The state senator who represents Brazos County, Charles Schwertner, has been named to the conference committee that will work out the next state budget.
Also appointed were senators Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham, Joan Huffman of Houston, Jane Nelson of Flower Mound, and Chuy Hinojosa of McAllen.
News release from Senator Charles Schwertner’s office:
Today, Senator Charles Schwertner, MD (R-Georgetown) was appointed by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to represent the Senate on the conference committee for HB 1, the state budget for the 2016-2017 biennium.
“It’s a remarkable honor to serve on the committee tasked with finalizing the state budget,” said Schwertner. “Passing a balanced budget is the top priority of the Texas Legislature. As we prepare to go to conference with the House, I look forward to negotiating a responsible state budget that maximizes efficiency, while providing for the essential functions of government.”
The conference committee for HB 1 is comprised of five state senators and five state representatives appointed from their respective chambers to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the General Appropriations Act. Lt. Governor Patrick also named Senators Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Joan Huffman (R-Houston), and Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) to the HB 1 Conference Committee.
“The citizens of Texas expect to see a conservative budget that lives within the means of the state, holds the line on government spending, and provides much-needed tax relief for Texas families,” continued Schwertner. “I expect we’ll ultimately see a budget that adheres to those principles, and I look forward to working with my friends in the Texas House to get us there.”
Earlier this session, Schwertner was appointed by Senator Nelson to lead the preliminary negotiations for the Article II Budget Workgroup, the portion of the state budget dealing with the state’s health and human services agencies. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives in 2011, Senator Schwertner served as a member of the Article II Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations, the budget-writing counterpart to the Senate Finance Committee.