New Texas Railroad Commissioner Jon Rosenthal hopes to double budget for agency

This story is part of a partnership between KERA and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. It is being reprinted with permission. Newly elected Railroad Commissioner Jon Rosenthal laid out his priorities ahead of transition meetings in Austin planned for next week. At a press conference in Midland, Rosenthal said his top priority is doubling the budget for the agency. “Voters have delivered a mandate for a change,” said Rosenthal. “My goal is to help this commission be more effective and transparent.” The Texas Railroad Commission oversees the state’s oil and gas industry. In 2025, state lawmakers appropriated $593 million for the agency for the next two fiscal years. Rosenthal worked in this industry for over 25 years as a mechanical engineer; he also served four terms in the Texas House representing a district that overlaps with parts of West Houston. He describes himself as a “drill baby drill” Democrat.

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