Capitol Annex’s Press Room

[Press Release from Congressman Charles Gonzalez (D-San Antonio)
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez testified before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials rail safety hearing, regarding the ongoing rail safety problems in San Antonio, Texas.

Austin, Texas–On Monday Senator Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, received the “Freedom to Teach” Award from the Association of Texas Professional Educators at the Texas State Capitol.

[Press Release from Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo)]
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar voted in favor of a $463 billion joint funding resolution for fiscal year 2007, which completes work on last year’s appropriations bills. Under this resolution most programs will be funded at 2006 levels adjusted for increased pay cost. Adjustments were made to […]

[Press Release from Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth)]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth), Vice Chair of the Republican Conference, today voted against an Omnibus bill (H.J.Res. 20) drafted by the new Democratic Leadership that cuts significant funding for global and national military repositioning, and military training and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan and Iraq.

[Press Release from State Rep. Jerry Madden (R-Richardson)]
(AUSTIN) – Today, Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) named Rep. Jerry Madden (R-Richardson) as Chairman of the Corrections Committee, and as a member of the Civil Practices Committee.

[Press Release From State Rep. Rob Orr (R-Burleson)]
AUSTIN - State Representative Rob Orr, R-Burleson, has been appointed vice-chairman of the Land and Resource Management Committee of the Texas House of Representatives, by Speaker Tom Craddick. Chairman of the Committee is Rep. Anna Mowery, R-Fort Worth.

[Press Release from State Rep. Bill Callegari (R-Katy)]
On Friday, House Speaker Tom Craddick appointed State Representative Bill Callegari (Katy) Chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform.  This is a significant appointment, as it places Representative Callegari as a key member of the Speaker’s leadership team.

[Press Release from State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth)]
(Austin, TX) – Rep. Lon Burnam (D - Fort Worth) filed HB 936 that will adjust the Texas minimum wage for inflation based on the consumer price index today. This legislation
follows on the heals of the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed legislation increasing the federal minimum […]

[Press Release From Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo)]
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar was selected to serve as a member of the United States House of Representatives Small Business Committee.

AUSTIN — The Texas House Democratic Caucus re-elected State Representative Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) as Secretary for the 80th Legislative Session.   The Caucus serves to promote Democratic leadership in the State Legislature.

[Press Release from Texas House Democratic Caucus]
AUSTIN– The Texas House Democratic Caucus met yesterday to elect their leadership for the 80th Legislative session.  Rep. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) was re-elected to his third term as Chair.  The Caucus elected a new Vice-Chair, Jessica Farrar (D-Houston), who was nominated by Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston).  Rep. Terri Hodge […]

[Press Release from State Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio)]
AUSTIN - Senator Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, today filed a bill that would give Texans broader power to protect themselves, their families and their property.

State Representative Stephen Frost (D- Atlanta) was appointed today to serve on three key committees for the 80th Legislative Session.  Rep. Frost was named Vice Chair of the Border and International Affairs Committee.  He will continue to serve on the Committee on Law Enforcement and in addition Frost was named to the Committee on Redistricting.

[Press Release from State Rep. Joe Farias (D-San Antonio)]
AUSTIN– State Representative Joe Farias (D-San Antonio) was appointed today to serve on two key committees for the 80th Legislative Session.  Rep. Farias was named to the House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues and the House Committee on Elections.

[Press Release from State Rep. Pete Gallego]
(AUSTIN)– State Representative Pete P. Gallego was appointed to serve on the influential House Committee on Natural Resources for the 80th Legislative Session. This committee will consider hundreds of bills relating to Texas’ natural resources, including crucial legislation regarding water, water rights, and groundwater districts.

[Press Release from State Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez (D-Weslaco)]
AUSTIN–State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez (D-Weslaco) was appointed today to serve on two key committees for the 80th Legislative Session. Rep. Martinez was named to the House Committee on Insurance and the House Committee on Business and Industry.

[Press Release from State Rep. Betty Brown (R-Terrell)]
AUSTIN - Speaker Tom Craddick announced Friday committee assignments for the 80th Legislative Session. Rep. Betty Brown remains on the House Appropriations Committee and the related role of Agriculture & Livestock Committee budget and oversight chair. She will also serve on the Local and Consent Calendars Committee and […]

AUSTIN, Texas–Today, State Senator Kel Seliger filed Senate Bill 379 to eliminate the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test at the high school level and replace it with end-of-course exams based on the recommended curriculum.  “I believe that too much classroom time is devoted to preparing for and taking the TAKS test. This […]

[Press Release from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott]
AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today prevented a Delaware bank from targeting Texas consumers with misleading credit card offers and abusive collection tactics. The Attorney General’s settlement with Cross Country Bank Inc., now known as Applied Card Bank, and its affiliate, Applied Card Systems, ends a […]

[Press Release from State Rep. Garnet F. Coleman (D-Houston)]
(Austin)–State Representative Garnet F. Coleman (D-Houston) today filed a resolution expressing opposition to sending additional US troops to the war in Iraq. Representative Coleman released the following statement today on the resolution:

[Press Release froom House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam (D-Waco)]
The Texas House today decided against an open-ended suspension of the Texas Constitution, an action that House Democrats hailed as a victory for open government.

[Press Release from State Rep. Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen)]
AUSTIN– State Representative Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) was appointed to serve on two key committees this 80th Legislative Session – the committee on Public Health and the Judiciary  committee.

[Press Release from State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin)]
Austin– State Representative Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) was assigned to the House Committees on Pensions and Investments, Redistricting and Government Reform for the 80th Legislative Session.

[Press Release from Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo)]
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar introduced the Secure Border Crossing Card Entry Act of 2007. A companion bill was introduced by Senator John Cornyn of Texas earlier today. The bill mandates that Mexican nationals with laser visas, a machine-readable border crossing card, be given the same length-of-stay […]

[Press Release from State Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood)]
Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) joined 28 House colleagues on Friday as a member of the House Appropriations Committee appointed by Speaker Tom Craddick.  The Appropriations Committee oversees the allocation of state funds and budget process for the 2008-2009 biennium during the 2007, 80th regular legislative session.