AUSTIN — Sen. Robert Duncan, a key player in the budget bill negotiations between the House and the Senate in the 2011 session, is back as a member of the joint legislative panel that recommends to the Texas Legislature how the taxpayers’ money should be allocated.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the presiding officer of the Texas Senate, on Thursday appointed Duncan and four other senators to the 10-member Budget Conference Committee. House Speaker Joe Straus is expected to announce his five appointments on Friday.