TEXAS, USA — More West Texas voices will be heard in Austin.
On Friday, June 21, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick appointed Texas state senators Kevin Sparks of District 31 and Cesar Blanco of District 29 to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.
The commission helps evaluate state agencies and hold them accountable for what they do for Texans.
In the Texas Capitol, legislative decision-making will have some added West Texas spirit.
“The important thing to take away is that between Senator Sparks and myself they’ll have two senators and two voices for West Texas," Senator Blanco said.
The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission has been a part of the Texas legislative process for over 50 years, answering the question of if a state agency is working properly or not.
“If the answer is yes, then the Sunset recommends improvements to make the agency more efficient and effective," Senator Blanco said. "If the answer is no, then the Sunset recommends abolishing the agency or transferring its functions to another agency better suited to perform its duties.”
Senator Blanco said part of their evaluations in the next cycle will be health and human services and workforce development, two important state agencies considering the population growth and size of the Texas economy.
“Having a healthy and skilled workforce are issues that are very important to Texas. It’s part of our economic success," Senator Blanco said. "So it’s going to be extremely important to ensure that these agencies are working as intended so that Texas can continue to be the economic powerhouse that it is.”
An economic powerhouse aimed at taking care of Texans that drive it.
“This process also provides accountability to our taxpayers by improving government functions and eliminating waste and inefficiencies that some of these agencies may have," Senator Blanco said.
The process will now include more input far west of Interstate 35.
“When you look at West Texas -- we have unique communities, we’ve got challenges and we’ve got some different perspectives -- and often those can get overlooked in Austin," Senator Blanco said. "West Texas will be well represented and it’s going to have a strong say on improving government efficiencies and effectiveness.”