AUSTIN, Texas – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has appointed state Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
The Brownsville Democrat replaces state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, who has served as No. 2 on the panel that crafts the state budget for the past several sessions.
“I am proud to appoint Sen. Eddie Lucio as vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,” Patrick said.
“Sen. Lucio’s commitment to principle, his past finance committee experience and his long record of service to the people of Texas make him the right senator to take on the budget challenges of the upcoming session.”
Patrick paid tribute to Sen. Hinojosa. “I want to thank Sen. Hinojosa, who has served as vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for over a decade. I appointed him vice chairman shortly after I was elected Lt. Governor in 2015.”
Lucio is the third highest-ranking senator in the Texas Senate, having been elected senator in 1990. He said he was honored by the new appointment.
“In these most trying times, I am truly humbled by the trust Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has shown in me with this most meaningful appointment,” Lucio said.
“It is an honor and privilege to be appointed as the vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. As I have repeatedly shared with my constituents, I will continue to use my seniority and earned leadership positions to work tirelessly to ensure that the best interests of southern and coastal communities are well served during the 2021 Legislative Session.”
Lucio pointed out that he has been appointed to the Senate Committee on Finance by three former Lt. Governors. He was first appointed to this leadership position in 1995 during the 74th Regular Session by-then Lt. Governor Bob Bullock. In 2001, during the 77th Regular Session, then-Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff re-appointed Sen. Lucio to Senate Finance. Most recently, during the 80th Regular Session in 2007, then-Lt. Governor David Dewhurst re-appointed Sen. Lucio to the panel.
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