IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       
December 7, 2007 

For More Information, Contact:
Sherriene Jones-Sontag, 785/296-2302
Rep. Tom Sloan, 785/841-1526
Rep. Ronnie Metsker, 913/362-1333
Rep.-Elect Jill Quigley, 913/541-9645

SPEAKER MAKES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT CHANGES

FOR UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) announced today assignment changes to several House committees for the 2008 Legislative Session.  The changes affect Rep. Tom Sloan (R-Lawrence), Rep. Ronnie Metsker (R-Overland Park), and Rep.-Elect Jill Quigley (R-Lenexa).

Speaker Neufeld appointed Rep. Sloan as Vice-Chairman of the House Government Efficiency and Technology Committee. 

“Rep. Sloan is a strong supporter of using the latest technology to better the lives of Kansans,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “His leadership is this area will serve the committee and the state well.”

Rep. Sloan replaces Rep. Stephanie Sharp (R-Lenexa) as Vice-Chairman.  She is resigning from the Kansas Legislature.

"Government efficiency, cost-effectively providing health care and other services, and openness of government processes to the public will increasingly be dependent on the wise use of Internet technological capabilities,” said Rep. Sloan.  “Providing leadership in those areas is my objective."

First elected to the Kansas Legislature in 1995, Rep. Sloan represents the 45^th House District which includes the townships of Kanwaka, Lecompton and part of Wakarusa in Douglas County as well as the cities of Lecompton and part of Lawrence.  He also serves on the House Transportation Committee and the House Energy and Utilities Committee.

Speaker Neufeld also appointed Rep. Metsker to the House Transportation Committee.

“Rep. Metsker will be a great addition to the House Transportation Committee,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “As a representative from Johnson County, he will bring the perspective of Kansans who live in our large, metropolitan areas to the committee.  This will be very important as committee members begin preparing for a new state highway plan”

Rep. Metsker replaces Rep. Sharp on the Transportation Committee.

“It is well known that one of my passions is public safety, so I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue the strong tradition of a well-built transportation infrastructure locally and across the state,” Rep. Metsker said.  “I look forward to thoughtful consideration of solving difficult transportation issues.  We have many needs in our area and in neighboring communities that are affected by critically important issues assigned to this committee.”

Rep. Metsker represents the 24^th District which includes the city of Mission and parts of Overland Park and Roeland Park.  He also serves on the House Commerce and Labor and the House Elections and Governmental Organization Committees.

Speaker Neufeld also announced today the committee appointments of Rep-Elect Quigley.

Speaker Neufeld said Quigley will serve on the House Government Efficiency and Technology Committee; House Commerce Committee: and House Health and Human Services Committee.

“When Rep-Elect Quigley was elected by the 17^th District Precinct Committee last summer, she pledged to work on limiting the size of government, increasing healthcare access, and continuing economic growth,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “I believe these committee assignments will help her serve her district and the state well.”

Quigley, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri and a Masters in Nursing from the University of Michigan, currently works as an outreach coordinator at Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care, a safety-net family practice clinic in Kansas City, Kansas.

“I look forward to serving my district and the people of Kansas through these committees,” Rep-Elect Quigley said.  “Given my health care background, I am especially pleased to have the opportunity to work on health policy through the Health and Human Services Committee.”

Rep-elect Quigley will replace Rep. Sharp on January 15, 2008 as the State Representative for the 17^th House District.  She will represent parts of Lenexa and Shawnee, Kansas.

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