Burke named chairman of state government oversight and reform committee

COLUMBUS — State Sen. Dave Burke (R-Marysville) has been tapped by Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) to lead the Senate’s state government oversight and reform committee for the 130th General Assembly. The committee will continue efforts begun in previous legislative sessions to streamline government and improve its efficiency.
“By making government more efficient, we can save our limited resources for where they are able to have the most impact,” Burke said in a written statement. “I look forward to working with the members of the committee on ways we can build on our progress in transforming Ohio government so it can best serve our families and communities.”
Burke also has been named vice-chair of the newly-created Medicaid, health and human services committee and will chair the finance subcommittee on Medicaid. These panels will examine proposals that seek to streamline and modernize the Medicaid program in Ohio, which currently serves more than 2 million Ohioans. The Kasich administration announced last year plans to make the Medicaid program a cabinet-level agency in Ohio as part of the upcoming budget process.
“Medicaid is a significant driver of our state budget and the new Medicaid committee and finance subcommittee will enable Senate members to more closely examine this important program,” Burke said. “They will also allow us to give due consideration to proposals that aim to improve patient care while saving taxpayer dollars.”
Burke also will serve as a member of the agriculture committee, insurance and financial institutions committee, the rules committee and the budget-writing finance committee.
A pharmacist by trade, Burke owns and operates Dave’s Pharmacy in Marysville. Prior to being appointed to the Ohio Senate in 2011, Burke served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and on Marysville City Council.
Burke represents the 26th Ohio Senate District, which encompasses Union, Crawford, Marion, Morrow, Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot counties.

Posted by Daily Chief on January 11, 2013. Filed under State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry