26, 2017

In these final days of the Texas legislative session, talk of a special session looms as members of the House and Senate disagree on which issues must pass before Monday. Full Story
Bill to ban texting while driving clears Senate

By Alana Rocha and Matthew Watkins Updated: May 19, 2017

The bill's author, state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, said he will concur with the Senate's changes. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Texas lawmakers facing talk of a potential special session

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn May 19, 2017

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says state lawmakers might be staying in Austin past May 29 if some key measures, including the “bathroom bill,” don’t pass the House. Full Story
Signing "sanctuary" jurisdiction ban tops the week in Texas politics

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn May 12, 2017

A spokesman for Gov. Greg Abbott said they opted to sign Senate Bill 4 into law on Facebook to maximize the audience. Abbott’s move kicked off a drama-filled week in the Texas House where lawmakers debated vaccine requirements for foster kids. Full Story
After impassioned speech, Giddings hopeful school lunch bill can still pass

By Alana Rocha Updated: May 12, 2017

State Rep. Helen Giddings, D-DeSoto, isn't giving up hope on passing a bill that she said would help starving school kids, despite some lawmakers killing its consideration earlier in the week. Full Story

Credit: Delcia Lopez
Hot or not, bill would simplify sales tax on baked goods (video)

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn May 5, 2017

A measure advancing in the Texas Legislature would make baked goods, regardless of their temperature when served, exempt from sales tax. Full Story
Bill to ban "sanctuary" policies clears final legislative hurdle (video)

By Alana Rocha and Justin Dehn May 5, 2017

To Gov. Greg Abbott, a bill to crack down on “sanctuary” policies in Texas was a must-pass this session. And this week, Republican lawmakers delivered on the controversial legislation. Full Story
What you need to know now about the one bill Texas lawmakers must pass (video)

By Alana Rocha, Ross Ramsey and Todd Wiseman May 3, 2017

In less than two minutes, learn the ins and outs of the only bill that Texas lawmakers have to pass — the one that will determine how the state government is funded for the next two years. Full Story