"We need to align our education policies from K-12 through higher education and workforce development."
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – During the 88th Legislative Session, Lt. Gov. Patrick has announced that he plans to make the Senate Committee on Higher Education a sub-committee of the Senate Committee on Education. Therefore, effective immediately, Mr. Patrick has appointed Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe,) to serve as Chair of the Senate Education Committee during the interim period prior to the 2023 Legislative Session, and Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney,) to serve as Vice Chair.
"The vast majority of jobs in Texas require students to continue their education beyond high school, and there should be a seamless path throughout the educational experience. Now more than ever, we must examine education needs as a continuum, from the earliest grades through post-secondary education," said Patrick while announcing the changes.
“I have had extensive discussions with Sen. Creighton and his team about handling these important assignments, and I have full confidence in him and his team. They will do a great job.
“I have also asked Sen. Angela Paxton to serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Education through the interim.
"I want to thank Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville,) the previous Vice Chair who announced his retirement late last year, for his tireless work over the years. And I also want to thank Sen. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood,) once again for his diligent work as Chair of Education the last 8 years. As a previous Education Committee Chair myself, I know the work that is required on both of these committees," said Patrick.
"Sen. Taylor will continue to serve on the Texas Commission on Virtual Education, as well as the Texas Commission on Community College Finance throughout the rest of this year.”
“I have had extensive discussions with Sen. Creighton and his team about handling these important assignments, and I have full confidence in him and his team. They will do a great job.“I have also asked Sen. Angela Paxton to serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Education through the interim.
"I want to thank Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-Brownsville,) the previous Vice Chair who announced his retirement late last year, for his tireless work over the years. And I also want to thank Sen. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood,) once again for his diligent work as Chair of Education the last 8 years. As a previous Education Committee Chair myself, I know the work that is required on both of these committees," said Patrick.
"Sen. Taylor will continue to serve on the Texas Commission on Virtual Education, as well as the Texas Commission on Community College Finance throughout the rest of this year.”
During the interim period prior to the 2023 Legislative Session, Sen. Creighton will chair both committees and they will continue to meet separately in order to prepare for the upcoming session. Final committee assignments will be made at the beginning of the next legislative session, as usual.
Because of an unusual number of retirements, Lt. Gov. Patrick has also appointed Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury,) to serve on the Senate Committee on Education. Birdwell already serves on the Senate Committee on Higher Education.
