NewsRoom

Events and News of Interest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                CONTACT:
October 12, 2005                                                                                                                          Leslie Williams
                                                                                                                                                   (512) 463-0690

Rep. Vicki Truitt Appointed by House Speaker Craddick

to Vice Chair Sunset Advisory Commission 

(AUSTIN) – Late yesterday, Speaker Tom Craddick (R - Midland) announced his appointment of Rep. Vicki Truitt (R - Keller) as the Vice Chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission.

 "Vicki is a dedicated and hardworking legislator," Speaker Craddick said. "I am confident that she is the best person for this position." 

 Rep. Truitt has served on the Commission since October 2003, and will serve as Vice Chair until September 1, 2007. The chairmanship and vice-chairmanship alternate every two years between the Senate and the House.

 The Sunset Advisory Commission is a 12 member body of legislators and public members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. They are assisted by a staff whose reports provide an assessment of agency programs. The Commission then draws conclusions about the agencies under review based on the reports.

 The Sunset process works by setting a date on which an agency will be abolished unless legislation is passed to continue its functions. This creates an opportunity for the Legislature to study each agency closely and make fundamental changes to its mission or operations if necessary. Agencies are typically reviewed every 12 years and up to 30 state agencies can go through the Sunset process each legislative session. As vice-chairman, Rep. Truitt will lead House actions relating to the review of state agencies.

 Rep. Truitt said. "I am grateful that the Speaker has confidence in my abilities to name me to such an important position."

 Rep. Truitt is the Chairman of Budget and Oversight for the House Committee on Public Health, and sits on the Appropriations Committee.  She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities.  Aside from her work in the Texas House of Representatives, Rep. Truitt has worked in the health care field for more than 30 years. 

 Rep. Truitt’s House District 98 is comprised of northeast Tarrant County, including Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Westlake, and far north Fort Worth.