AUSTIN - Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, one of House Speaker Joe Straus' top lieutenants, was returned to the chairmanship of the House Administration Committee on Wednesday, but Tarrant County lost representation on the powerful committee which oversees public schools.
Rep. Diane Patrick, R-Arlington, retained her post on the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee and was named vice-chairman of the Higher Education Committee.Collectively, the committee assignments announced Thursday by House Speaker Joe Straus seemed to reflect the diminished seniority in the 11-member Tarrant County delegation following the 2012 elections. Only four members who represented Tarrant County in the 2011 session are back for the 2013 Legislature.Tarrant County has only one chairmanship - Geren's - for 2013, compared to two in 2011. It had two members on the Public Education Committee in 2011 but will have no representation on the panel for 2013. Education is considered one of the top issues facing lawmakers this year.Nevertheless, Patrick's appointments to the appropriations committee and higher education will give Tarrant County a voice in shaping the state budget for the next two years and overseeing issues affecting colleges and universities. Patrick's district includes the University of Texas at Arlington.Dave Montgomery is chief of the Star-Telegram's Austin BureauTwitter: @daveymontgomery
Committee assignments for Tarrant's House members
Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth
Criminal Jurisprudence
Energy Resources
Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake
Government Efficiency and Reform
International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs
Rep. Nicole Collier
Defense and Veterans Affairs
Local and Consent Calendars
Public Health
Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth
Chair, House Administration
Calendars
Licensing and Administrative Procedures
State Affairs
Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth
Land and Resource Management
Special Purpose Districts
Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth
Elections
Human Services
Rules and Resolutions
Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth
County Affairs
Special Purpose Districts
Vice-chair, Higher Education
Appropriations
Rules and Resolutions
Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Hurst
County Affairs
Special Purpose Districts
Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie
Environmental Regulation
Insurance
Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington
Defense and Veterans Affairs
Public Health
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