By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News
Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, is the new Alabama House education budget committee chairman.
Garrett replaces former Rep. Bill Poole, who this month became the state’s finance director.
Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, made the announcement Tuesday. Garrett was first elected to the House in 2014. This term he’s been vice-chairman of the budget committee under Poole.
“Since Rep. Garrett’s appointment as vice chair of the Ways and Means Education Budget Committee, he has worked closely with chairman Poole to ensure the education trust fund grew to record levels,” McCutcheon said in a written statement. “I am confident that the education budget will continue its success under the leadership of Rep. Garrett, and I look forward to working with him in his new role.”
The Legislature’s four budget chairmanships are among the most powerful in the body. This year, lawmakers approved a record $7.6 billion education budget for the fiscal year that begins in October.
“It is truly an honor to be appointed chair of the Ways and Means Education Budget Committee and I want to thank Speaker McCutcheon for his confidence in me,” Garrett said in the statement. “Over the last few years, it has been a pleasure to serve as Chairman Poole’s vice chair and I enjoyed working through complex issues with him.”
Garrett also said Tuesday he’s running for reelection in 2022, pledging to help keep the state “conservative, pro-family and pro-small business.”
Garrett has a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration and a master’s in tax accounting. He’s a certified public accountant and prior to his State House election, he was a vice president of the Trussville City School Board of Education.
His chairmanship will also mean he’ll serve on the General Fund budget committee, as is standard.
McCutcheon tagged Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, to be vice chair of the education budget committee. Rep. Rodney Sullivan, R-Northport, will fill the vacancy on the committee created by Poole’s departure.