More Republicans take over House committees

By Tim Eaton
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Republicans' electoral victories in November translated to a stronger grip on the Texas House on Wednesday as Speaker Joe Straus unveiled committee assignments that increased the number of Republican chairs.

In the exercise that comes at the beginning of every session and often leaves various factions fuming, Straus managed to put together a list of legislative leaders that seemed to satisfy fiscally conservative groups and the House Democrats who supported him in his speaker's race last month.

"I have tried to apply the interests and expertise of individual members to our state's challenges, and to make sure the geographic and demographic diversity of Texas is fairly represented," Straus said in a statement.

Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of the conservative organization Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, said Straus showed "some real improvement" by appointing more fiscally conservative chairs.

"He has done a good job in resetting the House leadership," said Sullivan, a leader of unsuccessful efforts in recent months to oust Straus as speaker.

Despite losing some key chairmanships, Democrats largely accepted their roles without protest.

"Democrats did well," said Jessica Farrar, D-Houston , the House Democratic leader.

"It's quality of assignments, not quantity," she said. "We're well-situated to help with some very serious problems."

The 150-member House has 49 Democrats this session, compared with 74 in 2009. Democrats hold chairmanships of 11 out of almost 40 committees.

Although there will not be any committee chairs from Central Texas, some of those Democratic incumbents said they were happy with their new roles.

Last session, Austin Democrat Mark Strama led the Committee on Technology, Economic Development and Workforce. The committee was broken up this session, and he didn't get a leadership role on either of the new committees. He's now on the Public Education and the Energy Resources committees.

"I like my new assignments better," he said. "In this session, all that matters is mitigating the damage to the state from these budget cuts."

Rep. Donna Howard, an Austin Democrat in the midst of a contested election, remained on the Higher Education, House Administration and Technology committees. Higher education "is one of the most important things to my constituents and my district," she said.

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, was also given an improved assignment, landing on the Calendars Committee, the powerful committee through which all major pieces of legislation must flow.

Another Austin Democrat, Rep. Dawnna Dukes, will serve again on the Appropriations Committee, which writes the House's version of the budget bill, under returning Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie.

The biggest winner out of the new Central Texas Republicans might be Rep. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown , who landed a plum spot on the appropriations panel. Schwertner, a medical doctor, will also sit on the Public Health Committee.

With the committees in place, the real work in the House can begin. The Appropriations Committee already got to work. It had a hearing Wednesday afternoon, and another is set for 7 a.m. today .

teaton@statesman.com; 474-2993

Additional material from staff writer Jason Embry.
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