Rep. Raymond Reappointed Chair of Human Services Committee

AUSTIN – Texas House Speaker, Joe Straus, (San Antonio) reappointed Representative Richard Peña Raymond (Laredo) today as Chairman of the crucial Human Services Committee. Additionally, Speaker Straus reappointed Representative Raymond to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence and appointed him to the Rules and Resolutions Committee

The Human Services Committee handles matters regarding physical and mental health, aging, alcohol and drug abuse, and care of persons with disabilities. The Human Services Committee also hears matters related to protective, regulatory, and rehabilitative services provided by Child Protective Services.

Speaker Straus stated, “Chairman Raymond will play a critical role in ensuring that our Human Services programs are administered properly, efficiently, and to the benefit of Texans. He is a widely respected leader in the Texas House and I look forward to working with him on a number of critical priorities.”

“I’m privileged and honored to earn the trust from the Speaker of the House on taking the lead role in defending the health security of our children and putting people first by investing in worker-earned health services,” said Chairman Raymond.

The Human Services Committee works alongside the Texas Health and Human Services Commission which operates with an annual budget of $16 billion and 9,300 employees. Funding for services related to health and human issues represents 37.8% of the state’s budget, sharing a substantial amount of the state’s funding responsibility with education at 37.5%.

“To care about our fellow Texans is to care about their health and well-being,” Chairman Raymond said. “It is a commitment to doing what is right. This is our core principle, which fuels the values of Texas and our country. We Texans care about our fellow citizens, we work forward on that care responsibly and build trust so we can protect each other and do the best for our state and nation. That’s why we come together when our children’s security is threatened, we come together when fires or hurricanes harm the lives and homes of our family, friends and/or citizens we have never met. This is who we are, One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. For all, for every hard-working taxpayer not just the few who are powerful.”

The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence has oversight over all judicial courts, the Office of the Attorney General, and all civil court procedural matters. The Rules and Resolutions Committee oversees the rules of procedure of the House of Representatives, all proposed amendments, and the operation of the House as assigned by the Speaker.