Davis, Rouzer receive committee assignments
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on February 8, 2009 2:00 AM
Committee assignments were made this week in the state Senate, and both senators representing Wayne County said they were pleased with where they ended up.
Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, was appointed vice chairman of the Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee.
"Agriculture is vital to Wayne County and across the district," he said, noting its economic impact. "I'm especially pleased to be appointed as vice chairman of this committee."
Davis also was appointed to the Senate's education committee and it's education appropriations committee, both of which he feels he will do well on given his background as a teacher.
One issue he's already working on, he explained, is a bill to continue allowing high school students the ability to take community college classes if teacher at both deem it to be appropriate. When introduced, it will be a companion bill to one already put forward in the House. The current law allowing students that opportunity is primed to end, he said.
He also said that not only is he excited to be dealing with education policy, he's also pleased he'll have some say on education funding.
"Education makes up about 60 percent of the state budget, but when we talk about education, we're really talking about investment," he said.
And that, he continued, is something that they will have to keep in mind as they deal with the expected $3 billion shortfall in next year's budget.
Also dealing with financial issues this year will be Sen. David Rouzer, R-Johnston, as a member of the finance and appropriation committees on base budget and natural and economic resources.
"I'm very pleased to be put on the finance and appropriations committees," he said. "I think they'll be real interesting this year. I think that's going to be where the real action is this year. The focus clearly is going to be on the budget."
And, he said, by being on the committee, he hopes he can influence the way the state deals with the shortfall.
"The one thing I'll be trying to accomplish is having more discussion on how to protect the family budget," he said. "I think we need to cut the government and take a look at every single program -- is it serving the purpose it was originally intended? If no, then cut it. If yes, then how can we do it more efficiently?
"If we can look at every single program across the board we can make great progress."
Rouzer also will be serving on the Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee, where he hopes to be able to use his experience working on agricultural issues for U.S. Republican Sens. Jesse Helms and Elizabeth Dole and President George W. Bush's administration.
Davis was appointed to:
*Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources -- vice chairman
*Appropriations on Education/Higher Education
*Appropriations/Base Budget
*Education/Higher Education
*Health Care
*Select Committee on Energy, Science and Technology
*State and Local Government
*Transportation
Rouzer was appointed to:
*Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources
*Appropriations on Natural and Economic Resources
*Appropriations/Base Budget
*Finance
*Health Care
*Judiciary I
*Select Committee on Energy, Science and Technology