Incoming state Reps. Rinker and Collins snag committee vice chair slots

Committee chair assignments have been announced for Des Moines County's two newly elected state representatives.

House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) announced the committee assignments Tuesday.

House District 95 Rep.-elect Taylor Collins (R-Mediapolis) will serve as vice chair of the politically key Appropriations Committee. House District 99 Rep.-elect Matt Rinker (R-Burlington) will be vice chair of the of the House Veteran Affairs Committee.

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"I want to thank Speaker Grassley for his confidence in me to continue delivering a conservative, responsible state budget for the people of Iowa,” Collins said in a statement. “Iowans expect a government that lives within its means, and I look forward to working with Chairman (Gary) Mohr to ensure our state continues to serve as the leader in conservative budgeting."

"Iowa House Republicans have shown that we are the leaders that deliver on the promises we make to Iowans," Grassley said in a statement. "This session will be no different.  These committees will get to work on an agenda set by the people of Iowa to deliver on their priorities and address their concerns."

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Collins also will sit on the Education, Judiciary, and State Government committees and the Education Appropriations subcommittee.

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Rinker defeated long-time Democratic representative Dennis Cohoon, who has represented the area since 1987, for his seat at the statehouse.

"I was very excited (to hear) about the assignments and I think they put me in a good position to be able to have a positive impact in this area," Rinker told The Hawk Eye on Wednesday. "Public Safety and Veterans Affairs are obviously something very important to me, so I was extremely happy."

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"I think it just speaks to the credibility that I'd to take up there to Des Moines. So I was honored that the Speaker gave me this opportunity," he said.

Rinker also will sit on the Local Government and Public Safety committees, and the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitol Appropriations subcommittee.

Collins ran unopposed to replace Rep. David Kerr (R-Morning Sun), who had announced his retirement in January.

The 2023 Legislative session begins Jan. 9, 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: Reps. Rinker and Collins' committee slots revealed ahead of session