Sen. Newhouse named to key committees ahead of session

State Sen. Joe Newhouse has been chosen to serve as vice chair of the Senate Education Committee during the 57th Legislature.  Newhouse said he was honored by the appointment.

“In terms of creating prosperity for our state, attracting businesses and good paying jobs, education is one of our most important economic development tools,” said Newhouse, R-Broken Arrow.  “Excellence in education means giving Oklahoma students the tools they need to succeed not only in school, but throughout their lives.  I will be focused on those goals as I help guide this important committee through its work.”

Newhouse will also have a seat on the Senate Public Safety Committee.

“Having recently been deployed by the Navy for active duty in our counter-terrorism efforts, I am very pleased to be assigned to the Senate Public Safety Committee,” Newhouse said. “It’s important we create public policy that that advances our work and that of law enforcement agencies to make our towns and cities safer for all our citizens.”

In addition, Newhouse will also serve on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Select Agencies.           

“The Subcommittee on Select Agencies deals with 57 non-appropriated agencies and commissions that draw their funding from fees or from the services they provide.  Two of the largest of these are the Grand River Dam Authority and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.  This subcommittee gives us oversight of these state entities,” Newhouse said.

Newhouse was also appointed to the Committee on Business, Commerce and Tourism.

“This committee deals with issues that also have a direct impact on job creation and economic development,” Newhouse said.  “I look forward to working on legislation to move our state forward in these areas.”

Sen. Joe Newhouse at 405-521-5675 or email newhouse@oksenate.gov