We take a look this week at how the newly formed House committees stack up by party ID and by gender. Compared to their overall representation, Democrats are significantly underrepresented on Corrections, International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs, Urban Affairs and Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, women make up about a fifth of the House. But on 20 committees, the proportion of women to men is lower than for the overall composition of the chamber. And no women serve on seven committees — County Affairs, Criminal Jurisprudence, Government Transparency and Operation, Insurance, Land and Resource Management, Natural Resources, and the House Select Committee on State and Federal Power.

Three House seats are currently vacant. We noted with an asterisk those committees for which an assignment has been given to a district where the representative has yet to be determined. Those seats will be determined in runoff elections to be held Feb. 17.

Enlarge Data source: Texas Legislative Reference Library

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Enlarge Data source: Texas Legislative Reference Library

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Enlarge Bob Daemmrich

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio (center) on the House floor on Feb. 8, 2011.

It's been noted on the Senate floor this session that the number of female senators is at an all-time high, with eight out of a body of 31. That will soon change with the departure of San Antonio Democrat Leticia Van de Putte on or about Feb. 17.

The charts below track the number of women in the House and Senate going back to the 1995 legislative session. Note that while the Senate is at an all-time high currently, the number of women in the House hit a peak high back in 2009, with 37 members. Here's another way, perhaps, to think about this: The Senate currently is 26 percent female, while the House in 2009 was 25 percent female.

By contrast, women make up slightly more than half the total population of the state, or 50.3 percent.

Enlarge Bob Daemmrich

The day before Greg Abbott was sworn in as governor, he met with his predecessor, Gov. Rick Perry, who marked the 1925 Pat Neff Bible on Jan. 19, 2015, and passed it on to Abbott.

Gov. Greg Abbott continues to lay out guideposts on what to expect from his administration — a heavy emphasis on job creation and economic development.

That’s not altogether different from the program of his predecessor, Rick Perry. But Abbott’s moves thus far show he’s taking a different approach.

The big news on Thursday was the announcement that Comptroller Glenn Hegar was allowing a big incentive program housed in his shop — the Major Events Trust Fund — to move into the governor’s office.

That must get approval from lawmakers, and it’s always dicey predicting what the will of the Legislature will turn out to be. But having Abbott and Hegar push jointly for this realignment sets the odds of success in their favor.

Also of interest is Abbott’s desire to house the Major Events Trust Fund, which has been used to lure Formula One racing to Texas, for example, in his division of economic development and tourism.

Last week, Abbott announced a reorganization effort in his office intended to amp up the economic development division. In the new org chart, the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Music Office, the Women’s Commission and the Workforce Investment Council all report directly to the director of economic development.

The move was made “so that each of the agencies is sharply focused on advancing the governor’s job-creation agenda,” as Abbott’s office put it in a press release last week.

Also last week, Abbott said he would seek the elimination of the Emerging Technology Fund, an incentive fund envisioned by Perry to encourage bringing the results of university research to market.

In its place, Abbott would create a University Research Initiative, which is more tailored to helping universities lure research talent to their campuses.

Add to that his letter last week to agencies telling them to implement improved procurement processes immediately, and an Abbott agenda is emerging.

Broadly speaking, these efforts taken together suggest a move toward leveraging more strongly the resources of the governor’s office to encourage job creation and, when need be, to implement reform. At the very least, it looks like a shift from Perry's stronger emphasis on putting incentive money in private hands to encourage the creation of jobs.

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Meanwhile, some Senate budget writers gave the impression this week that they are having second thoughts about the state funding cancer research through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The initiative had been plagued with problems over the selection of recipients for funding. Now that the problems have been largely ironed out, some senators said Tuesday at a meeting of Senate Finance that maybe they shouldn’t be in the cancer fighting business at all.

State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, told CPRIT head Wayne Roberts that his defense of CPRIT's work sounded more like that of a state agency trying to justify its budget rather than an innovative organization that's supposed to eventually be self-sustaining.

"Your introduction, I could have shut my eyes and it would have sounded just like the other agencies trying to justify empire building," Whitmire said. “It’s just another big state agency, and I would suggest MD Anderson and the other health science centers are already doing a fine job.”

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A historic streak came to an end this week with the decision to move John Smithee from the chair of the Insurance Committee to lead the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee.

The Amarillo Republican had led the Insurance panel in every Legislature since 1993, a Ripkenesque run as chairman. According to figures kept by the Legislative Reference Library, Smithee’s 11 terms as Insurance chairman is the longest tenure ever recorded.

On the House side, the next longest tenure by a committee chair was Houston Democrat Al Edwards, who helmed the Rules and Resolutions Committee eight times.

Smithee’s record, though, could be threatened by Whitmire, who counts 10 sessions as chairman of Criminal Justice. His streak continues as he was tapped to lead the panel this session.

Enlarge

With 2016 presidential hopefuls already off and running in key early battleground states, we started off this week’s survey of politics and government insiders with questions about how they think the Texas-connected candidates will fare.

Jeb Bush, son of one Texan president and brother of another Texan president, was identified by more than half the respondents as the one who'll do the best of those candidates boasting Lone Star State ties. Next was U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the pick of about a quarter of the respondents.

Rand Paul, son of longtime Texas Congressman Ron Paul, was named by 10 percent. Rick Perry was named by just 5 percent, a sign that he has yet to overcome insiders' skepticism about his ability to overcome his disastrous 2012 presidential campaign. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who was in Austin on Thursday on a book tour promoting Bubba values, was named by just 2 percent.

The insiders were evenly split at 44 percent each on whether one of these Texas-flavored candidates will break through and win the Republican nomination. On the next question, we expanded the inquiry, asking whether a Texan would make the ticket of either party in 2016. Only 37 percent said yes, while half said no.

And the insiders don't seem to think the current indictments against Perry will, by themselves, sink his presidential hopes. Two in five think his hopes to win the White House are already torpedoed; half don't think the indictments on their own will ruin his chances.

We collected comments along the way, and a full set of those is attached. Here’s a sampling: 

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Which of these 2016 presidential candidate with Texas ties finishes highest in next year’s GOP primary?

• “Not sure who will finish highest ‑ maybe the one in favor of decriminalization of marijuana? Joking aside, Jeb will have the resources to go deepest into the primaries.”

• “Like the past 2 Texas gubernatorial campaigns, NEW MEDIA rules. And the Cruz campaign has the best.”

• “None of the above. Scott Walker will clean their clocks.”

• “It will come down to Jeb and Ted. The GOP will then be locked in battle between the money types and the foot soldiers. Do they really want to nominate a squishy ‘conservative’ again? Or do they want the real thing?”

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Do you think a Texas-connected candidate will be the nominee?

• “Texas' job growth is a winning issue.”

• “Ted Cruz ... cause the GOP can't help itself ... it's the ‘double down of crazy’ cycle ... just watch.”

• “The top five finishers will probably include Paul, Bush and Cruz. Walker and Rubio are the other two who look strong now, but a longer shot could well emerge during the campaign.”

• “While WAY early, the smart money seems to be behind Jeb Bush . . . if he's indeed a ‘Texas-connected’ candidate. Unless completely neutered by the attacks from the right, he appears to have the upper hand.”

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Do you think a Texas-connected candidate will be the vice presidential pick of either party?

• “If one of these is selected as the Veep candidate, it won't be for the traditional reason of bringing a big state (or region) into the fold, instead it will be to appeal a certain segment of the national populace based on ideology and principle.”

• “Hell NO. It will not be Ted, it will not be Rick and Jeb does not have a chance in hell. The base has not love for him and the Bush family. Maybe George P but none of the others. Maybe Susana Martinez for VEEP is as close as Texas gets.”

• “Clinton/Castro is the ticket. Don't we already have bumper stickers?”

• “Jimmy Fallon is hoping for Rick Perry to replace Biden.”

Enlarge Emily Albracht

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Regardless of the ultimate outcome, does the timing of the Travis County case against Rick Perry ruin his presidential chances this cycle?

• “To an extent until a verdict is reached in this case, it only fuels a fire for Perry and for Perry supporters. There will be a race to spin the ‘overzealous’ prosecution as liberal posturing and meddling, all of which help Perry fundraise and draw attention from folks across the country.  If the trial proceeds and starts to turn, there is a chance it would be enough to force Perry out. For now it’s beneficial to a large degree.”

• “It doesn't ruin his chances currently, but it is a cloud that will spit at him.”

• “What chances? He had none to begin with. He's angling for a cabinet appointment.”

• “It is icing on the cake. 2 out of 3 got him.”

Our thanks to this week's participants: Gene Acuna, Cathie Adams, Brandon Aghamalian, Victor Alcorta, Clyde Alexander, George Allen, Jay Arnold, Charles Bailey, Dave Beckwith, Amy Beneski, Andrew Biar, Allen Blakemore, Tom Blanton, Chris Britton, David Cabrales, Lydia Camarillo, Snapper Carr, William Chapman, Elna Christopher, Harold Cook, Kevin Cooper, Randy Cubriel, Curtis Culwell, Denise Davis, June Deadrick, Nora Del Bosque, Tom Duffy, David Dunn, Richard Dyer, Jeff Eller, Jack Erskine, Jon Fisher, Stephanie Gibson, Scott Gilmore, Eric Glenn, Kinnan Golemon, Daniel Gonzalez, Jim Grace, Thomas Graham, John Greytok, Clint Hackney, Bill Hammond, John Heasley, Ken Hodges, Steve Holzheauser, Deborah Ingersoll, Cal Jillson, Jason Johnson, Robert Kepple, Richard Khouri, Tom Kleinworth, Sandy Kress, Dale Laine, Nick Lampson, Pete Laney, James LeBas, Luke Legate, Vilma Luna, Matt Mackowiak, Matt Matthews, Steve Minick, Bee Moorhead, Mike Moses, Keir Murray, Nelson Nease, Pat Nugent, Todd Olsen, Gardner Pate, Jerry Philips, Tom Phillips, Wayne Pierce, Richard Pineda, Allen Place, Kraege Polan, Gary Polland, Jay Propes, Ted Melina Raab, Karen Reagan, Tim Reeves, Patrick Reinhart, David Reynolds, Carl Richie, Kim Ross, Tyler Ruud, Jason Sabo, Andy Sansom, Jim Sartwelle, Barbara Schlief, Stan Schlueter, Bruce Scott, Robert Scott, Steve Scurlock, Ben Sebree, Christopher Shields, Ed Small, Martha Smiley, Larry Soward, Dennis Speight, Bob Strauser, Colin Strother, Sherry Sylvester, Trey Trainor, Corbin Van Arsdale, Ware Wendell, Ken Whalen, David White, Darren Whitehurst, Woody Widrow, Angelo Zottarelli

Enlarge Todd Wiseman

Friday, Feb. 6

• Health care luncheon hosted by the Texas Association of Business and United Healthcare; 207 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin (11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 7

• Town Hall Tour with state Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood; 815 E. Washington St., Rockwall; 2724 La Prada Drive, Mesquite; 805 Big Rock, Canton (9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• Wild Women Luncheon Series, featuring Patsy Woods Martin; 1400 Texas Star Parkway, Euless (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)
• Community rally and information session on Deferred Action for Parent Accountability (DAPA) program; 503 Reid Street, Houston (2 p.m.)

Monday, Feb. 9

• Early voting begins in runoff special elections for SD-26, HD-13, HD-17 and HD-123.
• The Macroeconomic Effects of School Choice Reform in Texas, featuring Arthur Laffer; 3150 Binkley Ave., Dallas (5:30-7:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, Feb. 11

• Special Screening of My All American; 713 Congress Avenue, Austin (6 p.m.)
• Fourteenth Court of Appeals Justice Ken Wise fundraiser; 2002 West Gray Street, Houston (5:30-7 p.m.)
  

Potential presidential candidate Rick Perry announced on Thursday that he has pulled together the backing of more than 80 major donors, heavily weighted toward Texans. Perry, who stepped down as governor last month, has also landed a seat on the corporate board of pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Comptroller Glenn Hegar said they would seek authorization from the Legislature to move the Major Events Trust Fund, an incentive program to lure high-profile sporting events to Texas, from the comptroller's office to the governor's division of economic development and tourism.

Abbott told business leaders Tuesday that he'd veto a budget that doesn't contain tax cuts for business.

John Otto and Dennis Bonnen, key lieutenants of House Speaker Joe Straus, were tapped this week to lead the Appropriations and Ways & Means Committees. The 19 members who voted against Straus for speaker — many of whom were freshmen or sophomores — mostly received assignments to lower-tier committees.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, unveiled a plan Wednesday to boost transportation funding by dedicating some of the sales tax already collected on car sales to road work. Nichols estimated the move would provide about $2 billion a year to transportation beginning in 2018. That figure is expected to grow to $3 billion over the next decade.

Michael K. Young, president of the University of Washington, was named the sole finalist to become the next president of Texas A&M University.

In an interview Thursday, University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven defended a law that provides in-state tuition for undocumented students, calling it the "morally right thing to do."

More than 38,000 Texas students — about 0.75 percent of the state's overall school-age population — had nonmedical exemptions to school immunization laws in the 2013-14 school year. Just 10 years prior, that figure was just under 3,000 — or 0.09 percent of the overall school-age population.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Gov. Greg Abbott named Bryan Daniel as director of economic development and tourism as part of a larger restructuring that has the Texas Film Commission, the Texas Music Office, the Women’s Commission and the Workforce Investment Council now report to Daniel. Abbott also named a new director for the Women's Commission, LaChristian Taylor, and the music office, Brendon Anthony.

Tonya Baer has been reappointed by Abbott to the Office of Public Utility Counsel for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2017. She was first appointed public counsel in October 2013.

Cynthia Meyer has been named deputy press secretary and spokeswoman for Attorney General Ken Paxton. She most recently was the press secretary for the 2015 inaugural committee and, before that, was on the communications team of Abbott's gubernatorial campaign.

Kirk Cole took over as interim commissioner of the Department of State Health Services this week as the state searches for a successor to David Lakey, who announced his resignation in early January. Cole had been serving as associate commissioner at DSHS.

Senate Republicans elected their leadership this week, selecting Kelly Hancock, R-N. Richland Hills, to serve as caucus chairman and Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, as vice chairman.

Crystal Perkins has been named the new executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. A San Antonio native, Perkins most recently was national financial director for Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer. She succeeds Will Hailer, who stepped down to take a job with BerlinRosen Public Affairs in Washington, D.C.

The Alamo has a new director. Rebecca Bridges Dinnin of San Antonio will take the post, a new senior-level position in the Texas General Land Office, on Feb. 17. She previously worked for more than seven years at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Caddo Associates announced it is adding Wayne Hamilton and Tiffiny Britton as senior directors. For Hamilton, it is a return to the firm. Most recently, he was the manager of Abbott's gubernatorial campaign. Britton previously was the assistant vice chancellor for government relations with the Texas A&M Engineering Program.

Disclosure: The Texas General Land Office was a corporate sponsor of the Tribune in 2011. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.