High Plains Report

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick (right)announced committee appointments for the 80th legislative session.

Sen. Robert Duncan (R) Lubbock:
State Affairs, Chair; Finance; Jurisprudence; Natural Resources

Sen. Kel Seliger (R) Amarillo:
Criminal Justice, Vice-chair; Administration; International Relations & Trade, Natural Resources

Rep. Warren Chisum (R) Pampa:
Appropriations, Chair; Energy Resources

Rep. Joe Heflin (R) Crosbyton:
Agriculture & Livestock; County Affairs

Rep. Carl Isett (R) Lubbock:
Appropriations, Licensing & Administrative Procedures, Budget and Oversight

BY ENRIQUE RANGEL
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL AUSTIN BUREAU

AUSTIN - Unlike virtually all of his colleagues in the Texas Legislature, Rep. Warren Chisum never went to college.

Yet, in his 18-year legislative career, the Pampa Republican not only became a key player, but now he is chairman of the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee, the most influential committee in the 181-member, two-chamber Legislature.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

In this radio address, Senator Robert Duncan discusses the importance of establishing Groundwater Conservation Districts, their impact on water marketing, and the possible threats to West Texas and Panhandle water supply from metropolitan areas.

www.senatorduncan.com

A tough row to hoe

BY D. LANCE LUNSFORD
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Lubbock and the surrounding region largely depend on agriculture, but the industry faces new challenges.

A power breakfast kicking off the Southwest Farm and Ranch Classic on Tuesday showed the many challenges staring down agriculture and creating a dark cloud that could affect Lubbock.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Harnessing the Wind

BY D. LANCE LUNSFORD
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

It's windy, man.

No, not that Windy Man, the disgraced concrete structure that state officials once planned to put around Lubbock highways.

Rather, it's the non-stop howling variety that is, more and more, bringing money to the region. Investors see potential in what people here have known for a long time about the South Plains and Panhandle - it's windy, man.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Notable priorities:

- Initiatives taken by school districts to increase efficiency and quality of education through innovative measures such as shared services.      

Not only does the Texas Constitution require lawmakers to craft an equitable public school system, it's the right thing to do. We have one public school system in Texas to educate the next generation of leaders.

History shows us that greatness can grow from humble beginnings, and its our job to make sure everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their zip code.

It was with that in mind that rural and urban lawmakers, representing the needs of both rich and poor, crafted a school finance solution that will better serve all Texans.

This latest special session was enormously successful. Poor school districts will have access to more money than ever before, and wealthy districts will be able to keep much more of the money they generate locally.

I recognize that I am the most junior members of the House and for me to speak in this manner, I know, is highly unusual.  However, this may be the only opportunity I have to address this body on a matter that I feel is of utmost importance and lies deep within my heart.  In fact, what I am about to say to you, I believe, is so important that I am going to read it rather than speak freely as I am accustomed to doing.

HB1 is a good bill.  I am wholeheartedly behind reducing and restraining the growth on the egregious burden of property taxes in Texas.  I was glad to vote for it.  Carl stayed up way past his bedtime to watch the passage of HB1 and be a part of this historic legislation which you all have worked so hard on.