KOLKHORST NAMED SENATE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE CHAIR

  

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick released his list of Senate Committee appointments for the 85th Legislative Session naming Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) as Chair of the powerful Senate Committee on Administration.

Additionally, Senator Kolkhorst has been named a member of the Senate Committees on Finance, Health & Human Services, Transportation, and Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs.

"I look forward to working hard and serving the families of Senate District 18 to the best of my abilities," said Kolkhorst. "I am deeply honored by the responsibility that Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has entrusted in me."

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Administration, Senator Kolkhorst will work closely with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick supervising the many day-to-day functions of the Senate. The Committee controls the Local & Uncontested Calendar, where over half of all bills are considered during the legislative session.  The Administration Committee has the authority over all Senate administrative duties which include but are not limited to: administrative policies, committee budgets, employee policies, and the Senate's purchasing and expenditures.

"To serve in a long line of powerful and talented Senate Administration Chairs is a great privilege," said Kolkhorst. "It is a distinct honor to be the first female Senator to hold this Chairmanship."

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Kolkhorst will have a hand in the crafting of the states' next budget, which last session topped $200 billion. Kolkhorst, says it is familiar territory for her, as she who spent many years as one of the top budget writers in the legislature.

As a member of the Health & Human Services Committee, Senator Kolkhorst will manage the state's public health policy. The committee is responsible for providing oversight to a number of state agencies and boards including the Health & Human Services Commission, Department of Family & Protective Services and the Texas Medical Board among others.

With Senator Kolkhorst's appointment to the Transportation Committee, Kolkhorst will oversee the Texas Department of Transportation and will work with local officials on solving traffic problems and highway needs. With nearly a third of the Texas coastline located in Senate District 18, the committee oversees ports and navigation issues.

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 control over water and property rights.

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2 Comments

  1. Looks like Mrs. Kolkhorst was rewarded handsomely for cosponsoring this distractive bathroom bill legislation. This new powerful and influential position will produce lots of political capital, so losing our local support from bathroom bill fallout won’t matter. And so it goes…..

  2. I have always voted for Mrs. Kolkhorst, even though I support another political party, because she has been a big defender of the BSSLC. However, I have been very disappointed in her for submitting the “bathroom” bill pushed by Lt. Governor Patrick.
    Now it would appear she has been recognized by the Lt.Governor for submitting that
    “nonissue” bill.

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