The Texas Legislature’s LGBT Caucus, from left: Celia Israel, Mary Gonzalez, Erin Zwiener, Jessica Gonzalez and Julie Johnson. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice)
Rep. Mary Gonzalez was given three plum assignments when Texas House of Representatives committees were announced on Wednesday.
She will serve on the Appropriations and the Public Education committees and will be vice chair of Local and Consent Calendars, the first time an LGBT member of the Texas Legislature has been appointed to a committee leadership position. Appropriations is one of the most powerful committees because that’s where the money comes from and public education is this session’s hottest topic.
Other LGBT Caucus committee assignments:
Rep. Jessica Gonzalez:
Criminal jurisprudence
Urban Affairs
Rep. Celia Israel:
Elections, Vice Chair (sharing the honor with Gonzalez as first time an LGBT person is named a vice chair)
Homeland Security and Public Safety
Rep. Julie Johnson:
Insurance
Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence
Rep. Erin Zwiener:
Agriculture and livestock
Environmental regulation
About her appointments, Jessica Gonzalez said, “I am thrilled to be appointed to the Criminal Jurisprudence and Urban Affairs Committees. I grew up in District 104, and my law practice is based there today. The district is where I watched my parents grow their small business, and it’s where I watched working class Dallasites build our community. I thank Speaker Bonnen for the thought he put into the committee appointments and look forward to getting to work on behalf of my district.”
Johnson filed her first bill this week. HB 959, would allow school districts the flexibility they need to lower property taxes.
Other committee assignments of note: Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, who represents portions of Oak Lawn, will chair the General Investigating committee. Chris Turner, D-Tarrant County, will chair Higher Education and Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, will chair International Relations and Economic Development.
