AUSTIN – Today, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced the appointments of Sen. Charles Schwertner, of Georgetown, and Sen. Cesar Blanco, of El Paso, to the Legislative Public Health Oversight Board. Upon making the appointments, Lt. Gov. Patrick issued the following statement:

“I have complete confidence that Sens. Schwertner and Blanco will help provide thorough and necessary oversight for declarations of public health disasters and orders of public health emergencies.”

Charles Schwertner, of Georgetown, is the State Senator for District 5. Schwertner serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce and Chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission. Schwertner is a practicing orthopedic surgeon, treating thousands of patients each year.

Cesar Blanco, of El Paso, is the State Senator for District 29. Blanco serves on the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, Senate Committee on Higher Education, Senate Committee on Transportation and Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Border Security. Blanco is a U.S. Navy veteran.

The Legislative Public Health Oversight Board, created by Senate Bill 966 during the 87th Legislature, provides oversight for declarations of public health and orders of public health emergencies issued by the Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services.

Also serving on the Legislative Public Health Oversight Board by statute are the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senate Committee on State Affairs, Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Education.