Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a "new major legislative initiative for the Texas Senate," a state-funded research institute that could focus entirely on dementia.

On Monday, the lieutenant governor announced the "Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas" (DPRIT) will be a major legislative initiative for the Senate next year. It will be similar to the "Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas" (CPRIT), which has helped bring world-renowned leaders in cancer research to our state.

School voucher supporters say they have the votes to get a bill across both the Texas Senate, led by Patrick, and the House, which has repeatedly blocked such proposals.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick aims to pass legislation to create a new state-funded institute aimed at finding treatments, and possibly a cure, for illnesses such as Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular dementia and traumatic brain injuries.