Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) announced committee assignments for Texas state representatives Thursday, ending a deadlock in bill proceedings stemming from the lack of committees. The committee list was in line with newly adopted House rules barring minority party chairs and majority party vice-chairs.
All pieces of legislation must be referred to a committee, each of which specialize in a certain subject area. Committees often determine the outcome of a bill, including whether the full chamber will consider the legislation.
A committee’s ideological makeup can determine what kind of legislation gets a House vote — if a committee is made up of more conservative or liberal members, this can affect the outcome. This session’s committees each have a Republican majority, Burrows said in a press release.
“This process is much more than filling seats; it’s about structuring the House in a way that allows each member to contribute their expertise where it truly makes a difference,” Burrows said in a press release. “There is no small role in the committee process, as each plays a unique part in shaping statewide policy.”
The announcement has been much anticipated by members, and comes just under a week later than last year’s assignments.
“Taking the time to get this right was not just necessary–it is what Texans deserve of their government, and I am confident these appointments will position the House for a productive, successful session,” Burrows said.
TSTV News has compiled a breakdown of Travis County representatives and their assignments.
Ellen Troxclair
Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway), who is serving her second term, was appointed to the new Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee, named similarly to the federal Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. She was also appointed to the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax laws.
Last session, Troxclair served on the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee, the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee, the select committee on Community Safety and the select study on Sustainable Property Tax Relief.
Troxclair has experience as a council member on the Austin City Council and manages a real estate business, with a degree in Business Administration from UT.
Sheryl Cole
Rep. Sheryl Cole (D-Austin) is serving her fourth term in the House. Cole was reappointed the Vice-Chair of the House Administration Committee, which oversees day-to-day operations and committee budget allotments in the chamber, and vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs Permanent Standing Subcommittee on County and Regional Government. She is also on the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee.
Last session, Cole also held the role of vice-chair of the House Administration Committee. She was a member of the Business and Industry Committee and the Higher Education Committee.
Cole has a degree in accounting from UT, a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law, has served as a council member on the Austin City Council and has held leadership positions on bond committees in Austin ISD.
Vikki Goodwin
Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin), in her fourth term as a state representative, was appointed to the Appropriations Committee, giving her a say in where budget allocations and state spending go. She was also appointed to the Insurance Committee.
In 2023, Goodwin served on the Agriculture and Livestock Committee, the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee and the select committee on Community Safety.
Goodwin has a degree in Business Administration from UT and a master’s degree in public policy from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. She is a business owner and real estate broker.
Donna Howard
Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) is in her tenth term in the House. Howard was named vice-chair of the Higher Education Committee, responsible for reviewing policies and bills relating to UT and other institutions of higher learning. She was also named to the Appropriations Committee alongside Rep. Goodwin.
Last session, Howard served on the Appropriations Committee, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II and was the vice-chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Strategic Fiscal Review. She was also on the Higher Education Committee, the select study on Sustainable Property Tax Relief and was vice-chair of the select committee on Health Care Reform.
Howard has a nursing degree and a master’s degree in Public Health from UT, where she also taught classes on health education. She was a critical care nurse at multiple hospitals in addition to hospital leadership positions and has served on the Eanes ISD school board.
Gina Hinojosa
Rep. Gina Hinajosa (D-Austin), a fifth term representative, was named to the Land and Resource Management Committee, as well as the Public Education Committee. In her last term, Hinojosa was on the Business and Industry Committee, the Public Education Committee and the select committee for Educational Opportunity and Enrichment.
Hinojosa holds a Plan II degree from UT and a law degree from the George Washington University Law School. She’s practiced civil rights and labor law and has served as president of the AISD school board.
James Talarico
Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) is serving his fourth term in the House. He was named vice-chair of the Trade, Workforce and Economic Development Committee, as well as vice-chair of the Public Education Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education. Talarico was also appointed to the House Administration Committee.
Last term, Talarico was on the Calendars Committee, the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee and the Public Education Committee. He also served on the select committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment.
Talarico earned a government degree from UT and a master’s degree in Education Policy from Harvard University before becoming a public middle school teacher near San Antonio. He is currently a student at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Maria Luisa “Lulu” Flores
Rep. Lulu Flores (D-Austin) is in her second term in the chamber. She was named vice-chair of the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee and was appointed to the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee.
Last term, Flores served on the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee and the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee.
Flores holds a degree in government from UT and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. She has worked in positions in the Texas Legislature, the Texas Railroad Commission and the State Bar of Texas before practicing law in Austin.
