By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
Dallas – Some of North Texas' Republican Senators will have a lot of influence on major legislation in Austin because Governor David Dewhurst has appointed them to chair important committees. Committee chairs can often decide which bills will advance to a vote on the Senate floor.
Republican Florence Shapiro of Plano will again chair education; Republican Chris Harris of Arlington will chair economic development; Republican Jane Nelson of Flower Mound, Health and Human Services: John Carona of Dallas, Transportation and Homeland Security. Democrat Royce West of Dallas will chair Intergovernmental Relations.
Fort Worth's new state senator, Wendy Davis, will sit on the education and transportation committees.