Austin -- State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) was appointed Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee by acting Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff. The Finance Committee is the most powerful committee of the Senate and is responsible for crafting the Texas state budget.

"I am deeply honored to be selected as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee," said Senator Ellis. "The Senate Finance Committee is responsible for crafting a budget which puts into action our priorities and principles. But deep down, the budget is really about improving the day-to-day lives of Texas families."

The Chair of the Senate Finance Committee is considered to be one of the most influential posts in Texas government. As chair, Senator Ellis is charged with directing state spending on education, health care, highways, public safety and more. He will be responsible for setting priorities on Texas' almost-$100 billion budget.

"I am honored by the confidence Lieutenant Governor Ratliff has placed in me. Texas faces many challenges in the 21st Century and I look forward to working with Lieutenant Governor Ratliff, House Appropriations Chairman Rob Junell and my colleagues in the Senate to strengthen Texas' foundation for the future."

The Finance Committee Chairmanship is the latest in a string of successes for Senator Ellis. As President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate, Senator Ellis accomplished another first for African Americans the previous week. Ellis presided over the special meeting of the Texas Senate to elect a new Acting Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate.

The historic session was required to fill the vacancy that occurred after President-elect George W. Bush resigned as Governor and Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry was sworn in as the 47th Governor of Texas. A provision of the Texas Constitution requires the President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate to convene a meeting within 30 days to elect a new Acting Lieutenant Governor.

With Perry's swearing-in as Governor, Ellis became Acting Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate during the interim period following Perry's resignation and the selection of Senator Ratliff to serve as Acting Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate. This made Ellis the highest-ranking African American in Texas history.

In addition, as President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Ellis has served as Acting Governor for 50 days during his tenure. This is more than any previous President Pro Tempore in history. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate serves as Acting Governor when the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are out of the state.

"Serving during this historic period has indeed been an honor," said Senator Ellis. "It has afforded me the opportunity to work side by side with state leaders and leaders in our community to make Texas a better place for our families. Now we have the responsibility to continue to make the right choices that will benefit all Texans for years to come."

• Elected to the Texas Senate in 1990.
• Appointed to Senate Finance Committee during the 73rd Legislative Session in 1993. Served one session as member of the committee.
• Served on Budget Conference Committee in 1993. (73rd Legislative Session)
• Selected as Chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee in 1995. Served as chair for the 74th Legislative Session.
• Selected as Chair of the Jurisprudence Committee in 1997. Served as chair for the 75th and 76th Legislative Sessions.
• Selected as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate on May 31, 1999.
• Served as Acting Governor for 50 days.
• Served as Acting Lieutenant Governor and presided over the first transition of power in the Texas Senate in over a century.
• Passed legislation providing $506 million in consumer and business tax relief, the largest consumer and business tax cut in Texas history. The legislation created the 3-day sales tax holiday and exempted over-the-counter medicines from taxation. (SB 441)
• Authored the TEXAS Grant program in 1999, providing an additional $100 million in college grants. (HB 713)
• Passed groundbreaking legislation requiring private non-profit hospitals to provide health care to uninsured patients. (1993)
• Leading the effort to reform Texas' criminal justice system, including allowing post conviction DNA testing, banning the execution of the mentally retarded and providing juries with the a life without parole sentencing option.
• Passed legislation to streamline government by abolishing the Office of State Treasurer. (1995)
• Passed legislation requiring local governments to report hate crimes. (1993)
• Passed legislation requiring a disparity study to help increase the number of state contracts awarded to minority and women-owned businesses. (1995)
• Passed legislation to expand access to nutritional services for children in low-income families. (1993)
• Ellis is an attorney and successful businessman. He co-founded Apex Securities, Inc., an investment banking firm that is affiliated with Rice Financial Products Company, a nationally recognized municipal interest rate swap firm. He is also of counsel with the McGlinchey Stafford law firm, focusing on corporate and environmental law, government relations and international transactions.
• Before his election to the Texas Senate, Ellis served as Chief of Staff to the late U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland. Ellis served three terms as a member of the Houston City Council. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University, a master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
• Ellis serves on the U.S. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board, the Council on Foreign Relations, the University of Texas Law School Foundation Board, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Board, and the Board of Directors for the Center for Policy Alternatives.
• Ellis is married to Licia Green Ellis and has three children.

###