From the Texas Tribune: Higher Ed Chair Seliger Tackles New Post With Open Mind

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/higher-ed-chair-seliger-hopes-be-quick-study/

Higher Ed Chair Seliger Tackles New Post With Open Mind

• by Reeve Hamilton
• October 19, 2012

Since it was created in 2009, the Senate Higher Education Committee has been led by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. But this month, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst replaced the chairwoman with state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, who got the post, according to a statement from Dewhurst's office, because of “his ability to work well with all members.”

Beyond his eight years as a senator in a district that has six community colleges and two universities, Seliger’s background in higher education policy is thin, particularly when compared with that of his predecessor. Still, with major higher education issues on the table for the 2013 legislative session, including potential changes to how the state finances institutions, some observers say they have faith in his ability to learn on the job.

“I think he’ll be a quick study,” said state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, the chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. “I’m sure we’ll have some differences. I had differences with the previous chair, and we always found a way to work together.”