Local state rep. named new Ways and Means chair

INDIANAPOLIS (WLFI) - Speaker of the Indiana House Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) announced Tuesday that Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) will be the next Chairman of the state’s Ways and Means Committee.

“We have such a deep pool of exemplary leaders in our Caucus, but Rep. Brown will bring a unique perspective and set of experience to the tough job of Chair of Ways and Means,” Bosma said.

“He has held a variety of leadership positions within our Caucus and most recently served as the Chairman of the Public Health Committee. With his background as a medical doctor, Rep. Brown brings with him a deep understanding of health care – something that will certainly be taking center stage as the state factors in the effects of the new Affordable Care Act.”

Brown has been a legislator for almost 20 years and has worked on numerous legislative initiatives since 1994, many of which included topics on health and health care.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in arts at Illinois Wesleyan University and his medical degree at the University of Illinois.

Before serving in the Indiana House of Representatives, he was the treasurer for the Indiana State Medical Association for four years.

“I am honored and humbled by my appointment as the next Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. Hoosier families have had to tighten their belts to make ends meet. Indiana needs to continue to live within our state’s means to best serve Hoosiers,” said Rep. Tim Brown.

In addition to Rep. Brown’s appointment, Speaker Bosma announced the following leadership appointments within the Ways and Means Committee:

Vice Chair Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville)
Budget Committee Alternate Rep. Eric Turner (R-Cicero)
Chair of Higher Education Subcommittee Rep. Tom Dermody (R-LaPorte)
Chair of Budget Subcommittee Rep. Bob Cherry (R-Greenfield)
Chair of K-12 Education Subcommittee Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton)
Chair of Local Government or Tax Subcommittee Rep. Dan Leonard (R-Huntington)
Chair of Health and Medicaid Subcommittee Rep. Phyllis Pond (R-New Haven)