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If you missed a previous newsletter or want to go back and refresh your memory about someone go to our Texas Politics Today  website  where we have the newsletter archived by date.  
The best moment from the confirmation hearings from a former Texas Capitol inhabitant 
Some of our colleagues enjoying the inaugural activities/ nomination hearings in DC this week: Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, S en. Bryan Hughes, Rep. Dwayne Bohac, F ormer Rep. Stefani Carter, lobbyist Dan Shelley, Consultant Rob Johnson, Sen. Kolkhorst staffer Matthew Russell, lobbyist Dale Laine, Gaylord Hughey, Pollster Chris Wilson
Around the Capitol
 

Hunter Bryan Thompson, former House Appropriations Director and  Education Analyst, is now part of the Government Relations team at the  Texas Education Agency.

Vanessa Cortez is the new Committee Director for the Senate Administration Committee.  She worked for ROSS Communications as well as several Republican campaigns previously. 

Ross Leake, formerly Communications Director for Senator Troy Fraser, is the new Legislative Director for Rep. Ron Simmons.

Chris Cutrone has moved from the Office of Inspector General's office at HHSC to do communications for the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas.

Julian Whitley is the District Director for Rep. Justin Holland.  She previously worked for Rep. Kacal.   Chelsey McGee will be Rep. Holland's Legislative Director.  She was with Rep. Issacs previously. Georgeanne Palmer will be Rep. Holland's Legislative Aide, coming from  Murphy Nasica & Associates.

Pete Winckler previously with former Sen.  Eltife is now working for Sen. Estes as his Legislative Director.  

Josh Amador has moved from the House Committee Coordinator's Office to become Legislative Director for Rep. Shawn Thierry.

Seana Willing is the new executive director for the Texas Ethics Commission, replacing Ian M. Steusloff, who has served as interim executive director since Natalia Luna Ashley retired last month. Willing was previously the executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC).

Steve Bruno has left the his government affairs practice to clerk for the House Ways and Means Committee. 

Alexander Hammond has returned to the Capitol as COS to Rep. Carol Alvarado.  He had previously served as her Legislative Director before going out on his own.  

Rep. Craig Goldman's office has several new staffers -- Kyle Harlan, Legislative Director, Julia Hamilton, who will handle administrative matters and scheduling and Antonio Mireles, Legislative Aide. 

Rep. Jason Villalba's new staffers for this session include -- Ben Utley, Legislative Director, McKenna Skeeters, Legislative Assistant, Farish Mozley, Communications Director and Beau Walker, Legislative Intern. 

The Texas Senate Republican Caucus today announced the hiring of Rachel Dawson White for the position of Executive Director. Rachel is the former COS for Heidi Cruz from Senator Ted Cruz's presidential campaign. 

Rep. Tan Parker was re-elected by his Republican colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Texas House Republican Caucus. 

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On the Lobby/Government Relations Front 


Texas Cable Association has hired Velma Cruz as Vice President and General Counsel. Cruz is an experienced telecommunications public policy lawyer.
Hope Osborn has moved from Sen. Huffman's office to do government affairs for the Texas  Retired Teachers Association.

David Edmondson left former Sen. Ellis' staff and is ED for the Austin Tech Alliance.  As an aside, the Alliance has created an app for voter engagement for those in the the industry.   

Chuck Mains, who worked for former Sen. Eltife, has gone to work for SKLaw, and will have his own clients as well.  

Events
For  interns and for those who have interns , the Texas Politics Project and the New Politics Forum are hosting an intern  seminar on Sat., Jan 21 at UT from 10:00 to 3:30.  Here is the link for registration .

The Annette Strauss Institute's  fourth annual Great Conversations Dinner to celebrate "The Lore and the Legacy of the Texas Legislature" will be on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.

Public Citizen is honoring Tom Smith AKA "Smitty" at a Gala on Wed. Feb. 1 from 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. at Barr Mansion.
Click here for more details.

There will be a Roast and Toast of State Representative René Oliveira at 7 PM on March 6th at the JW Marriott Hotel here in Austin. Register here. All contributions will benefit the Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP), created by  Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
Shout Outs

Ashley and Seth Juergens, COSs  for Rep. Villalba and Rep. Lambert, respectively, are expecting their first child in July.

Terri Broussard Williams  has been  named a member of the  2017 Girl Scouts of Central Texas Women of Distinction  class.  As the Vice President of Government Relations for the American Heart Association-SouthWest Affiliate, Broussard Williams and four other women will receive  the honor at a luncheon to be held on  April 27th .

Robert A. Paulsen III,  COS to Rep. Justin Holland recently passed the State Bar of Texas Exam.

Upcoming January birthdays: Kyle Ward, ED Tx PTA --21st, former Rep. Diana Maldonado -- 22nd, Bill Peacock, TPPF -- 23rd, Araminta Sellers -- 23rd, Harvey Kronberg, Quorum Report -- 25th, Brittany Eck, GLO -- 28th, Rep. Larry Gonzales -- 29th, Rene Lara -- 29th, ML Calcote -- 30th, Michelle Sneed, Anita Perry's COS -- 30th

Correction:  Mitzi Stoute, Rep. Paul's COS, and Vince Faniola were married in October, not December as previously reported. 
Miscellaneous

Senate Committee Assignments have been released. View them here.


The new faces of the Legislature
Public Blueprint offers a handy guid e for new membership


From the Announcement:  

"David White of Public Blueprint points out that "As each new legislative session begins, there are always some new faces around the Pink Dome. In an effort to help political and legislative professionals as well as any other interested Capitol followers learn a bit more about all the new members, we've created this New Member Booklet as a resource that contains some high-level biographical information and other quick facts about each new representative and senator."

Look for Rene Lara's Texas Capitol Tips coming soon


From the Announcement:

"Texas Capitol Tips provides advice on everything related to the capitol building. The book uses humor to guide you from the beginning to the end of the session. It explains what you need to know about the characters who work there and explains how to navigate the legislative process Copies will be available soon."


The Must Have Apps for the Session:


Texas Candidates Member App

From the Announcement:

"The Texas Candidates Member App is now updated with the complete list of members for the 85th Texas Legislative session, including new office assignments, phone numbers and emails. We will continue to add staff contacts as that information becomes available. Additionally, 85th Legislative Committees and appointments will be added to the app as those appointments become public."
 

Blakemore Public Affairs has created a Texas Officials Flash Card app for those of us who need to actually recognize our public officials.

From the announcement:

"Are you ready for the 85th Session?  Can you correctly identify 199 State Officials, including 27 who did not serve during the previous Legislative Session?  Download the Texas Elected Officials Flash Card App, test your knowledge and be confident that you will recognize these state leaders.  This app is free for download for your Apple or Android smartphone."




Important legislative dates:

  60-day bill filing deadline:  Mar 10, 2017
 
Adjournment sine die:  May 29, 2017
 
Post-session 20-day deadline for governor to sign or veto:  June 18, 2017
 
Effective date (91st day after adjournment):  Aug 28, 2017
__________

House and Senate Offices (with Senate COSs):

Here are the House and Senate Office Numbers for the 85th Legislature

Contact us at txpoliticstoday@gmail.com or text me a 512-431-5385 to let us know of other moves, birthdays, lobby sign ups, birth announcements, events, and happenings that you and your Capitol colleagues would like to read about.