AUSTIN, Texas — In 2026, Texans will decide who will be the next state comptroller, known as the chief financial officer for the Lone Star State.

This election cycle, some experts are saying the stakes are higher, with the comptroller tasked with overseeing the state’s new school voucher program that starts next fall.

The state legislature passed the $1 billion program this year, allowing families to apply to receive thousands of dollars to move to a private school.

“It’s a position that’s becoming increasingly important,” said Mark P. Jones, political science professor at Rice University. “The education savings account program, which is $1 billion and is politically very important to Gov. Abbott, will be managed by the comptroller.”

The job is currently held by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, who was appointed by Abbott this year to fill the position left open by Glenn Hegar. Hancock is vying to keep the role.

“We’re offering the largest educational freedom accounts in the state of Texas that we’ve ever seen in the nation,” Hancock told CBS Austin earlier this month.

ALSO| State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt launches bid for Texas Comptroller

Hancock is overseeing the launch of the school voucher program, setting its rules, hiring outside companies, and answering to the public.

He is in the race with other Republicans, like former State Senator Don Huffines.

“I’ve always fought to empower parents and students with education freedom and real competition, because competition lowers costs and raises the quality of everything it touches,” Huffines said in a statement Friday. “It works in every industry, and it is guaranteed to fix failing government schools. When I am Comptroller, Texas will have the most grand education freedom program in the world.”

Austin-area Democratic State Senator Sarah Eckhardt also launched her campaign for the office earlier this month.

“I think that voters have lost trust that we have a government that’s accountable to them. That we have a government that will show up when we need them and get out of our way when we don’t need it,” she said after filing to run.

The role has already been in the headlines this month.

Hancock requested an opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton about whether or not schools linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) should be disqualified from the program, citing Gov. Abbott’s recent order declaring CAIR a “foreign terrorist organization.”

What some experts are calling a “sleeper race” may end up being one of the most impactful.

The Texas Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd.

AUSTIN, Texas – The Central Texas Food Bank and Austin Pets Alive! are hosting a drive-up food distribution in Austin for people and pets.

The backstory:

Anyone living in Austin or Travis County is welcome to drive up for food for the people and pets in their households.

The food distribution will be held on Friday, Dec. 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

It will be held at the Delco Activity Center located at 4601 Pecan Brook Dr. in Austin.

Pets do not need to be present to receive pet food.

Officials say the two non-profits should have enough for approximately 250 households.

An Austin-area man sounded miserable in his recent viral video discussing an illness he’s battling, calling it the “scarlet fever.” His video begs two questions: Is scarlet fever still around? And what’s really going around Austin?

“If you live in Austin, Texas, and you don’t have scarlet fever right now, good for you. Can’t relate,” a TikToker named Cole Marini (@cole_marini) says. “I was hallucinating last night. Hallucinating. I was 125 degrees. I was incinerating. And I was freezing cold. Are any of you not sick? I have the bubonic plague.”

The high fever claims of “125 degrees,” are hyperbolic, as a fever of 107 degrees Fahrenheit is typically fatal. And even though scarlet fever is still very much a thing, that’s likely not what Marini has.

What’s Going Around Austin?

Austin is currently seeing a sharp increase in influenza (or flu) and RSV cases, along with an expected uptick in COVID-19 activity. (COVID is here to stay forever, people.)

Interestingly, there have been upticks in invasive Strep A cases in Texas over the last couple of years post-pandemic. It is currently active in the community—but not to the extent of what occurred in 2023 in Austin. Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) is what causes strep throat.

What’s The Scarlet Fever?

However, Mayo Clinic explains that “scarlet fever is caused by the same type of bacteria that causes strep throat.” The medical outlet also explains that “scarlet fever most often occurs after a strep throat infection” and that children are more likely to contract it than adults.

The tell-tale signs of scarlet fever include a characteristic red, sandpaper-like rash (on the neck and upper body), a red “strawberry” tongue that sometimes swells, and a sore throat and fever.

What’s The Treatment?

The treatment for scarlet fever is typically 10 days of penicillin, along with medicines for other symptoms during the course. If it is not well-treated or the full course of antibiotics isn’t taken, it can lead to other kidney and heart issues.

Viewers shared their own experiences with the rare illness and tried to diagnose Marini.

One comment read, “From an ER doctor in Austin – It’s *influenza* … welcome to flu season!”

“It was the escalation for me,” said another commenter, clearly finding humor in the video. “Scarlet Fever to bubonic plague is wild. Both aka the man flu. Drink your fluids. Stay away for others until your fever breaks for 24 hours. May the odds be ever in your favor.”

“Scarlet fever is from untreated strep and comes with a rash all over you. You got the flu. Stay hydrated buddy,” a third recommended.

“Omg I got scarlet two years ago and my doctor laughed at me bc he’s like ‘you’re the first grown adult I’ve seen in a long time with scarlet fever, what is this the late 1800s?’ while they shot a steroid in my hip. I hope you feel better!!” a fourth shared.

@cole_marini

Patch reached out to Marini via TikTok direct message for more information.