(This legislative update is produced by the UH System Office of Governmental Relations and the UH Division of University Advancement as a service to the UH System community, our alumni, and our friends.)
Confirming some predictions and adding a few surprises, Speaker Craddick named House committees on Thursday. He named Talmadge Heflin (R-Houston) to chair the Appropriations Committee. Craig Eiland (D-Galveston), Peggy Hamric (R-Houston), and Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) retained their seats on the committee. The speaker rewarded several other area members with seats on the budget-writing committee, including John Davis (R-Houston), Ruben Hope (R-Conroe), and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham).
Rep. Turner, a UH alumnus, was named Speaker Pro Tempore. He is joined in a leadership position by many of his area colleagues. By virtue of his appointment to chair the Ways and Means Committee, Ron Wilson (D-Houston) also serves on the Legislative Budget Board. Beverly Woolley (R-Houston) a UH alumna, will chair the Calendars Committee that determines which bills the House considers. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) will head the Higher Education Committee. Joe Nixon (R-Houston) chairs the Civil Practices Committee and serves on the Higher Education Committee.
Additionally, Kevin Bailey (D-Houston) chairs General Investigating, Peggy Hamric (R-Houston) chairs House Administration, Harold Dutton (D-Houston) chairs Juvenile Justice and Family Issues, Joe Crabb (R-Atascocita) chairs Redistricting, Al Edwards (D-Houston) chairs Rules and Resolutions and Robert Talton (R-Pasadena) chairs Urban Affairs.
For the first time in memory the Speaker appointed freshman legislators to the Appropriations Committee and to serve as vice chairmen. Harris County was well represented in this group as well. Martha Wong (R-Houston), a UH alumna, will be vice-chair of Rules and Resolutions. Corbin Van Arsdale (R-Houston) holds that position on Urban Affairs. Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) is vice chair of a new committee, Local Government Ways and Means. Bill Callegari (R-Houston), a UH alumnus, is vice chair of Natural Resources. Other area vice chairs are Debbie Riddle (R-Houston) for Criminal Jurisprudence, Wayne Smith (R-Houston) for County Affairs, Gary Elkins (R-Houston) Business and Industry and Charlie Howard (R-Sugar Land) for Elections.
The Senate Finance Committee met for the first time this week. They will not begin hearing testimony from agencies until February 10. The full schedule has not yet been posted. The House Appropriations Committee will have an organizational meeting next Tuesday.
The Senate set their standing committee schedule this week. Education will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Their Higher Education Subcommittee will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Mondays. Nominations will meet at 3 p.m. on Mondays.
Click on http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/welcome.htm for the complete membership list.
SIGN UP NOW TO ATTEND UH SYSTEM DAY IN AUSTIN--If you haven't done so yet, plan to attend UH System Day in Austin, sponsored by CATS (Cougar Advocates for Texas). Buses will take hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the four UH System universities to Austin on February 18. The group will "walk the halls" and visit legislators as advocates for higher education in general and for increased funding for our universities in particular. Click here http://www.uh.edu/alumni/involved/cats.html to sign up online.
WATCH HOUSE, SENATE PROCEEDINGS ONLINE--Now you can watch the legislative sessions and committee meetings on line. Click on any of these links for live audio and video images...
Live broadcasts from House chamber and from committee rooms
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/house/broadcast.htm
Live broadcasts from Senate chamber and from committee rooms
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/senate/broadcast.htm
Quicktime panoramic view of House
http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/legislature/2003/video/house.mov
Quicktime panoramic view of Senate
http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/legislature/2003/video/senate.mov