New GOP legislative commmittee chairs announced
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The new Republican leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate have announced the legislators who will chair legislative committees.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and House Speaker-designate Kurt Zellers released the list Wednesday at the Capitol, juts one day after unveiling a new streamlined committee structure.
In the Senate, all but one returning Republican was given a committee chairmanship. Sen. Michael Jungbauer, R-East Bethel, had earlier predicted he would be bypassed because of his work with DFLers on a 35W bridge collapse investigation.
Koch insisted Jungbauer was not being punished.
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"We're not done handing out subcommittee assignments, then we've got commissions," she said. "So no, we're going to utilize all the talent. We have to."
Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, will chair the influential House Ways and Means Committee. Holberg told reporters she's confident that a projected $5.8 billion budget deficit can be erased with spending cuts alone.
"I'm completely convinced with out a doubt that we'll be able to do it," Holberg said. "And how we're going to be able to do it is with all of the people here bringing their ideas forward."
The House list of new committee chairs includes Jim Abeler and Rod Hamilton, two Republicans who were previously ostracized for voting with Democrats in 2008 to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of a transportation funding bill.
SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Capitol Investment - David Senjem
Finance - Claire Robling
Taxes - Julianne Ortman
Rules - Amy Koch
Agriculture Budget & Policy - Doug Magnus
Commerce & Consumer Protection Budget & Policy - Chris Gerlach
Education Budget & Policy-Gen Olson
Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Budget & Policy - Julie Rosen
Environment & Natural Resources Budget & Policy - Bill Ingebrigtsen
Health & Human Services Budget & Policy - David Hann
Higher Education Budget & Policy - Michelle Fischbach
Jobs and Economic Growth Budget & Policy - Geoff Michel
Local Government & Elections - Ray Vandeveer
Judiciary & Public Safety Budget & Policy-Warren Limmer
State Government Innovation and Veterans Budget & Policy - Mike Parry
Transportation Budget & Policy - Joe Gimse
HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Ways & Means - MaryLiz Holberg
Taxes - Greg Davids
Property & Local Tax Division - Linda Runbeck
Education Finance - Pat Garofalo
Education Reform - Sondra Erickson
Health and Human Services Finance - Jim Abeler
Health and Human Services Reform - Steve Gottwalt
Ag & Rural Development Policy & Finance - Rod Hamilton
Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Policy & Finance - Tom Hackbarth
Commerce & Regulatory Reform - Joe Hoppe
Capital Investment - Larry Howes
Public Safety & Crime Prevention Policy & Finance - Tony Cornish
Civil Law - Torrey Westrom
Judiciary Policy & Finance - Steve Smith
Transportation Policy & Finance - Mike Beard
State Government Finance - Denny McNamara
Veterans Services Division - Bruce Anderson
Legacy Funding Division - Dean Urdahl
Government Operations & Elections - Joyce Peppin
Higher Education Policy & Finance - Bud Nornes
Jobs & Economic Development Finance - Bob Gunther
Rules & Legislative Administration - Matt Dean
Ethics - Steve Smith
Redistricting - Sarah Anderson