George P. Bush plans overhaul of Land Commissioner office

WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Land Commissioner-elect George P. Bush plans to consolidate three of the agency’s previous divisions into a new entity in charge of generating energy-related revenue — a move that will mean staff cuts.

Bush transition team spokesman JR Hernandez said late Monday that the number of position reductions is “to be determined,” but that most would come via attrition.

In a statement, Bush said he was creating the new Permanent School Fund Income Division to “increase efficiencies and reduce administrative redundancies.”

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The division combines the Energy Resources Division with the Asset Management and Asset Inspection Divisions.

The previous divisions had fed the Permanent School Fund, which uses revenue from oil and gas interests on state-owned land to help pay for Texas public education.

Bush takes office Jan. 2.