Dewhurst Announces Major Committee Changes in Senate

Tommy Williams to Chair Finance more changes announced in the near future.

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas After spending the last few weeks meeting with almost every member of the Texas Senate it is clearly going to be a challenging Session. We need to continue to balance the budget without raising taxes fight intrusive federal health care changes and pass key conservative reforms which is why we need proven leadership in these areas said Lt. Governor Dewhurst earlier today announcing the appointments of several major Senate Committee Chairs.  

Perhaps of greatest signigicance Lt. Governor Dewhurst announced that Senator Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) has been appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Senator Williams is a strong conservative who has ably served on Senate Finance and led on major issues facing Texas Lt. Governor Dewhurst said.  Im confident in his ability to prioritize state spending and continue balancing a transparent state budget without raising taxes.  I look forward to working closely with him this Session to ensure that Texas government lives within its means.

Senator Williams replaces Senator Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and will chair the upcoming Senate Finance hearing on August 29 2012. Dewhurst also announced the reappointment of Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.  Equally knowledgeable about the state budget Senator Nelson is the most qualified member of the Texas Senate to lead the Health and Human Services Committee Lt. Governor Dewhurst said.  As we work together to rein in health care costs and fight the implementation of Obamacare in Texas I am eager to work side-by-side with Senator Nelson again this Session said Dewhurst expressing conern for possible & dramatic increases in Medicaid costs. Lt. Governor Dewhurst also reappointed Senator Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) as Chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs. While he is knowledgeable about the budget and school finance Senator Duncan chairs the important Senate Committee on State Affairs and has helped pass critical issues such as Voter ID and tort reform Lt. Governor Dewhurst said. He is a problem-solver whom I have relied on time and time again on a variety of complex issues and I will continue to depend on his leadership and judgment this Session. Lt. Governor Dewhurst will complete the reorganization of the Senate committees in the near future.