Whatever happens in the November elections, the legislative landscape will look very different when the Regular Session convenes in January.
First of all, we will have a new governor—either Atty. Gen. Greg Abbott or Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth). Most media prognosticators are betting on Mr. Abbott, partly because we haven't had a Democrat in statewide office in two decades. However, you can expect a well-funded and interesting race. Some analysts believe Texas is poised (due to demographic factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity) to turn from "red" to "purple."
Because of the defeat of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst by Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) in the Republican primary run-off, this office will change hands as well. Sen. Patrick's opponent is Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio). The Lt. Gov. presides over the Senate, with formidable powers over legislation in that chamber.
Two other changes are noteworthy in the Senate. First, as noted earlier, is the departure of Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), who chaired the important Committee on State Affairs. Second is the appointment (unless something very unexpected happens) of Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) to become the chair of the Committee on Finance. She replaces former chair Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands), who resigned his Senate seat months ago to take a position with Texas A&M University.
As for the House, the most significant change for you and your campus colleagues will be a new chair of the Committee on Higher Education. Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas) resigned from the Legislature to run an unsuccessful campaign for Attorney General. Rep. Branch was instrumental in the passage of outcomes-based funding for community colleges in 2013.
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