Last session lawmakers from both sides of the aisle joined forces to bring more transparency and reforms to how the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) awarded state-funded grants.
Wayne Roberts, the organization’s new chief executive officer, testified before the CPRIT oversight committee about the new process for approving grants.
"This is a learning process from me on down, this stuff is really intricate and we will get it right," Roberts said.
State Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, who authored the bill that changed how things were handled at CPRIT, was on hand during this week’s meeting.
"We are going to make sure that all of the efforts are focused on treatment and cures for cancer and that any abuse -- we’ve closed any hole we could possible find and we’re moving forward now," Nelson said.
Nelson watched as the newly-formed oversight committee approved 11-new grants, the first since a review of the agency and changes made as result of her bill.
