Flores, Troxclair receive Texas legislative committee appointments
State Sen. Pete Flores and state Rep. Ellen Troxclair recently received their committee appointments for the 88th Texas Legislature. Courtesy photos
The newly elected state representative and state senator for Burnet and Llano counties have received their committee assignments for the 88th Texas legislative session now underway.
House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) appointed Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway) of District 19, which includes Burnet County, to the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee and the Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee.
Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) was assigned to the Senate Committees on:
- Education;
- Criminal Justice;
- Finance;
- and Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.
He was named vice chair of the Education Committee.
Flores represents Burnet and Llano counties in Senate District 24.
The House seats 34 standing committees that meet throughout a legislator’s term, which is two years.
“These assignments were made after careful consideration and extensive reflection, taking into account the committee preferences expressed by each member as well as the diverse talents they bring to the table,” Phelen said in a media release announcing the House committees.
Troxclair told DailyTrib.com she is happy with her assignments.
“These are two committees that are critical to House District 19,” she said. “Homeland Security and Public Safety are about securing our borders and supporting our police officers. Culture, Recreation, and Tourism oversees our state parks and our tourism industry, which is growing rapidly in this district.”
Troxclair’s district also includes Gillespie County, home to the Fredericksburg wine and peach industries.
“Ultimately, these committees are going to be a great place to protect Hill Country values and resources,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting to work and getting committees started as soon as possible.”
The Texas Senate seats 16 committees, which also work year-round, despite biennial legislative sessions. Senators are usually elected to four-year terms, but 2022 was a redistricting year, and new lines were drawn for the body’s 31 geographic districts.
In a drawing for terms of office, Flores was granted a four-year term while several other newly elected state senators will have to run for re-election in two years.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his committee appointments as head of the Senate.
“This is the strongest, best-equipped group of senators in Texas history,” Patrick said in a media release. “They are proven leaders with the expertise and experience needed to keep Texas moving in the right direction. That includes the most outstanding freshman class we have ever had.”
Although Flores is a member of that freshman class, he has some seniority as a state senator for District 19 in the 86th Legislature from 2018-21.
He was put on the exact committees he requested.
“You have to have a seat at the right table,” he told DailyTrib.com in a sit-down interview just before he was sworn into office. “Being on the Finance Committee, you have influence on where funds are being expended.”
Flores also served on the Finance Committee during his stint as a senator in the 86th legislative session. At that time, he served on six committees.
“I never missed a vote,” he said. “I was certified 100 percent present and I intend to do it again, Lord willing.”
