Because of new leadership and transition in the
Texas House, we are getting off to a slower
start than the Senate during this session.
THIS WEEK . .
.
This was a big week. We've all been waiting for
our committee assignments, and on Thursday, we
received them.
The Fort
Worth Star-Telegram had been
speculating that I would lose my chairmanship
because I remained loyal to former Speaker Tom
Craddick. (I had no reason not to. I had not
experienced the same problems with him others
described, and he had always given me plum
committee assignments, listened to me, and
responded when I expressed concerns for my
district.)
The newspaper speculation was incorrect.
Our new Speaker Joe Straus entrusted me with
even more responsibility, appointing me as:
Chairman
House Committee on Pensions,
Investments & Financial Services
an expanded committee that combines the
obligations of two previous committees. This
committee has jurisdiction over all matters
pertaining to: Benefits or participation in
benefits of a public retirement system and the
financial obligations of a public retirement
system; the regulation of securities and
investments; banking and the state banking
system; savings and loan associations; credit
unions; the regulation of state and local bonded
indebtedness; the lending of money; privacy and
identity theft; and oversight of the following
state agencies:
Office of Fire Fighters' Pension Commissioner,
Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement
System of Texas,
Board of Trustees of the Employees Retirement
System of Texas,
Board of Trustees of the Texas County and
District Retirement System,
Board of Trustees of the Texas Municipal
Retirement System,
State Pension Review Board,
State Securities Board,
Financial Commission of Texas,
Credit Union of Texas,
Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner,
Office of Banking Commissioner,
Texas Department of Banking,
Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending,
Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company,
Texas Public Finance Authority,
Bond Review Board
He reappointed me to the
House Committee on Public Health
And I was appointed to a
Select Committee on Federal Economic
Stabilization Funding
responsible for monitoring actions of the
federal government, including legislation and
regulations related to efforts to promote
economic recovery by providing federal funds to
the states. This committee is to examine
federal funding made available to Texas in the
areas of transportation, health care, and
education and make recommendations regarding its
use.
Yesterday, I spent the entire day interviewing
and hiring committee staff.
GETTING DOWN
TO BUSINESS . . .
Now that we have the committee assignments,
filed bills may be referred to committee, and
we'll get our House business underway.
For a complete list of the new Texas House
committees, go to:
www.house.state.tx.us/committees/assignments/81/committee.pdf
Until next time, take care and
thank you
for the privilege of allowing me to serve
you in the Texas House.
Vicki
