VanDeaver appointed to financial committees
AUSTIN — Texarkana’s state House representative, Gary VanDeaver, last week landed appointments on two key financial committees.
House Speaker Dade Phelan reappointed VanDeaver (R-New Boston) to the Appropriations Committee and appointed him to the Pensions, Investments and Financial Services Committee.
VanDeaver has served on the Appropriations Committee since his first term in 2015. The PIFS Committee has jurisdiction over the state’s banking system, including credit unions, savings and loan associations, bonded indebtedness, privacy and identity theft, and issues relating to the benefits of the state’s public retirement systems, including the Teacher Retirement System and the Employees Retirement System.
The Appropriations Committee has a “once-in-a lifetime opportunity to wisely use the state’s historic $33 billion budget surplus in a thoughtful, conservative way to make the lives of Texans not only better today, but also better tomorrow. Not only will we look at ways to lower Texans’ property tax burdens, but we’ll also look to see where these funds can address long-delayed infrastructure needs,” VanDeaver said in a news release.
He also spotlighted the two committees’ importance to delivering a cost of living adjustment for retired school employees.
“As a former superintendent and now as a legislator, I have heard many heart wrenching stories from retirees who have to choose between buying food or medicine; paying rent vs. paying insurance premiums. Hardworking Texans should not have to make such choices. I hope the legislature can make much-needed changes this session to help people,” he said.