AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the appointment of Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance:
“When Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, decided to not run for re-election, I immediately began thinking about who I would name as the next Finance Chair. The position of Finance Chair is one of the most powerful positions in the Senate. That person, along with the Senate Committee on Finance, oversees the budget of the 9th largest economy in the world.
“We have several Senators who are able and capable of taking on this position. Any of them would do a great job. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to name Sen. Joan Huffman to the position.
“Sen. Huffman has served on the Senate Committee on Finance since 2013. She has served as chair of various finance work groups, and I have selected her to the important 5-member conference committee that negotiates the final budget with the House 4 times. She has taken on many key issues in finance and championed the issue of pension reform.
“She served as the Chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs for 3 regular legislative sessions, Chair of the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence, Vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, and this last year as Chair of the Senate Committee on Redistricting. In all of her roles, she has shown she can work with other Senators, listen to their concerns, and bring consensus to the most challenging issues.
“The working relationship between the Lt. Governor and the Finance Chair must be one of total trust, communication and commitment to passing a conservative budget that continues to fully fund education, address our growing healthcare issues, public safety, border security and other key matters while staying within a budget that does not outgrow population times inflation.
“Sen. Huffman has my full trust and support. I know she will have the full trust and support of her fellow Senators as well.”
Upon accepting the appointment, Sen. Huffman said, “I want to thank Lt. Gov. Patrick for this tremendous opportunity to serve the people of Texas. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, I will lead the effort with the help of my Senate colleagues to pass another conservative budget that meets the needs of our growing population, encourages economic growth, and provides for public safety. Texans deserve nothing less.”
Sen. Huffman will officially take on her new assignment starting tomorrow, Wednesday, January 12th, 2022.