Athens —
State Representative Lance Gooden thinks his committee assignments for the 83rd Legislative Session will give Henderson County a voice on some important issues.
House Speaker Joe Straus made appointments to 38 standing committees and three select committees on Thursday. Gooden, whose 4th District includes all of Kaufman County and more than 80 percent of Henderson County, maintained spots on the House Administration and Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence committees and added Licensing and Administrative Procedures. Gooden will no longer have the spot on the Appropriations Committee which he held during his freshman term.
“I’m excited about Licensing because the gambling interests are already making a strong push to bring gambling to Texas and all of the gambling bills will go through that committee,” Gooden said. “I want to continue to stand up for family values and make sure that Henderson County has a seat on this committee when the legislature takes that up.”
Gooden said he was prepared to give up his seat on the Appropriations Committee, and with committee chairman and 10th District Representative Jim Pitts, serving the western part of Henderson County, he believes the county will have a strong voice on money matters during the session.
As a member of the Judiciary and Civil Justice Committee, Gooden will be concerned with the safety of public officials. The subject is fresh on his mind following the assassination of Assistant Kaufman County District Attorney Mark Hasse on Thursday.
“We’re going to be looking in that committee into ways to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Gooden said.
The House Administration Committee deals with the inner workings of the legislative body, Gooden said. “That committee, more than anything, allows me to have interaction with my colleagues who have issues with their house offices or how the house operates as a governmental body.”
Pitts said he is honored to continue as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Because of the amount of time devoted to appropriations issues, Pitts will not serve on any other standing committee.
Straus said he attempted to appoint the committees to best utilize the experienced leaders and newer members of the House who are ready to take on added responsibility.
“After traveling around the state to visit with members before the session and talking to them over the last few weeks, I am very encouraged that the House is ready to tackle the serious challenges our state faces,” Straus said.
Local News
Gooden gets his assignments
Appointment to licensing committee may make him key player in gambling debate
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Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
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A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
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Bullying just got tougher
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Magnificent 7
The Athens Odd Fellow Lodge No. 961 and Athens Rebekah Lodge No. 23 has seven students who are receiving a $500 scholarship to Trinity Valley Community College for this year.
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