December 8, 2006
House District 31 - Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker-elect Lance Cargill announced today that he is naming State Representative Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) as the Vice-Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and to a key position on the Transportation Committee that Murphey had sought placement on.

"I am grateful to Speaker Cargill for trusting me with these appointments and I will enjoy being an advocate for the people in my role as a committee member," Murphey said.

As Vice-Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Murphey will be responsible for the Chairing of the Committee in the absence of the Chairman and overseeing both policy and appropriations issues relating to security issues as they are brought before the House of Representatives.

Murphey is especially excited about his role on the Transportation Committee due to the significant road infrastructure needs in North Edmond and Logan County. Murphey is authoring legislation to help end the state's practice of spending vehicle tag taxes on non-road related items and wants to use this funding for roads in growth areas. Murphey's legislation is almost certain to come before the committee of which he is a member.

Murphey was also appointed to the Human Services Committee and the Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee.

"I wanted to be on the Human Services Committee because I want to lead the effort to reform Human Services in Oklahoma," Murphey explained.

Because of a recent restructuring of the House committee system the upcoming session will be the first time the Committees on which Murphey serves will be responsible for overseeing both policy issues while also functioning as sub-committees for the House appropriations process meaning that Murphey will have an opportunity to advocate for across the board spending reduction and fiscal reform in state government.