Even as budget negotiations are underway, a changing of the guard is underway for the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Committee leadership. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat is changing the chairman from Senator Roger Thompson to the Committee Vice Chair Senator Chuck Hall. Senator Paul Rosino will now serve as the vice chair to the committee.
“Senator Thompson has done a tremendous job as appropriations chairman and has a firm handle on the state budget. He has been an invaluable appropriations chairman and I have the highest regard for Sen. Thompson. However, as we continue our transition into our new transparency efforts, it is vital to move forward accordingly. Sen. Hall has a firm grasp on the budget and is who I think is in the best position to guide our new transparency efforts moving forward. I was incredibly impressed with the way Sen. Hall navigated the ARPA process and the way he conducted those meetings, which makes him a natural fit for this role. He is committed to our new process and has proven himself more than capable,” said Treat.
Treat also is confident Rosino is up to the task.
“Likewise, Sen. Rosino is deeply invested in the budget process, and is all in on the transparency efforts we have undertaken thus far. I appreciate each one of these senators and I consider them personal friends. However, for this process to be successful, change was necessary, and this is what I see as the best fit.”
