Occupation: Partner - Rice Financial Products Company; Shareholder - The Tagos Group; Of Counsel - Reaud, Morgan, & Quinn
Education: Texas Southern University, B.A.; LBJ School of Public Affairs, M.P.A.; University of Texas Law School, J.D.
Legislative Experience: Senate Member, 1990 - Present
Hometown: Houston
Party: Democrat

Senator Rodney Ellis was elected to the Texas Senate in 1990. During his tenure, he has earned praise as a leader on economic development, education, civil rights, responsible environmental policy, tax cuts for the middle class, and criminal justice issues, having passed over 500 bills.

He is the proud founder of the Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP). Since TLIP's inception, it has become the largest legislative internship program in the state. Senator Ellis has raised over $2 million in funding for the program, giving over 500 young people the opportunity to make a difference in Texas politics and public policy. Three former TLIP participants are currently members of the Texas House of Representatives.

Senator Ellis is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Open Government, which investigates how to improve the transparency of state government. He is a member of the Senate State Affairs, Transportation, and Natural Resources committees. In past sessions, he chaired the Senate Finance, Jurisprudence, Intergovernmental Relations, and Government Organization committees.

Senator Ellis currently serves on the University of Texas School of Law Foundation Board, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Board of Directors, and the board of the Barbara Jordan Freedom Foundation. He also chairs the Board of Directors for the Innocence Project, Inc. of New York, and co-chairs the Commission to Engage African Americans on Energy, Climate, and the Environment.

Before his election to the Texas Senate, Senator Ellis served three terms as a member of the Houston City Council and as chief of staff to the late U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland. 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 also studied at Xavier University of New Orleans and the London School of Economics.

Rodney Ellis is married to Licia Green-Ellis and has four children.

Texas Legislative Internship Program.

Speeding Down a Dead End Street
The Looming Crisis in Texas Financial Aid

Press Room
[Press Archives: 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 ]

May 21, 2013
Ellis Plan to Review Tax Loopholes Passes Senate

May 21, 2013
House Passes Ellis DNA Reform Bill

May 20, 2013
Senator Ellis 2013 UT School of Law Commencement Speech

May 16, 2013
Michael Morton Act Now Law

May 13, 2013
House Passes Michael Morton Act

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Office Information

83rd Session Committee Membership

• Open Government — Chair
• Natural Resources
• State Affairs
• Transportation

District Analysis: District 13

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District Profile: Population, Households, Education, Employment, Income and Analysis Population Analysis Precinct and Districts Cities and Census Designated Places School Districts General Election Analysis