House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments for the Legislature's lower chamber on Thursday, ending speculation over key chairmanships and giving lawmakers the go-ahead to start considering bills.
Of the standing committees, 32 are chaired by men, six by women. That's one more female chair than the 2011 session.
Among the committee chairs, 26 are white, five are black and seven are Hispanic, one more than last session.
They add this interesting nugget:
State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock takes over the Public Education Committee as battle lines are already being drawn over accountability, student testing and school choice reforms. He is well-regarded in public education circles and has drawn support from advocacy groups that oppose private school vouchers — an indication that any legislation enacting such a policy — a priority for his counterpart in the Senate, Dan Patrick — might encounter a hurdle when it comes to the lower chamber.
So there will be a conflict later this year over vouchers, we can plan on it.
ACC Rep Ed Thompson is on the following committees:
- Environmental Regulations
- Special Purpose Districts
