Incoming Republican leader, newly elected Senate President Andy Biggs, has finalized the heads of committees for this upcoming legislative session. Most notable is the generosity he showed to Senator Steve Pierce by giving him the chairmanship of the Natural Resources Committee, and the generosity he showed Arizona’s school children by naming Rich Crandall the head of Transportation instead of Education.
Crandall, whose conflicts of interests on the Education Committee in the past, will no longer be able to prevent real reforms from consideration. Steve Pierce, who attempted to use his power to maintain his personal power, lost his power position as Senate President to Biggs last week. One legislative insider said of the move, “Transportation? Stevie is going to have to get to the Governor’s Mansion on a bus now, maybe the same one he threw his fellow Republicans under this election.”
Appropriations: Sen. Don Shooter
Finance: Sen. Steve Yarbrough
Judiciary: Sen. Rick Murphy
Public Safety: Sen.-elect Chester Crandell
Education: Sen.-elect Kimberly Yee
Health & Human Services: Sen. Nancy Barto
Commerce, Energy & Military: Sen. Al Melvin
Natural Resources: Sen. Steve Pierce
Elections: Sen. Michele Reagan
Transportation: Sen. Rich Crandall
Government & Environment: Sen. Gail Griffin