Chairman Honored by Capital Inside and Texas Tribune for Efforts to Balance Budget, Meet State Priorities
AUSTIN, TEXAS—State Representative Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) earned statewide recognition for his leadership as Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee during the 82nd Texas Legislature, receiving high marks from two of the state’s leading publications.
Named as one of the state’s “Ten Best Legislators” in a recent Texas Tribune poll, Chairman Pitts was praised by experts with intimate knowledge of the Capitol.
Capitol Inside, an Austin-based “go to source” for political news and legislative perspective, also named Chairman Pitts to their “Ten Best” list and recognized him as “Most Valuable Player” in the Texas House, lauding the Waxahachie lawmaker as “the king of high-wire juggling,” for his hand in crafting a balanced state budget in the face of declining revenues.
“To be recognized for my service to the people of Texas is truly an honor,” said Chairman Pitts. “It was a challenging Legislative Session, and I am grateful to the people of Texas and the voters in my district for entrusting me to lead during these difficult budgetary times.”
Chairman Pitts’ work and leadership contributed to a balanced budget that meets state funding priorities without raising taxes and with limited use of the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
He is credited with forging a compromise between Gov. Rick Perry and other state leaders on use of the state’s Rainy Day Fund to erase a current the current budget deficit, and for balancing the state’s most urgent funding needs against limited revenue.
Capitol Inside commended Chairman Pitts’ “predictable grace” and negotiating skills as key reasons why he deserved recognition as the top leader – MVP – in the Texas House.
“Crafting a state budget is an arduous process, one that required us to find greater efficiencies and more savings than many thought possible when we initially convened in Austin in January, but the end result – a balanced budget – is the right thing to do for our economy and for the people of Texas,” said Chairman Pitts.
