Legislators receive committee assignments

As the 88th Legislative Session in Texas and the 118th Congressional Session in Washington, D.C. get under way, most of the people who serve Parker County in their districts have received committee assignments.

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams was selected to chair the House Committee on Small Business. The committee was originally formed in 1941 to advocate for more protections and better government policies for America’s small businesses.

“As a life-long small business owner, I am both humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business,” Williams said. “From out-of-control inflation to broken supply chains, I have first-hand experience dealing with the current problems facing America’s job creators. As the Republican majority works on solutions to these pressing issues, it is essential we have a small business owner at the helm of this committee to be the voice for Main Street America. Under my leadership, the Committee on Small Business will be a fierce advocate for free market principles and pro-growth policies.”

Within the Small Business Committee, Williams also serves on the Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development and the Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development.

Williams also serves on the Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over issues pertaining to the economy, the banking system, housing, insurance, and securities and exchanges. Additionally, the committee also has jurisdiction over monetary policy, international finance, international monetary organizations, and efforts to combat terrorist financing.

Williams’ 25th Congressional District includes southern Parker County.

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, whose district includes northern Parker County, became chair of the Appropriations Committee, which plays a major role in the budgeting process. Granger is also chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and serves on the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee and the Energy and Water Subcommittee.

In Austin

State Senator Drew Springer, whose district covers northeastern Parker County, has been assigned by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to be vice chair of the Administration and Local Government committees. In addition, Springer will serve on the Education; Higher Education; Nominations; Water, Ag, and Rural Affairs; Sunset; and Redistricting committees.

"I am honored that Lt. Governor Patrick has appointed me to serve on six additional committees and as vice-chair on two of them. It has been a privilege to serve on both Sunset and Redistricting, and I look forward to continuing to serve on those committees and the additional six that I was appointed to today,” Springer said. “I will work with my fellow committee members to advance legislation that will drive the Texas Miracle, support our schools while empowering parents, protect resources, limit overreaching regulations, and preserve our Texas values."

State Senator Phil King, whose district includes southwestern Parker County, has been named as vice chair of the Business & Commerce Committee. He will also serve on the Border Security, Criminal Justice, Transportation and Education committees, and on the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Education Committee.

“I want to thank Lt. Gov. Patrick for his trust and confidence in naming me to these vitally important committees,” King said. “I’m especially excited about the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair of the Business and Commerce Committee. For Texas to continue leading as an economic powerhouse, we must ensure an environment of limited, streamlined regulations and low taxes that promotes commerce, innovation, and opportunity. This committee is also charged with correcting critical problems facing Texas’ electric power grid, a topic I spent a great deal of time on in the Texas House.”

At press time, Texas House committees had not been named.