McReynolds appointed to serve on House committees

House Speaker Tom Craddick has appointed State Representative Jim McReynolds to serve on the House Appropriations and the Corrections Committees. Jim expressed his excitement after receiving the news of the appointments.

“I'm honored and pleased to serve on these two critical committees,” said McReynolds.

“I've already invested four of my ten years of service on House Appropriations and as a seasoned member I'm ready to begin. Even though setting a budget is never easy whether in your home, church or civic club, setting the budget for the state is vitally important.”

“Our biggest assignment on Appropriations is to see that the taxpayer's dollars are spent wisely and efficiently on those programs and services that all Texans need and enjoy,” McReynolds said.

The Appropriations Committee will begin setting a 2 year budget during the 80th legislature for the years 2008 and 2009.

Rep. McReynolds is also enthusiastic about his appointment to the House Committee on Corrections. McReynolds served on this committee during the 79th Legislature. “All of us want and deserve to live in a safe home and neighborhood, work at a safe job, and have our children attend a safe school," said McReynolds. "The corrections system is vital to the well being of Texans.”

One question the Legislature will face this session is whether or not to build new prisons.

Currently prison beds are at capacity in Texas and some of the state leaders are advocating building additional beds. “I'd rather build new schools than new prisons in Texas,” McReynolds said. “Perhaps the best alternative to prison building is to put more dollars up front in probation programs like funding more drug courts, reducing case loads for probation officers, and allocating new dollars to places like the Burke Center for drug and alcohol treatment programs."

“I'm truly happy with my committee assignments this session,” McReynolds said. “I can do a lot of good for Texas and especially East Texas by serving on the powerful Appropriations Committee and the Corrections Committee.