Nodler to Chair Appropriations

Sen. Gary Nodler officially received his appointment to serve as chairman of the state Senate Appropriations Committee today.

The powerful chairmanship will give the Joplin Republican significant influence on the state's annual $20 billion dollar budget.

Nodler announced the Senate Appropriations Committee will formally begin work with a series of public hearings in December, earlier than in the past.

“The budget process is demanding and time consuming, but it is also the most important and only constitutional requirement the General Assembly must perform each year,” said Nodler at a press event today in Joplin.

Nodler will head the committee that is currently made up of several Ozarks lawmakers, including Sens. Norma Champion, R-Springfield; Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield; Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring.