Texas Governor Reappoints Bivens and Tanner to Charitable Campaign Committee

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has tapped Daniel Bivens and Vanessa Cortez Tanner for another term on the State Employee Charitable Campaign Policy Committee. The duo, both Austin residents, will serve until September 1, 2026, pending Senate confirmation. Their reappointment shines a light on a program that’s become a lifeline for charities across the state, channeling millions from public workers into community causes.

The State Employee Charitable Campaign, or SECC, isn’t a household name, but its impact is hard to ignore. Every year, it rallies state agency and university employees to donate to a sprawling network of local, national, and global charities. With Bivens and Tanner at the helm alongside seven other committee members, the focus remains on keeping the operation tight and transparent while maximizing what lands in the hands of those who need it.

Daniel Bivens brings a seasoned perspective to the table. A retiree from state government, he once led the Office of Public Utility Counsel, advocating for everyday Texans facing utility rate hikes. Before that, he shaped energy policy at the Railroad Commission of Texas. Outside the office, he’s no stranger to service, teaching groups at Hyde Park Baptist Church after a stint as interim pastor. His roots run deep with a business degree from Texas A&M University.

Vanessa Cortez Tanner, meanwhile, is a political insider with a knack for organization. She’s currently chief of staff for Representative Brad Buckley, following a similar role with Representative Scott Sanford. Her resume boasts time as a clerk and director for the Texas Senate Committee on Administration, paired with heavy involvement at Texas State University. From alumni leadership to advisory boards, Tanner’s ties to her alma mater, where she earned degrees in political science and mass communication, are a point of pride.

The SECC itself is a powerhouse, one of the largest efforts of its kind in the country. Since kicking off in 1993, it’s pulled in over $195 million, all from voluntary payroll deductions by state employees. The committee Bivens and Tanner sit on keeps the gears turning, setting budgets, picking eligible charities, and holding administrative costs to a lean 10% of donations. The campaign runs like clockwork each fall, wrapping up by October 31.

It’s not just about the money, though. The setup gives workers an easy way to back causes they care about, from food banks to disaster relief. Charities have to jump through hoops to qualify, proving their nonprofit status and passing audits. That rigor, supporters say, builds trust. Still, some wonder if the system favors bigger players over smaller grassroots outfits, a tension that’s lingered since the program’s early days.

Appointments like these don’t happen in a vacuum. The Governor picks the committee’s nine members, with input from the Lieutenant Governor and Comptroller rounding out the group. It’s a process baked into Texas law, designed to balance expertise with accountability. Senate confirmation adds another layer, though it’s rarely a hurdle during the biennial legislative sessions or special call-ups. Bivens and Tanner’s nods reflect their track records, but they also nod to Austin’s outsized role in state governance.

Texas governors wield hefty appointment power, filling some 1,500 posts over a four-year term. Recent tallies show Abbott made 866 appointments between 2022 and 2024 alone, touching everything from education boards to utility regulators. Voices from places like El Paso, which snagged just 2% of those slots, argue the deck’s stacked toward urban hubs. Others see it as a practical tilt toward where the talent pools cluster.

For the average Texan, this news might feel distant, but its ripples hit close to home. The SECC fuels charities that tackle real problems, like hunger or housing, with cash that might otherwise stay in state paychecks. Bivens and Tanner’s roles ensure the machine keeps humming, a task that blends oversight with a quiet kind of influence. Their terms, if confirmed, lock in continuity for a program that’s grown from a $2 million debut in 1994 to a juggernaut today.

Step back, and it’s a snapshot of how Texas runs its show. Appointees like these bridge the gap between policy and people, wielding expertise to shape outcomes without fanfare. Whether it’s utility bills or charitable dollars, the stakes are tangible. As the state barrels forward, booming in population and industry, the question hangs: can these systems keep pace with the needs they’re built to meet?