Courtesy photo of Senator Charles Schwertner.
Friday update:
State Senator Charles Schwertner of Georgetown, whose district includes Brazos County, has received a second new committee assignment.
Dr. Schwertner was named chairman of the Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee. The opening came when Jane Nelson was named chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee.
From a news release, Schwertner stated “As a physician who treats patients on a daily basis, I’m eager for the opportunity to use my firsthand experience to build a healthier Texas and help create the kind of patient-centered healthcare system that’s affordable for consumers, accessible for families, and accountable to taxpayers,” said Senator Schwertner. “I’d like to thank Lt. Governor David Dewhurst for this tremendous responsibility, and for his decades of service to our state and nation.”
According to the news release, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services is responsible for setting public health policy for the state, regulating physicians and other healthcare professionals, and providing legislative oversight of the state’s health-related agencies. Senator Schwertner has served as member of the Committee since early 2013, after serving on the House Committee on Public Health during his lone term in the Texas House of Representatives.
“With healthcare costs representing the fastest growing portion of our state and federal budget, there has never been a more critical time for our healthcare system,” said Schwertner. “As Chairman, I intend to do everything in my power to protect patients’ rights, provide much-needed reform to our state’s overburdened Medicaid system, and safeguard Texans from the detrimental effects of Obamacare.”
“For over a decade, Senator Nelson’s leadership of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee has set a standard that will be hard to match, but I’ll work hard to continue her tradition of fighting for a healthier Texas,” said Schwertner. “I welcome the challenge and look forward to getting to work.”
Original story:
State Senator Charles Schwertner of Georgetown, whose district includes Brazos County, has been named to the Senate Finance Committee.
From a news release, Schwertner stated “Passing a balanced budget is the top priority of the Texas Legislature and I look forward to crafting a responsible and conservative state budget that maximizes efficiency, while providing for the essential functions of government,” said Schwertner. “As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I intend to serve as a diligent steward of our taxpayer dollars, hold the line on government spending, provide much-needed tax relief for hard-working Texas families, and do everything in my power to keep Texas on the path to prosperity.”
As a member of the Texas House of Representatives in 2011, Senator Schwertner previously served on the House Committee on Appropriations, the budget-writing counterpart to the Senate Finance Committee.
The committee has a new leader, after former chairman Tommy Williams of The Woodlands resigned to become the top lobbyist of the Texas A&M University System.
Senator Jane Nelson of Flower Mound becomes the first woman to lead the committee. Schwertner’s news release stated “Throughout her distinguished career in the Texas Senate, Jane Nelson has proven herself to be a courageous conservative and a highly-respected legislative leader. I can think of no one better to lead the Senate’s budget-writing committee, and I look forward to continuing our work together as she assumes this new role,” said Schwertner.