This Week in Texas: Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Posted March 28, 2018 in The Mignon Memo

Senate committee switch up.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has made some changes to Texas Senate committees. Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) has been named Chair of the Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee, previously chaired by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls). Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) will also sit on the Senate Finance Committee, replacing Senator Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio).

New PUC Director

John Paul “JP” Urban has been named executive director of the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Urban previously served as director of government relations from 2011-2014. To read more…

In Otter News…

The Texas river otter population is doing well, and they are repopulating Texas waterways. Evidence of the return of these energetic and playful animals can even be seen in Houston’s urban Buffalo Bayou!  To read more…

Only in Austin…

Mayfield Park’s historic cottage and its two acres of cottage gardens are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A 21-acre natural area also surrounds the park and is home to plenty of wildlife. The park is also home to several showy peacocks. To read more…