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Editor’s Note: Please be sure to send us news of departures, promotions, births, marriages and other milestones, so we can share it with the Capitol community. Also add us to your press release email list.
Around the Capitol / On the Move
Graham Senor is the new communications director for Rep. Erin Zwiener. He comes from Arkansas, where he held the same position for the state Democratic Party and worked on a congressional race. (h/t The Blast)
Sen. Beverly Powell and Rep. Dan Huberty recently were announced as co-chairs for the Texas Legislative Fine Arts Education Caucus. The caucus serves as a distribution hub for legislators to stay updated on developments impacting fine arts education in Texas public schools.
Former Rep. Cindy Burkett has started a new position as a registered representative at Lone Star Wealth Advisors
Former Rep. Ron Simmons has been named presiding officer of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors by Gov. Greg Abbott. (h/t The Quorum Report)
Former Sen. Konni Burton has launched a new statewide news outlet called The Texan. It will cover the Texas legislature, the Texas congressional delegation in DC and statewide elections. (h/t the Blast)
Lobby/Association News
The Mach 1 Group, an Austin-based public affairs and strategic communications firm has welcomed two new team members. Senior Strategist, Kim Cooper, and Digital Practice Lead, Jimmy Orr. (h/t The Quorum Report)
Michael Blair has started a new position as Director of Governmental Affairs at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. He previously worked for a Dallas City Council member as a senior policy advisor and worked in the House for several members..
Leander ISD Superintendent Dan Troxell will be leaving that position to become the deputy executive director for the Texas Association of School Boards,
Kathy Hutto, longtime lobbyist with Jackson Walker is retiring from the lobby world as of the end of May.
Lee Godown has joined the Jeff Eller Group, an Austin-based public affairs firm. Godown recently oversaw government relations for General Motor’s four international regions.
(h/t The Blast)
State Agency News
Charlie Leal, previously a TransportationProgram Analyst at TxDOT has been promoted to Director of Commission Support Office at TxDOT. Before moving to TxDOT he worked as the Transportation Policy Analyst for Gov. Greg Abbott.
William Lutz has a new title of of last November as an Economist for the Texas Workforce Commission where he previously worked as a program specialist. Lutz spent almost 8 years as the Managing Editor of the Lone Star Report.
Shout Outs
Congratulations to Ben Melson and his wife, Malorie, on the impending arrival of son number two in early fall.
Happy Birthday!
May 6: Sabrina Midkiff, Grover Campbell, Rich Parsons
May 7: Sandy Hentges Guzman
May 8: Beck Bruun
May 9: Jennifer Sims, David Courreges
May 10: Corbin Casteel, Cristy Cates
May 11: Rep. John Kuempel,
May 12: Eileen Smith, Lucy Nashed, Carrie Rogers Prysock
May 13: Malika Te, Eric Opiela
May 15: Rep. Mary Perez
May 16: Fmr. Sen. Wendy Davis
May 17: Hunter Hughes, Jeff Norwood, Rep. Cecil Bell, Rep. James Talarico
May 18: Gavin Massingill, Worth Farabee, Rep. Sarah Davis, Rep. Vikki Goodwin
May 19: Bill Oswald, Lindsey Howe Parham
May 22: Rep. Tan Parker
May 23: Jennifer Deegan, Rep. J.M. Lozano
May 24: Brad Westmoreland
May 26: Randy Chapman
May 28: Emily Ramshaw Hartstein, Melinda Little, Court Koenning
May 29: Will McAdams, Hope Osborn, Sen. Charles Schwertner
May 30: Rep. Hubert Vo
In Our Thoughts
Former State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon passed away recently at the age 74. McClendon represented the San Antonio area in the House from 1997 through 2015. Before serving in the Legislature, she was a member of the San Antonio City Council.
Condolences to the family and friends of longtime Capitol staffer Detta Haffelder and her family on the passing of their daughter, Lisa.
Condolences to Kelly McBeth and her family on the passing of her mother-in-law Edith Smith
Condolences to family and friends of Michelle Apodaca on the passing of her brother Trae Apodaca last month.
Condolences to Melinda Little and her family on the death of her son David’s fiancee this past week.
Condolences to the friends and family of Tim Kennel, a longtime lobbyist, who passed away last month. Throughout his career Kennel worked for Lone Star Gas, Texas Utilities, and Atmos Energy, serving in many roles including Director of Government Relations, Vice President, & CEO
Miscellaneous
The Texas Tribune’s Jay Root will screen his new film, Border Hustle, on May 7th at Studio 919 at the Texas Tribune.
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The Texas Tribune: The top places Texas lawmakers go to wine, dine and deal during legislative session
House members office and phone list
Senate members office and phone list
House Chief of Staff List
Senate Chief of Staff List
House Committees
Senate Committees
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Dates of Interest:
Monday May 27 — last day of regular session
June 16 — last day for governor to act on bills
Contact us at txpoliticstoday@gmail.com or text us at 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.
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