AUSTIN, Texas - State Rep. Rafael Anchía, one of the border region’s greatest allies in the state legislature, is to continue as chairman of the House Committee on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs.
House Speaker Joe Straus announced his committee assignments on Thursday and Anchía, a Democrat from Dallas, was thrilled to keep his top assignment.
State Rep. Rafael Anchía“I want to thank Speaker Straus for appointing me to lead this important committee. We will work to promote trade and foreign direct investment in Texas, the 10th largest economy in the world,” Anchía told the Rio Grande Guardian.
“International trade is vital to our state's economy and supports about three million Texas jobs. We will thoroughly scrutinize state and federal proposals that harm the bilateral relationship between Texas and Mexico, our No. 1 trading partner, which accounts for 15 percent of our state's GDP.”
Anchía is an attorney with a global law firm and the co-founder of an international real estate private equity firm. He said that, as such, he understands Texas' “privileged position” at the center of North America, the most powerful trading block in the world. He pointed out that the state's trade infrastructure makes Texas globally competitive and facilitates billions of dollars of private investment in logistics and supply chain operations.
“In Texas, trade is not a dirty word. It is the blood that runs through the veins of our economy. Our border with Mexico is a blessing rather than a challenge. It will be important for business and elected leaders in our state to tell the federal government 'Don't mess with Texas,” Anchía added.
In announcing his committee appointments, Speaker Straus said he wanted to utilize the strength of the other 149 House members and allow them to work on issues that matter to their districts.
House Speaker Joe StrausThere are 38 standing committees in the House. In addition, Speaker Straus established two select committees: The Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility, and the Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation & Infrastructure.
Eight Members will chair committees for the first time, while 11 returning chairs are now leading new committees. “These assignments reflect the diversity of the Texas House,” Speaker Straus said. “Some very good members are taking on new challenges. I’m looking forward to their leadership. There is always a balance to strike between continuity and fresh thinking, and I think we have the right mix.”
Straus said House committees will begin meeting in the coming days.
Perhaps the most important of Straus’ selections for the Rio Grande Valley was the appointment of state Rep. Oscar Longoria as vice chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee. This panel crafts the state budget. The equivalent position in the Senate is vice chair of the Finance Committee, a post held by state Sen. Juan Hinojosa of McAllen. So, the Valley holds influential leadership positions on the two panels that write the state budget. This could be crucial in a year when the budget is expected to be cut due to lower than expected state revenues.
State Rep. Oscar Longoria“I am honored to serve as vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee and I value the trust instilled in me by Speaker Straus. He has always shown great commitment and investment to South Texas, working alongside the Rio Grande Valley Delegation each session to ensure our region is supported and that our economic standing remains strong,” said Longoria, D-La Joya.
“I thank him for his continued support and for allowing me to grow in this new leadership position. This will be a challenging yet gratifying session, as we look towards improving and modernizing our budget and funding processes. I hope to continue to create positive impacts in our region and foster legislation that will positively affect not only the Rio Grande Valley, but all of Texas.”
The 28-member Appropriations Committee has three border members – Longoria, Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Mission, and Rep. Mary E. González of Socorro.
In addition to Appropriations, other two major committees are Calendars and State Affairs. The 13-member State Affairs Committee handles issues relating to the electric, telecommunications, and cable industries. It has two border lawmakers on it – Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, and Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City. The 15-member Calendars Committee, which handles the placement of bills on the major state calendar and general calendar, has one border lawmaker on it – Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass.
State Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, is dean of the Valley legislative delegation. Speaker Straus has named Oliveira as chair of the seven-member House Committee on Business and Industry for a third consecutive session. The panel oversees the construction industry, the workers’ compensation system, and issues relating to business practices in Texas.
State Rep. René Oliveira“The committee focuses on protecting workers while fostering a healthy business environment to maintain a healthy business climate in Texas,” said Oliveira. “I am honored to be given the opportunity to chair this important committee once again.”
Oliveira was also appointed to the newly formed House Select Committee on Ports, Innovation and Infrastructure that will oversee enhancing Texas ports and increasing their impact on the Texas economy.
“We know that our seaports, border points of entry, and their connections with railroads and roadways are essential to the flow of commerce, especially in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Oliveira. “Ports, both land and sea, are a major driver of new jobs and the attraction of new businesses to Texas. The deepening and widening of our seaports is essential to our success in competing globally with expansion of the Panama Canal. The free flow of commerce at our border points of entry impacts the entire state and nation.”
Another key assignment for the Valley is that of state Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez as vice-chair of the Transportation Committee, a post the Weslaco Democrat has held for the past two sessions. The Valley has some big hopes in the transportation arena this session, including funding to expand the I-2/I69C interchange in Pharr and additional dollars to improve Valley Metro’s bus services in rural and colonia areas.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on the House Committee on Transportation,” Martinez said.
Martinez pointed out that the Transportation Committee has jurisdiction over all modalities of transportation and agencies such as the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Texas Transportation Commission. Martinez said his position on the committee has allowed him to secure funding for, and advance, numerous projects throughout the Valley.
State Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, has been appointed Chair of the House Committee on Land and Resource Management.
“I am humbled and honored to serve in a position where I can contribute positively to the Coastal Bend and all of Texas,” Rep. Herrero said. “I look forward to ensuring responsible stewardship of our public lands, preserving private property rights and protecting our beautiful coastal beaches.”
Land and Resource Management oversees all matters relating to management of public lands, the power of eminent domain, zoning and regulation of land use.
State Rep. Jose Manuel ‘J.M.’ Lozano, R-Kingsville, has been named the new chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. He said he hopes to emulate the success of one of his idols.
“Growing up in Jim Wells County and graduating from Premont High School in 1998, I proudly watched the late Rep. Irma Rangel of Kingsville serve as the first Hispanic Chair of the Higher Education Committee from 1995 to 2003. I am so humbled to continue her legacy in fighting for greater access, quality and affordability in Higher Education for all Texans,” Lozano said.
“I look forward to working with everyone to protect our institutions of Higher Education and continuing to promote Texas as a beacon of hope and opportunity in Higher Education. Whether they be high school students or adults seeking a community college degree, a vocational/tech certification or a 4-year degree from a university, they are all part of our system of Higher Education and they must all be given equal importance in the eyes of all Texans.
“Regardless of when and where someone chooses to pursue a higher education in Texas, they and their families should be proud and we hope to do all we can to shine a spotlight on their sacrifices, dedication and achievement to grow that pride.”
State Rep. César Blanco of El Paso has been appointed vice-chairman of the House Committee on Defense and Veteran Affairs. He has been one of the most vocal House members in support of the Hazlewood education benefit.
“I am honored to be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Defense and Veterans' Affairs Committee. I thank Speaker Straus for his confidence and trust in this appointment,” Blanco said.
“As vice-chairman, I will continue to champion issues that improve opportunities and care for our brave men and women who selflessly served our great Country. It is important, as a legislature, we stand by the promises we have made to our veterans and their families, such as the Hazlewood education benefit.
“I will also work to improve our military infrastructure, including strengthening our military communities to improve local economies and protect against future BRACs. The 15 major military installations in Texas generate more than $136.6 billion in economic activity here each year, and add $81.4 billion to our gross state product. They also generate $48.1 billion in annual personal income and support, directly and indirectly, nearly 806,000 Texas jobs. Promoting our military communities is a matter of state and economic security.”
State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, has been assigned to the Calendars Committee, General Investigating and Ethics Committee, and the Natural Resources Committee. He will continue to serve as Vice-Chair of Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
"I am extremely honored to be appointed to committees that are not only vital statewide, but vital to the constituents of House District 74. Speaker Straus has placed me in positions where I can best serve my constituents.” Rep. Nevárez said. “I would like to thank the Speaker and his staff for their hard work in putting the committees together so that we can do the people’s work."
State Rep. R.D. ‘Bobby’ Guerra, D-McAllen, has been reappointed to two of the more important committees - Energy Resources and Public Health.
“I am pleased with my House committee assignments and look forward to working with my colleagues on some of our state's most pressing issues, including healthcare and our robust energy industry,” Guerra said.
State Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Mission, has been apppointed vice-chair of the Insurance Committee, in addition to being reappointed to the Appropriations Committee.
“I am sincerely honored and grateful to be re-appointed to these very important committees by Speaker Joe Straus,” said Muñoz after receiving his assignments. “I thank Speaker Straus for entrusting me with these assignments and for placing me in a position to continue to serve Texas through my work on these committees.”
Regarding his appointment to the Insurance Committee, Muñoz said: “I have been a strong advocate on behalf of consumers and I look forward to working towards finding a better balance in the marketplace. I am prepared to work alongside my friend and colleague, Chairman Larry Phillips on the tough issues that will come before the committee this legislative session.”
State Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, has been reappointed to the House Committee on Energy Resources, and reappointed to the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.
Canales pointed out that the Energy Resources Committee has widespread jurisdiction over proposed laws and policies that, among its duties, deals with the conservation of the energy resources of Texas, the production, regulation, transportation, and development of oil, gas, and other energy resources, protecting the environment, and the activities of the Railroad Commission of Texas.
“I appreciate the confidence of Speaker of the House Joe Straus, who announced the House committee assignments, to allow me to build on my expertise and achievements with these two very important working groups of legislators,” said Canales. “Generating economic development and protecting Texans from crime are among the highest priorities of the Texas Legislature, and I will have a direct say on these goals through my service on the House Energy Resources and Criminal Jurisprudence committees.”
