Bingman names Jolley Appropriations vice chairman

CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published: 19-Nov-2010

President Pro Tempore Designate Brian Bingman announced Sen. Clark Jolley, an Edmond Republican, as Vice Chairman of Appropriations.  Last week Bingman announced Sen. David Myers, a Ponca City Republican, as Chairman of Appropriations.

The decision to select an Appropriations Committee Chair and Vice Chair before other committee selections are made is a result of a focus on budget challenges ahead according to Senator Bingman, a Sapulpa Republican.

“Sen. Jolley will do an excellent job as Appropriations Vice Chairman.  He is ready to start the difficult budget work ahead” stated Bingman.

“Before we do anything else we must bring state spending down to levels the economy can afford.  In order to put Oklahoma in position to succeed economically and create jobs, our budget must be balanced without asking the taxpayers for additional funds” said Jolley.

“Taxpayers are doing their part; we must do ours.  We are ready to move Oklahoma forward with a smaller government and a bigger economy” concluded Bingman.

Jolley was first elected to the State Senate in 2004.  In the last legislature he served as the Chairman of Health and Human Services Committee, Vice Chairman of Education, and was a member of the Finance Committee, Rules Committee, and Appropriation Subcommittee on Education.

On Tuesday, Jolley was re-elected to a leadership position last week within the Republican Senate Caucus as an Assistant Majority Floor Leader.  He is also the Co-Chairman of Redistricting.