Texas Insider

11:54 am CST - February 12, 2009

Gang of 11: Where are they now?

A look at the chairmanships awarded to the Gang.

The 11 House Republicans instrumental in ousting Rep. Tom Craddick from his position as Speaker received their committee assignments today.

Key Committees:
Calendars – controls the order and placement of bills on appropriate calendars.

State Affairs – oversees bills on hot button social issues such as abortion rights and Voter ID.

Appropriations – jurisdiction over all bills that request money to or from the state treasury.

The 11:

District 7: Rep. Tommy Merritt – Chair of Public Safety

District 10: Rep. Jim Pitts – Chair of Appropriations

District 15: Rep. Rob Eissler – Chair of Public Education

District 17: Rep. Byron Cook – Chair of Environmental Regulation

District 44: Rep. Edmund Kuempel – Chair of Licensing & Administrative Procecures

District 60: Rep. Jim Keffer – Chair of Energy Resources

District 65: Rep. Burt Solomons – Chair of State Affairs

District 66: Rep. Brian McCall – Chair of Calendars

District 83: Rep. Delwin Jones – Chair of Redistricting

District 99: Rep. Charlie Geren – Chair of House Administration

District 121: Rep. Joe Straus – Speaker of the House

5 Comments

Josh Flynn
3:15 pm CST
February 12, 2009

Boy! I sure am glad we got rid of all those pesky conservatives. Finally we can say hello to casinos, goodbye to that “no retribution” mantra that was held so proudly by the previous speaker. By the way I wonder where the conservative are anyway; not any committee chairs, that’s for sure. One thing is for sure, this isn’t the same house chamber as a couple of sessions ago.

CWJensen
7:47 pm CST
February 12, 2009

The Texas gang seems to have learned politics from the Washington Liberals.

Dan
8:55 pm CST
February 12, 2009

ok. So let’s start putting the pressure on and let these guys know we want illegal immigration to stop and don’t hold ANY bills up in committee that would stop illegal immigration. We ESPECIALLY want the Voter ID bill passed!!!

Gary
12:21 am CST
February 12, 2009

I’m afraid as soon as we get a bill passed to get rid of the illegals, BO is going to grant them amnesty by executive order. I don’t know if he can legally do that, but this group only follows the laws that suit them.

zenit
9:39 am CST
February 12, 2009

fyi: Voter ID is handled by the Elections Committee, not State Affairs