Newly re-elected Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson concluded legislative business on the first day of the 2019 session by announcing committee chairs, filling some vacated Democratic chairs and ousting the lone Republican chair last session.
Johnson removed Rep. Pat Brennan, R-Colchester, as chair of the House Transportation Committee and instead gave the lone Republican chairmanship to Rep. Michael Marcotte, R-Coventry, as head of the House Economic Development Committee. Brennan will serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Janet Ancel, D-Calais.
The new Democratic chairs are:
• Rep. Kathryn Webb, D-Shelburne, chair of House Education
• Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, D-Bradford, chair of House Government Operations
• Rep. Tom Stevens, D-Waterbury, chair of the House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs
• Rep. Timothy Briglin, D-Thetford, chair of House Energy and Technology
• Rep. Curt McCormack, D-Burlington, chair of House Transportation
• Rep. Amy Sheldon, D-Middlebury, chair of House Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife
Johnson had to integrate 40 new members, the largest freshman class in decades, into committees. But the Democrat leadership remains largely the same.
Remaining in their chairs are:
• Rep. Kitty Toll, D-Danville, chair of House Appropriations
• Rep. Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, chair of House Judiciary
• Rep. Bill Lippert, D-Hinesburg, chair of House Health Care
• Rep. Janet Ancel, D-Calais, chair of House Ways and Means
• Rep. Carolyn Partridge, D-Windham, chair of House Agriculture
• Rep. Ann Pugh, D-Burlington, chair of House Human Services
• Rep. Alice Emmons, D-Springfield, chair of House Corrections and Institutions
The Senate got a late start to their opening session due to the heavy snow that started to fall Wednesday. This article will be updated with Senate committee assignments.
