House Higher Education Committees Members Named

Speaker Dade Phelan released his House committee assignments on Wednesday, February 7. The House Higher Education Committee members include:

• Chair: Kuempel, John (R), Seguin, commercial metal sales, University of Texas graduate.
• Vice Chair: Paul, Dennis (R), Webster, Harris County, engineer, small business owner, University of Houston, BS, Masters.
• Burns, DeWayne (R), Cleburne, investment manager, Texas A&M, Tarleton State.
• Clardy, Travis (R), Nacogdoches, lawyer, Abilene Christian, Pepperdine, BA, JD.
• González, Mary of El Paso (D), Clint (El Paso), Consultant, University of Texas, St. Edwards, BA, MA, Doctorate of Education.
• Raney, John (R), College Station, owner, Aggieland Bookstore, Texas A&M, BBA.
• Bucy, John H. III (D), Austin, small business owner, Austin College.
• Burrows, Dustin (R), Lubbock, attorney, Rhodes College, Texas Tech Law, BA, JD.
• Cole, Sheryl (D), Austin, accountant and attorney, University of Texas, University of Texas Law, BBA, JD.
• Howard, Donna (D), Austin, community advocate, nurse (retired), University of Texas, BS Nursing, MS Health Education.
• Lalani, Suleman (D)(F), Sugarland, physician, Baylor College of Medicine

The committee is one of the larger appointed with eleven members, and has a strong leadership presence, including the chair of the Calendars Committee. The membership is also extremely experienced, with Representative Lalani the only freshman. Members attended a wide range of institutions, though none claim community colleges in their official bios. That said, most of the members of the committee have strong records of support for both two and four year institutions, as well as research programs.

What You Can Do

• Contact the offices of the committee members or staff to acknowledge and congratulate them on their appointments.
• Let them know faculty will be following the session closely and participating in the policy process.
• Ask the committee members or their staffs what their main interests are and what goals they may have for higher education policy.
• Report any conversations of note to your state offices, so that we can get a good picture of the committee’s culture.

We will likely see organizing hearings in the next few weeks, and actual agendas with bills at the end of February or early March. With these appointments, the 88th Session is now ready to fully launch.

Register today to visit, in person, with TCCTA Lobbyist, Beaman Floyd, Friday, March 3rd at the 76th Annual Convention at the Westin Galleria in Houston, Texas.