Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

State Senator Judith Zaffirini.

AUSTIN, January 31 - Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has named Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, chair of an upgraded Senate Committee on Higher Education.

Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, replaces Zaffirini as vice-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, though Zaffirini retains her place on the powerful, 15-member panel. Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, remains chair of Finance, while Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, keeps his slot on the panel.

Dewhurst announced the new line ups for the 20 Senate committees and subcommittees late Friday evening.

“I am absolutely delighted to be named chair of the Higher Education Committee. Having a separate committee for higher education will ensure issues are addressed more swiftly, more efficiently, more thoroughly and more fairly,” Zaffirini told the Guardian.

Zaffirini had chaired the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee, an offshoot of the Senate Education Committee. Signifying his interest in higher education issues, Dewhurst has now upgraded the subcommittee into a full standing committee.

Capitol observers had commented that legislation approved by the Higher Education Subcommittee was not getting to the floor of the Senate in a timely fashion. The bills needed to be reviewed again by the full Education Committee and some of its members were not always well-versed on the issues, having not heard testimony given to the subcommittee. All that will change with a stand alone Higher Education Committee.

Among the major issues Zaffirini expects her panel to deal with in 2009 are tuition deregulation, the Top 10 Percent rule, and whether to upgrade one or more of the state’s second tier universities to the rank of a national research university. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is hoping UT-El Paso or UT-San Antonio gets the nod because of the high number of Hispanic students they have.

“Bravo to the lieutenant governor for separating higher education from public education. He is keenly aware that the issues in higher education can be complex,” Zaffirini added.

Zaffirini is the second longest serving member of the Senate and the longest serving Hispanic and woman. The 81st session will be her 23 year in the Senate. She has been a member of the Education Committee since 1989, a member of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services since 1987, and a member of the Finance Committee since 1991. She said she was “delighted” to stay on the Finance and Health and Human Services Committees.

Zaffirini has also been named a member of the newly formed Senate Committee on Economic Development, which will be chaired by Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington. “This will be an exciting new challenge for me,” Zaffirini said. “I look forward to hearing from groups like the Texas Border Coalition as we consider economic development legislation.”

Zaffirini also stays on the Senate Administration Committee. This panel considers the 75 percent of bills that are either uncontested or local.

State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, said he hopes Zaffirini remains a member of the state budget conference committee that reconciles the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. Zaffirini was an automatic pick for the conference committee while serving as vice-chair of Finance. That may not be the case this session.

“I hope Senator Zaffirini keeps her position on the budget conference committee. She has been such a champion on keeping riders, formulas and appropriations for education, health and a host of human services,” Shapleigh told the Guardian.

Hinojosa said he was “delighted” to be named vice chair of the Finance Committee.

“I value Governor Dewhurst's trust in my commitment to Texas and the Senate. Anyone will tell you, Texas faces serious challenges during this budget cycle. People are losing their homes, their jobs, and economic forecasts offer few upsides to 2009,” Hinojosa said.

“The Finance Committee will be making some tough decisions during this legislative session. We need to maintain and create economic momentum in the marketplace and we need to make sure Texans can access basic services.”

Hinojosa's other appointments include a slot on the Criminal Justice Committee, which will allow him to continue his years of work on reforming the Texas criminal justice system, particularly the Texas Youth Commission.

Hinojosa also keeps his place on the Natural Resources Committee. Hinojosa said that after an extensive series of hearings throughout Texas in 2008, he has acquired a better understanding of how Texas can best manage its water resources and keep its air clean for a growing population.

“With these appointments, the Senate can begin earnest discussions on policy and get back to basics. Now is the time to get to work, to share ideas for solutions, and to work as a legislative body of partners,” Hinojosa added.

Senator Shapleigh stays on the Homeland Security and Transportation Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, and the Veterans Affairs and Military Installations Committee, on which he will be vice-chair. He continues as chair of the Subcommittee on Base Realignment and Closure.

“For us, tracking health and human services, CHIP, Medicaid and veterans’ issues are key. We can do great things working on these committees,” Shapleigh said.

Senator Lucio continues his long run as chair of the International Relations and Trade Committee. In addition to Finance and IRT, Lucio will continue serving on the State Affairs Committee and the Business and Commerce Committee. He was newly appointed to the Government Organization Committee that studies the function, structure, funding and operations of the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), among other issues.

“I am grateful that Lt. Gov. Dewhurst has entrusted me to continue serving Senate District 27 and the people of Texas with these critical committee assignments,” Lucio said. “Working with my fellow colleagues, I have been fortunate to build a meaningful record of accomplishments with these committee appointments, especially as chair of the International Relations and Trade (IRT) Committee and as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and look forward to furthering these efforts.”

Lucio said that as a member of Finance, he will work with other budget writers to “ensure that the needs of South Texas and of growing rural populations across the state will be better addressed by our agencies and programs.”

Lucio pointed to this week’s State of the State address, in which Gov. Rick Perry noted that Texas needs to invest strategically to ensure better guided growth within the economy. “With this effort, we must be certain that populations in need, like the elderly, disabled and low-income families, are not left behind,” Lucio said.

Lucio said that by serving on the Business and Commerce Committee, he will be able to better protect consumer interests. “We have oversight of the state's public utilities that include electricity, natural gas, water, sewage and even telephone services. We also oversee all types of insurance programs and pass laws affecting this industry,” Lucio said.

Lucio said he is also committed to helping “distressed areas along the border and in rural areas to address their housing, economic development, and workforce needs so that we can build self-sustaining communities to a level that better resembles the more prosperous regions of our state.”

At press time, the Guardian could not reach Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, for comment on his committee assignments. Uresti represents the largest stretch of the Texas-Mexico border, from the outskirts of El Paso all the way south to Eagle Pass. Uresti was appointed vice-chair of the Administration Committee, vice-chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, and the Natural Resources Committee.