Chairman Branch met with leaders of many independent colleges and universities in Texas for a breakfast in Austin to discuss their unique issues and challenges.

Rep. Dan Branch 
Special to the Education U Edition

As the old saying goes, "everything is bigger in Texas." Our recently released census numbers, as well as our state's education challenges, are no exception.

According to 2010 census figures, at 25.2 million Texans, our state is now home to 8% of all Americans and we are now educating 10% of all public school students nationwide. Demographers agree that new jobs and population growth go hand in hand, which may explain why almost half of the 4.2 million new Texans added this decade moved here from other states.

To date, Texans have weathered the recent recession much better than most. We added more jobs than any other state during the last decade, more Fortune 1000 companies now call Texas home than any other, and we were the nation's leading exporter for the 8th consecutive year in 2010. Texans must not take this positive momentum for granted.

Rep. Dan Branch 
Special to the Education U Edition

As the old saying goes, "everything is bigger in Texas." Our recently released census numbers, as well as our state's education challenges, are no exception.

According to 2010 census figures, at 25.2 million Texans, our state is now home to 8% of all Americans and we are now educating 10% of all public school students nationwide. Demographers agree that new jobs and population growth go hand in hand, which may explain why almost half of the 4.2 million new Texans added this decade moved here from other states.

To date, Texans have weathered the recent recession much better than most. We added more jobs than any other state during the last decade, more Fortune 1000 companies now call Texas home than any other, and we were the nation's leading exporter for the 8th consecutive year in 2010. Texans must not take this positive momentum for granted.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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BRANCH, DAVIS TO CO-CHAIR DALLAS AREA LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION

Rep. Dan Branch (R- Dallas) and Rep. Yvonne Davis (D- Dallas) Elected by Peers to Lead Multi-County Delegation

AUSTIN, Texas—Texas House members from north Texas elected Rep. Yvonne Davis (D- Dallas) and Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas) to Co-Chair the Dallas Area Legislative Delegation (DALD), at the delegation's first meeting of the 82nd Session. Davis replaces Rep. Roberto Alonzo (D-Dallas), who chose to step down after serving as Democrat Co-Chair during the 80th and 81st legislative sessions; Branch is returning for his second term as Republican Co-Chair of the delegation.

The 28 member House delegation meets regularly to discuss major issues facing the Texas Legislature. In the coming weeks, DALD members will meet to hear from representatives from key area institutions and finalize strategies. The delegation has planned meetings with the Tarrant County Delegation to advocate for Metroplex interests. The DALD consists of 22 Republicans and 6 Democrats.

"I thank my colleagues for their vote of confidence, as well as the opportunity to serve our region," Rep. Branch said. "The legislature is facing substantial budget and infrastructure challenges this session," Branch continued, "and it will be critical that north Texas members take a coordinated approach to serve the 4th largest metro area in the nation. I look forward to working with Chairman Davis, as well as our Senate and Tarrant County counterparts to find creative solutions and advance our region's interests."

Rep. Davis said, "I look forward to working in partnership with Rep. Branch, as well as, all 27 members from the DFW and North Texas area. While we represent diverse regions, it is critical that we take a regional and bipartisan approach in addressing the various issues important to our collective constituents. Faced with the enormous budget shortfall, we must work together to minimize cuts in education, transportation, and health care. In addition, we must continue to encourage economic development and job growth in North Texas. By working together, I am confident that we can improve the quality of life for all Texans."

Rep. Davis was first elected to represent district 111 in 1992, which encompasses part of the Southwest Dallas region, including the city of Duncanville and part of the city of DeSoto. She currently serves as the chair of the House Urban Affairs Committee and as a member of the Transportation Committee.

Rep. Branch is in his fifth term representing House District 108, which includes Downtown, Uptown, Near East and North Dallas, including the Town of Highland Park and the City of University Park. In addition to serving as Delegation Co-Chair, Branch serves as Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education, and is a member the Legislative Budget Board and the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee.

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January 27, 2011

Patricia Kilday

Blog

State Rep. Aaron Peña of Edinburg, who recently changed the D after his name to an R, is forming a legislative Hispanic Republican Conference, which he hopes will “inject a dose of realism” into some of the session’s most divisive issues.

Before everyone jumps to the comments section to be the first to make the joke about meeting in a telephone booth, let me explain the membership of the new group:  it includes the six Republican members of Hispanic descent  (Peña, Jose Aliseda of Beeville, Dee Margo of El Paso, Larry Gonzales of Round Rock and Raul Torres of Corpus Christi).

Rep. Branch spoke to members and friends of the Texas Association of Business for their distinguished breakfast speaker series in Austin.   Also sponsoring the event was the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.

January 27, 2011

Gromer Jeffers, Jr.