Representative Giovanni Capriglione Named House Appropriations Chair
Speaker Dennis Bonnen appointed Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) Chair of the House Appropriations Committee on Friday. Rep. Capriglione succeeds Rep. John Zerwas in the role, who resigned last fall to join The University of Texas System as Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs. Rep. Capriglione has been a member of the powerful committee for the last three sessions, and served as a subcommittee chair the last two sessions — first on the Subcommittee on State Infrastructure, Resiliency, and Investment, and then on the Subcommittee on Budget Transparency and Reform. He was first elected to the Texas House in 2012.
Texans Involved in Senate Impeachment Trial
Three Texans have been given prominent roles in the Senate impeachment trial, which began Tuesday. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Texas Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston) one of the seven House managers for the trial because of her judicial background. Former Baylor University President Ken Starr, who investigated President Bill Clinton prior to his impeachment, has joined President Donald Trump’s legal defense team. Additionally, Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe (R-Heath) will serve as one of several U.S. House members on President Donald Trump’s impeachment team, which will serve advisory and television advocacy roles during the trial.
Only in (or a little south of) Austin…
Texas Tulips, a new cut-your-own flower field blooming near San Antonio, will open its fields to the Instagramming public this Thursday, January 23rd. Originally scheduled to open in February, the date was moved up due to early blooming flowers. Texas Tulips’ second location (the first is near Dallas) is located in La Vernia, about 30 miles west of downtown San Antonio. Plan to visit soon, as the lifespan of these gorgeous flowers is short — the fields will be open seven days a week from 9 AM to 8 PM through mid-March. Be sure to schedule that pretty pink pedicure for your tiptoe through the tulips!