Local lawmakers receive variety of committee posts

The new state Legislature has been sworn in alongside a new governor, and lawmakers are just getting down to the big issues facing Michigan as they settle into their committee assignments.

State Rep. Hugh Crawford (R-Walled Lake, Wixom) has been named the chairman of the House Regulatory Reform Committee. He was lauded by new Speaker of the House Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) as being honest, fair and committed to the state of Michigan.

“I am honored and humbled to have been named chairman of Regulatory Reform,” Crawford said. “It is very important to the citizens of Michigan that government gets out of the way of job creation. Reforming the way government does business is a huge step in the right direction.”

Crawford was also named to the Education Committee as well as the Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs Committee.

State Rep. Gail Haines (R-Waterford, West Bloomfield) will be chairwoman of the House Health Policy Committee and will serve on the Families, Children and Services Committee, as well as the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

“Serving on these committees will allow me to advocate for the reform Michigan needs,” Haines said. “I’m excited to be part of efforts to reform our state and create jobs in Michigan.”

State Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-White Lake, Waterford) will serve as chairwoman of the House Environmental Quality Subcommittee, the vice-chairwoman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee, and will serve on the General Government and Joint Capital Outlay subcommittees. She will also serve on the Energy and Technology Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee.

“Serving on the Appropriations Committee will provide me an active role in reforming our state to bring and retain jobs in our region,” Kowall said. “I’m further looking forward to being a part of energy innovation in Michigan through serving on the Energy and Technology Committee.”

State Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake) has been named minority vice-chair of the House Education Committee. She was also appointed to the Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee, and the Judiciary Committee.

“I’m excited to serve on the House Education Committee as we work to ensure that every child has access to the high-quality education they deserve,” Brown said. “Quality education will help ensure that we have the highly educated work force needed to bring new businesses to Michigan and compete in the global economy. I will continue to fight for the resources our schools need.”

State Rep. Bill Rogers (R-Milford) has been appointed to the House Appropriations Committee. In that position, he will serve as chair of the Department of Education and School Aid Appropriations Subcommittee, and vice-chair of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth Appropriations Subcommittee. In addition, Rogers will serve on the Corrections, Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police Appropriations Subcommittees. Rogers also served on the House Appropriations Committee last term.

“I’m ready to get to work serving the constituents of the 66th District,” Rogers said. “Serving on the Appropriations Committee will provide me an active role in reforming Michigan’s economy and I’m looking forward to making a difference.”

State Rep. Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham) will chair the House Appropriations Committee. He has said he will balance the state’s budget by spring.

State Sen. David Robertson (R-Waterford) will chair the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. He will also be vice-chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee. In addition, Robertson will serve as a member of the Finance Committee, Insurance committee, and Reform, Restructure and Reinventing Committee.

State Sen. Mike Kowall (R-Commerce, Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, White Lake, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield) has been named chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee and vice-chair of the Transportation Committee. He has also been assigned to the Reform, Restructuring and Reinvention Committee, as well as the Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee.