Lt. Governor David Dewhurst yesterday issued new committee assignments to members of the Texas Senate, with area Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) receiving an appointment to the senate finance committee.
Patrick, a fiscal conservative, predicted the upcoming session of the state legislator would see significant financial challenges.
“As everyone knows, this is going to be a challenging budget cycle,” Patrick said. “I look forward to working with (committee) Chairman (Steve) Ogden in the coming months and tackling the difficult issues that are in front of us.”
Last week, Patrick was also asked to serve on the select committee on redistricting.
Additionally, earlier this year Patrick was chosen to serve on the select committee on public school finance. That committee has already met several times and will make recommendations on how to improve the school finance structure.
“I requested a position on finance, redistricting and the select committee on school finance,” Patrick explained. “I am most appreciative of the lieutenant governor giving me the opportunity to serve on these three important committees.”
Patrick will be one of the most active senators in Austin during the coming year as he works on these new assignments while retaining his position on health and human services; criminal justice; intergovernmental relations and as vice chairman of education.
“With these new assignments, the people of Senate District 7 will have a major seat at the table as we work on these important issues during the upcoming session,” Patrick said.
Patrick’s senatorial district includes much of western Harris County, including parts of the Katy area.
