House Public Education Committee

Some New Faces for the 88th Session

David D. Anderson, HillCo Partners

When Speaker Dade Phelan announced the House committees on February 9, public education advocates recognized six members as returning veterans: Vice Chair Dr. Alma Allen (D/Houston), Ken King (R/Canadian), Steve Allison (R/San Antonio), Dr. Brad Buckley (R/Killeen), James Talarico (D/Austin), and Harold Dutton (D/ Houston). The committee will be chaired by Dr. Buckley with Dr. Allen serving as vice chair.

The Public Education Committee will hear several hundred bills during the session. As public schools are the center of communities large and small across Texas, understanding how a bill will affect their community helps the members understand the implications of their votes on a more localized level.

For TASPA members, an understanding of the committee members’ community ties may provide the personal links and connections that help establish relationships and trust.

New committee members are Charles Cunningham (R/Humble), Cody Harris (R/Palestine), Brian Harrison (R/Midlothian), Cole Hefner (R/Mt. Pleasant), Gina Hinojosa (D/Austin), Oscar Longoria (D/Mission), and Matt Schaefer (R/Tyler). Reps. Cunningham and Harrison are the newest House members on the committee, both of whom are serving their first full terms in the legislature.

Many of the members share several characteristics, including deep community roots. A majority of the members grew up in their districts and have the long-standing ties that often reflect a firm grasp of local concerns, sustained volunteerism and the community connections that reflect a commitment to the district that translates well in Austin. Five of the members served on elected school boards at the local level prior to their election to the Texas House: Ken King (Canadian ISD), Steve Allison (Alamo Heights ISD), Gina Hinojosa (Austin ISD), Charles Cunningham (Humble ISD), and Chairman Brad Buckley (Killeen ISD).

Chairman Brad Buckley was on the Killeen ISD Board for several terms. His family’s roots in Killeen and Bell County go back several generations. Leo Buckley Stadium in KISD was named to honor his grandfather, a longtime coach and athletic director in Killeen. Brad and his dad were both KHS Kangaroo quarterbacks in their days. Brad grew up in Bell County and has operated his veterinary practice there for over a quarter century.

Vice Chair Alma Allen grew up in Houston, completed her three degrees there, and had a distinguished career in education as a teacher, campus administrator, and district administrator in HISD. She represented Houston on the State Board of Education for over a decade before she was elected to represent HD 131. Her roots in the Houston community are deep and the next three generations of her family have broadened her influence across the community. Longtime House veteran Harold Dutton represents House District 142 in Houston. Dutton, chair of the Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee this session, grew up in Houston, attended Houston public schools, earned his BBA at Texas Southern University, and completed his law degree at TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Chairman Dutton ranks third in seniority in the Texas House, behind only House Deans Tom Craddick of Midland and Senfronia Thompson, also from Houston.

Ken King’s roots in HD 88 are deep as well. A graduate of Canadian HS, Ken was a CISD school board member and president before his election to the House. His wife grew up in nearby Miami and graduated from Miami HS. Ken’s Black Gold Pump and Supply company is headquartered in Canadian.

Steve Allison served on the Alamo Heights ISD Board of Trustees and on the Board of Trustees of VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority. San Antonio is better for all that Steve has done in his community, as an attorney and as a volunteer.

James Talarico grew up in the greater Austin area and graduated from McNeil HS in Round Rock ISD. He stayed in the central Texas for his undergrad work at UT Austin, then left to complete his master’s in education policy at Harvard University. After teaching middle school in San Antonio, he returned to Central Texas where he now represents HD 50.

Charles Cunningham was elected in 2007 to serve on the Humble ISD Board of Trustees, where he served for a total of 12 years. In 2019, Charles was appointed to the Humble City Council to fill in a vacancy and was subsequently elected in 2021, where he served until 2022 when he successfully ran for the open House seat formerly held by Dan Huberty who did not seek re-election. A resident of Humble and House District 127 for over 3 decades, Charles has been active in several community organizations and events, including the Gulf Coast Area Association of School Boards, the Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce, and the Boys Scout of America.

Cody Harris has deep roots in HD 8. His ancestors settled in Freestone County after the Civil War and his great-grandfather was the last operator of the Wildcat Ferry on the Trinity River between Anderson and Freestone counties. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Cody owns and operates Liberty Land & Ranch in Palestine, a statewide real estate brokerage firm. His community engagement includes work with the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce, the Palestine YMCA and the Palestine ISD Business Mentor Program.

Brian Harrison represents HD 10, comprised of Ellis and parts of Henderson Counties. A native Texan and graduate of Ovilla Christian School and Texas A&M (Class of 2004), Brian and his family have long been involved in Ellis County. Brian was sworn-in to the Texas Legislature in October 2021, during the interim of the 87th Session.

A native East Texan, Cole Hefner lives in Mount Pleasant. Prior to his House election in 2016, Cole served as county commissioner for Upshur County. He is active in his community, where he is a member of the Lindale Chamber of Commerce, the Hide-AWay Lake Kiwanis Club, and an active member at South Jefferson Baptist Church. Cole spent 16 years in the construction industry, where he owned his own business, and eventually took over the management of his family’s commercial construction company.

Currently, he is a small business owner in the insurance industry.

First elected to the Texas House in 2016, Gina Hinojosa represents a district in the heart of Austin and the Central corridor of the Texas capital city. Her first policy love is public education and she demonstrated policy insights on many occasions, particularly with legislative oversight of TEA’s treatment of students receiving special education. Prior to becoming a House member, Rep. Hinojosa was elected to an at-large position on the Austin ISD School Board in November 2012. She was elected Board President in 2015. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Gina is a native Texan and a proud product of public schools. She graduated from UT Austin with Honors with a Plan II Government Bachelor of Arts degree. She received her law degree from George Washington Law School in 1999 and was licensed that same year. She has called Austin home ever since.

Oscar Longoria was born in Mission and raised in South Texas and now represents his hometown. He is a product of the La Joya ISD and attended South Texas College for one year before transferring to UT Austin. He graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in

Communication Studies. In 2007, Representative Longoria graduated with his JD from the University of Texas School of Law. In 2017, Longoria was the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award.

Matt Schaefer has broad experience in the private sector and in public service. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2021. In 2010 he served in Afghanistan near the Iranian border with a provincial reconstruction team. In the private sector, he is self-employed working in real estate and law. He was first elected to the Texas House in 2012. Matt is a sixth generation Texan. Matt has degrees in finance and law from Texas Tech University.

On Tuesday, February 21, the 88th Session will begin its seventh week. With thirty percent of the 140-day session in the rear view mirror, the members work will increase in a significant way. Bills will be assigned to committees and the committee hearings will begin. The House Public Education Committee will hold its regular meetings on Tuesdays. For specific information about committee meetings use https:// capitol.texas.gov/Committees/MeetingsHouse.aspx

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