By Guy Page

Rep. Mary Hooper, D-Montpelier, has been named chair of the House Appropriations Committee, succeeding retired chair Kitty Toll of Danville. Appropriations prepares the state budget bill, aka the “big bill.” Hooper is a former mayor of Montpelier.

Rep. Curt McCormack

Also, Rep. Curt McCormack, D-Burlington, has stepped down as Transportation Committee chair. He will remain a member of the committee which he has transformed into a juggernaut of renewable power spending and policy. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes, succeeds him as chair.

Vice-chair changes include: Charlie Kimbell, D-Woodstock, Commerce and Economic Development; Sarah Coffey, D-Guilford, Corrections and Institutions; Jim McCullough, D-Williston, Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife; Butch Shaw, R-Pittsford, Transportation; and Progressive Democrat Emilie Kornheiser (Brattleboro) replacing Republican Bill Canfield on the Ways & Means (tax) committee.

All committee leadership and member appointments are made by the speaker of the House, in consultation with House leadership. The following list of all House committee appointments was published yesterday on the Vermont Legislature website.

Read more of Guy Page’s reports. Vermont Daily is sponsored by True North Media.