Join The Texas Tribune at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, for a panel discussion on combating opioid overdose deaths, moderated by Tribune politics reporter James Barragán. The conversation will feature Cate Graziani, executive director of the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, and state Reps. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, and James Talarico, D-Round Rock, who are working on legislation addressing the issue.
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Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. at the Tribune’s Studio 919, 919 Congress Ave., Sixth Floor, in Austin. The hourlong conversation will begin at 3 p.m. Parking will not be provided. Street and garage parking as well as ride-sharing are recommended.
This in-person event will be livestreamed for virtual attendees and will be available to watch on demand afterward at texastribune.org/events.
Cate Graziani (she/they) is the Executive Director of the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance. Cate joined the team as policy director soon after Mark Kinzly and Joy Rucker formed THRA in 2019, and over the last 4 years has continued their vision to build a statewide organization rooted in harm reduction values. In addition to tripling the size and impact of the services program, Cate added the training and organizing arm of THRA to build the people power necessary to change our culture and laws in Texas. Before joining THRA, Cate worked at Grassroots Leadership on the criminal justice team for four years, where they fought for alternatives to arrest and incarceration.Â
Representative James Talarico is a former public school teacher and education non-profit leader who was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018. Rep. Talarico earned degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University. He taught middle school on the West Side of San Antonio before becoming the Central Texas Executive Director of an education non-profit. He currently serves on the Public Education Committee, the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee, and the Calendars Committee. For his accomplishments in office, Rep. Talarico was named one of the Top 10 Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine.
Dr. Tom Oliverson represents Texas’ 130th State House District in northwest Harris County, including the communities of Tomball and Cypress. He was selected by Speaker Phelan to Chair the Committee on House Insurance, and also serves on the Public Health and Health Care Reform Select committees. Additionally, Dr. Oliverson was selected to be the Vice-Chair of the House Republican Caucus.
Dr. Oliverson has authored legislation on a diverse set of issues including: healthcare, education, local government, religious freedoms, the 2nd amendment and protecting the unborn. In his professional career, Dr. Oliverson is a board-certified anesthesiologist and partner at US Anesthesia Partners, the largest anesthesia group in Texas.
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.
Find a complete list of them here.
Email us at events@texastribune.org
Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams. Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams.
