The Texas Legislature will tackle a number of critical challenges this session, most notably the over $20 billion shortfall that must be addressed in order to pass the 2012-2013 budget. While cuts are inevitable for every agency, I will fight to protect strategic state investments in critical areas such as education.  Earlier this month, I stood with students at a rally supporting our community colleges, and listened to funding proposals from the Texas A&M Chancellor's Student Advisory Board. 

In an effort to tighten our own belts, House members voted to reduce our office budgets by ten percent. Fiscal conservatism has been a standing practice in my own operation. During each of my terms in office, I have returned funds from my member office account to the state. 

On February 9th, Speaker Straus released committee assignments. He entrusted me - and honored our district - with several critical appointments that will help shape the future of Texas. They include:

• Chairman, Higher Education Committee:  Re-appointed to chair committee with jurisdiction over all matters relating to education beyond high school, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, as well as all colleges, universities, medical schools and teaching hospitals of the State of Texas  

• Calendars Committee: Members set the daily list of bills eligible for debate on the House Floor
• Redistricting Committee: Oversees the redrawing of U.S. Congressional and state Senate and House district lines
• Elections Committee: Jurisdiction over matters pertaining to the elections process, the Texas Ethics Commission, campaign finance and the Secretary of State's Elections Division
• Select Committee on State Sovereignty: Considers issues related to the powers and duties of federal and state governments, including states' rights reserved under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
• Legislative Budget Board: Re-appointed in December 2010 as one of 5 House members to the ten member committee that sets the state's spending limit each budget cycle and monitors state fiscal matters.

Regarding the appointments, Speaker Straus said, "I am pleased to re-appoint Rep. Branch as Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education, which plays a vital role in our colleges and universities and in preparing our students to meet the demands of the future.  I know that Dan will continue to serve our body well in this role, while also adding his experience and talent as a member House committees on Redistricting, Calendars, Elections, the Select Committee on State Sovereignty and on the Legislative Budget Board."

I am grateful for the outstanding appointments and am excited about the new challenges. Most committees will convene this week.    

Finally, I would like to share a few links with you in case you missed them in the media over the last month. I recently spoke with Austin's NBC affiliate, KXAN, about the challenges facing the Texas Legislature, and published three statewide opinion columns. The Dallas Morning News published my column along with their own editorial supporting my efforts to end one-punch voting in Texas.  The Austin American Statesman published a column on the importance of higher education, and my recent op-ed in the Houston Chronicle served as a reminder of the super-sized challenges, especially in education, facing Texas on Super Bowl Sunday.