AUSTIN, Texas - Perhaps Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows of Lubbock thinks agriculture still dominates the Rio Grande Valley economy.
It did 40 years ago. Today, not so much.
The speaker decides which committee each House member serves on. In the case of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock Burrows it has appointed four members from the Valley. Yes, you read that right: FOUR!
They are state Reps. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City, R.D. ‘Bobby’ Guerra of McAllen, Sergio Muñoz of Mission, and Janie Lopez of San Benito. Guillen will chair the committee, and Guerra will be vice chair.
There are nine members on the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. So, the Valley will make up nearly 50 percent of the panel.
Guerra, for his part, is happy.
“Honored to be appointed vice chair of the Agriculture & Livestock committee,” Guerra said, in a statement on social media. “Texas agriculture is key to our economy, and I’m committed to supporting our farmers, ranchers and the industries that drive our state forward.”
While the Valley is top heavy on the agriculture and livestock panel it has no representation on the public education or higher education committees. However, state Rep. Oscar Longoria of La Joya is chair of the Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Workforce.
Here are the committee assignments of the eight-member Valley delegation:
Terry Canales of Edinburg
Calendars
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs
Transportation
Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Transportation Funding (chair)
Erin Gámez of Brownsville
General Investigating (vice chair)
Natural Resources
Transportation
R.D. ‘Bobby’ Guerra of McAllen
Agriculture & Livestock (vice chair)
Energy Resources
Redistricting
Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City
Agriculture & Livestock (chair)
Redistricting
State Affairs
Oscar Longoria of La Joya
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Permanent Standing Subcommittee on International Relations (vice chair)
Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Workforce (chair)
Janie Lopez of San Benito
Agriculture & Livestock
Appropriations
Calendars
Armando Martinez of Weslaco
Appropriations
House Administration
Natural Resources (vice chair)
Sergio Muñoz of Mission
Agriculture & Livestock
Ways & Means
Broadband is important to the Valley. None of the Valley legislators have been appointed to the Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Broadband. However, a good friend of the Valley’s, state Rep. Rafael Anchía of Dallas has been named its Chair.
In this role, Anchía will lead efforts to expand and improve Texas' broadband infrastructure—an essential driver of economic growth, job creation, and access to education and healthcare. Anchía points out that the telecommunications sector supports approximately 100,000 jobs and generates more than $81 billion in annual revenue. With Texas securing $3.3 billion in federal funding and $1.5 billion in state funding to expand broadband and enhance emergency telecommunications, Anchía said, the subcommittee’s work will be critical in bridging the digital divide in both urban and rural communities.
“I am excited to lead a subcommittee that oversees billions of dollars in funding and supports thousands of jobs across Texas,” Anchía said. “Expanding broadband isn’t just about connectivity—it’s about strengthening our economy, improving access to essential services, and ensuring every Texan has the tools to succeed in the modern world. I look forward to working with my colleagues and industry leaders to maximize investments, drive innovation, and close major gaps in our system.”
Rep. Longoria has been appointed to the Committee on Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committees, as well as Vice-Chair of the Permanent Standing Subcommittee on International Relations and Chair of the Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Workforce.
“The economy of the State of Texas, and that of the Rio Grande Valley in particular, continues to grow at an exponential rate, with new industries and jobs created every day,” Longoria said.
“To ensure that our residents and communities can keep pace with this growth, Texas needs to educate and prepare our workforce for the economy of tomorrow. Not only will this strengthen our local businesses, but most importantly, it will give our families the tools needed to land high-paying jobs and improve their quality of life. These committee appointments allow me to do just that.”
Rep. Canales previously served as chair of the Committee on Transportation. Burrows has kept him on the panel and named him Chair of the Texas House Committee on Transportation Funding.
"Being appointed as Chairman of the Texas House Committee on Transportation Funding is a tremendous honor, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that our transportation infrastructure meets the needs of the fast-growing communities in the Rio Grande Valley and across the state," Canales said.
"Having served three sessions as Chair of the Committee on Transportation, I have seen firsthand the impact of strong transportation investments on our economy, safety, and quality of life. This new responsibility will allow me to continue building on that progress, advocating for smart, sustainable funding that supports our future growth and enhances the mobility of Texans for generations to come."
Also reappointed to the committee on Transportation is Rep. Gámez of Brownsville.
“I am also thrilled to be reappointed to the House Committee on Transportation. I look forward to continuing to build on the momentum of last session, where we secured funding to deepen the Port of Brownsville, improve the I-69E corridor, and build the 2nd causeway to South Padre Island. I will ensure that Brownsville’s connection to Texas and the world continues to flourish,” Gámez said.
The Committee on Natural Resources oversees water issues for the state of Texas. The panel has two members from the Valley - Rep. Martinez, who has been named vice chair, and Gámez.
Gámez said: “The House Committee on Natural Resources oversees water issues in the state of Texas, which are of critical importance to the Valley. I am excited to work with my colleagues to address the dire need for additional water resources required to continue industry and life in the Valley.”
