AUSTIN- State Representative Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) has been named Chairman to the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency and Accountability. Today, Speaker Joe Straus created the committee putting Gallego and ten other legislators in charge of making recommendations for eliminating inefficiencies in state government. They will also look into the purchasing practices for state goods and services and the efficient spending of limited tax dollars. 

"The creation of this committee is vital to our state as our country has been facing difficult financial times" Gallego said. "This committee gives me a great opportunity to evaluate our state funds at a level I'm familiar with after serving years on the House Appropriations Committee".

Chairman Gallego hopes to make the best of his time with the Select Committee which will operate from now until the 82nd Session starts in January 2011. "We have a difficult task ahead of us," Gallego said, "because we will be operating on a much tighter budget next time we convene. This committee will allow us to weigh our options and evaluate best state practices on how to spend our money wisely".

Gallego will be serving on the committee with Representative John Davis (R-Houston) as vice chair and Representatives Alma Allen (D-Houston), Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio), Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin), Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills), Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington), Rob Orr (R-Burleson), Diane Patrick (R-Arlington), Chente Quintanilla (D-Tornillo) and Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton).