Over the summer, I had the immense honor of being appointed to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. For the first time in 17 years, an El Paso senator has a seat at the table, ensuring that our region’s voice is heard in shaping how our state government serves you. This is a significant opportunity for El Paso and Far West Texas!
The Commission consists of 12 members: five senators and one public member appointed by the lieutenant governor, alongside five representatives and one public member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives. Legislative members serve four-year terms, while public members serve two-year terms.
The Sunset Commission exists to ensure that the state government isn’t wasting your hard- earned tax dollars. Since its establishment in 1977, it’s had a straightforward mission: to root out waste, redundancy, and inefficiency in state agencies. Every 12 years, state agencies are put under the microscope, and the commission decides whether they should continue as is, be reformed with commission recommendations, or be shut down entirely. This methodical and thorough process is designed to ensure that government works for you and aligns with the needs and priorities of families and communities across our great state.
This role carries tremendous responsibility and is essential for keeping your government transparent, accountable, and responsive to what really matters — serving the people.
Less than 4 months into this appointment, we’re already making a difference. So far, we’ve reviewed agencies such as the Texas Real Estate Commission, the Texas Ethics Commission, the Lottery Commission, the Department of Information Resources, and the Department of Criminal Justice. Next cycle, we’ll shift our focus to workforce development and health and human services agencies, ensuring essential programs like job training and healthcare services and programs meet the needs of Texas families. Being 500 miles from Austin shouldn’t mean El Paso and Far West Texas are left out of critical decisions. This appointment to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is a chance to ensure our unique needs and challenges are front and center in state government. I’m committed to making sure our communities aren’t just heard but prioritized when decisions are made in Austin. El Paso and Far West Texas are crucial to the state’s success, and this appointment allows me to ensure that our communities are not footnotes in these decisions, but central parts of the conversation.
For my term on this commission, I remain dedicated to advocating for policies and procedures that guarantee that — no matter where they live — taxpayers have access to a government that is efficient, transparent, and responsive — the way it should be.
I encourage everyone to stay engaged with Sunset reviews. If you’ve had experiences with these agencies, good or bad, or have ideas on how they can improve, now is the time to share your input. Our office is here to listen to and welcome your ideas on how these agencies can better serve you and our communities. Feel free to contact us at (915) 577-0029 or email us at district29.blanco@senate.texas.gov.
I look forward to protecting your hard-earned tax dollars and continuing to build a government that not only works, but works for everyone!