New GOP legislative commmittee chairs announced

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