It is not often that the Texas Senate makes major changes during the interim but today Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the presiding officer of the chamber, shuffled eight chairmanships.
However, Sens. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, and Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, remained chairmen of their respective committees, State Affairs and Redistricting.
"Texas is facing a number of complicated challenges, from creating jobs and balancing the budget, to securing our border, improving public education, building new highways and ensuring a clean environment," Dewhurst said in a statement. "That is why it is critical to continue to have experienced legislators serving as committee chairs as we prepare to meet these important challenges when the 82nd Legislature convenes in January."
The most important change Dewhurst made was taking the Transportation & Homeland Security chairmanship from Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, and giving it to Sen. Tommy Williams, R-the Woodlands. Carona has been an outpoken critic of the embattled Texas Department of Transportation.
Also, Natural Resources, a committee critical for West Texas becasue it deals with water issues, went to Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, a West Texan.
What remains to be seen is how Senate Democrats and Austin watchers respond to the shuffle. Although 12 of the 31 members of the Senate are Democrats, all chairmanships went to Republicans.
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