SENATOR KOLKHORST NAMED TO SENATE COMMITTEES

  

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick released his list of Senate Committee appointments for the 84th Legislative Session, naming Senator Kolkhorst as Vice Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee in addition to naming her to Committees on Finance, Transportation, Public Education and Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs.

“I am deeply honored by the responsibility that Lt. Governor Patrick has entrusted in me, and look forward to working hard to deliver real results to the families of Senate District 18,” said Kolkhorst. "One of my biggest requests was to be placed on the Finance Committee, it is rare that a freshman is placed on Finance and I am ready to go to work. This is a significant opportunity to protect and promote our District."

As Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, Senator Kolkhorst will supervise the state’s public health policy. The Committee is responsible for providing oversight to a number of state agencies including the Health & Human Services Commission, Texas Medical Board, and the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. In the 81st, 82nd, and 83rd Legislatures, Senator Kolkhorst served as Chair of the Public Health Committee in the Texas House.

With her appointment to the Transportation Committee, Kolkhorst will oversee TxDOT and will work with local officials on solving our traffic problems and highway needs. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, she will oversee the crafting of the state’s next budget, which last session topped $196 billion. The state budget is familiar territory for Kolkhorst, who spent six years as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

With much of the state facing water shortages, the Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs Committee will be charged with managing future Texas water needs. Being a member of this committee will be important to Senate District 18, where Kolkhorst has been a vocal advocate for local water plans. As a member of the Education Committee, Kolkhorst will be responsible for public education issues facing Texas, including the challenges to both fast growing areas as well as rural school districts.

Story courtesy of the Office of Senator Lois Kolkhorst