AUSTIN, Texas – Texas House Speaker announced committee assignments on Wednesday and state Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez has retained his position as vice chair of the House Committee on Transportation.
Rio Grande Valley economic development leaders will be delighted with the news because many are pushing for additional funding for key highway infrastructure projects, such as a connector from Military Highway to Expressway 83/I-2.
“I am proud to be representing South Texas once again as the vice chair of transportation. There are many transportation needs in South Texas and I look forward to addressing them,” Martinez, D-Weslaco, told the Rio Grande Guardian.
Martinez’ selection as vice chair takes on even greater significance because state Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen, has been moved off the Transportation Committee. The new chair of the Transportation Committee is state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, a position he has held in the past. So, the border region holds the chair and vice chair slots on Transportation.
Click here to read the make-up of the House committees. Click here to see the assignments by House member.
Sixteen House members represent the 14 Texas counties that border Mexico. Of these 16, five state representatives have been given chairmanships by Straus. In addition to Pickett, the other four are: René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, Tracy King, Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, and Tracy King, D-Batesville. All four have retained the chairmanships they had in the 83rd Legislature.
Oliveira again chairs the Committee on Business & Industry. Guillen again chairs the Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism. Peña Raymond again chairs the Committee on Human Services. And King again chairs the Committee on Agriculture & Livestock.
In addition to Rep. Martinez, six other border state representatives have been named vice chairs by Straus. Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, D-San Benito, is again named vice chair of the Committee on Calendars, Rep. Oscar Longoria, D-La Joya, becomes a vice chair for the first time. He takes on the No. 2 slot on the Committee on Investments & Financial Services. Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Mission, also becomes a vice chair for the first time. He takes on the No. 2 slot on the Committee on Insurance.
Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, becomes a vice chair for the first time. He takes on the No. 2 slot on the Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety. Rep. Marisa Márquez, D-El Paso, becomes a vice chair for the first time. She takes on the No. 2 slot on the Committee on House Administration. Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, becomes a vice chair for the first time. He takes on the No. 2 slot on the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.
Rep. Oliveira made this comment on his chairmanship of the Committee on Business & Industry: “The committee focuses on the protection of Texas workers while working to foster a healthy business climate to create new jobs and retain sound businesses in our state. I am honored to be given the opportunity to preside over this important committee once again.”
Oliveira has also been appointed once again to the State Affairs Committee, which handles issues relating to the electric, telecommunications, and cable industries. “The industries overseen by the committee affect the pocketbooks of Texas ratepayers. State Affairs balances consumer protections with improving the Texas economy,” Oliveira said.
Rep. Peña Raymond made this comment on his chairmanship of the Committee on Human Services. “I am privileged and honored to earn the trust of the Speaker of the House to continue serving as Chairman and am ready to press ahead with our efforts to improve worker-earned health necessities for our children, parents and grandparents.”
In addition to border legislators, state representatives representing Coastal Ben districts near the border did will under the committee assignments. Speaker Straus appointed Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, chair of the Committee on Calendars, Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, chair of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, and Rep. J.M. Lozano, R-Kingsville, chair of the Committee on Redistricting.
“I am honored to be placed in a position where I can affect positive change for all Texans,” Rep. Herrero said. “I look forward to continuing to work toward smart approaches to criminal justice, focusing on making our streets safer for our children and communities,” said Herrero, who also chaired criminal jurisprudence last session.
Lozano has additionally been named vice chair of the Committee on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs. The committee is chaired once again by Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas. There are no border House members on the Committee on International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs.
Rep. Muñoz gave these comments on his appointment as vice chair of the Committee on Insurance: “My new role on this Committee will provide me a greater voice on various issues that impact our daily lives, such as medical, health, automobile, and life insurance, as well as insurance policy structure, rates, and coverage.”
Rep. Guerra retained his slot on the Committee on Public Health. He made this comment about his appointments: “I am pleased that the Speaker granted my request and placed me on committees where I can best serve my constituents in District 41. I am honored to continue working alongside my colleagues towards our common goal of a successful session. I am eager to get back to work and make a meaningful contribution to the great state of Texas.”
State Rep. Mary E. González, D-El Paso, was pleased with her appointments to the Committee on Public Education and the Committee on Agriculture & Livestock. “I am very pleased to be appointed to the Public Education Committee which has not had a representative from El Paso County since 1979. Agriculture and public education are not only two of the top issues facing House District 75, but they are fundamental components of our state’s economic strength. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues on the important issues that these committees will address,” González said.
Speaking of his appointments, Speaker Straus said: “With only 118 days left in the legislative session, we have a lot of important work ahead of us. With these assignments, I have placed Members where I believe they can have the greatest impact on issues that directly relate to our economy and our future. I want to thank Members in advance for their work.”
Straus pointed out that House members agreed to have 38 standing and procedural committees in the House this legislative session. Straus also created two select committees. Of those 40 committees, 24 will have new chairmen, including ten Members who chaired different committees during the 83rd Legislature.
“The work ahead is too important for this to be a status-quo session,” Straus said. “These appointments will allow some of our committee chairs to bring their perspectives and leadership to a fresh set of issues, and that new thinking will benefit the entire House. Many other Members are also moving into new positions of responsibility, and I am very confident in the work they’re going to do.”
Straus said that in making his selections he considered the needs and priorities of rural and urban areas in every region of the state, as well as the diversity of the House membership. Thirteen of his chairs are minorities and nine are women. He picked 28 Republicans and 12 Democrats to chair the 40 committees.
“These assignments reflect the makeup of the House,” Speaker Straus said. “They also reflect a collaborative and results-oriented culture that has worked very well in recent years. The House is a place that encourages Members to find common ground and build consensus around serious solutions.”
