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Rep. Cody Smith appointed as vice-chair of the House Budget Committee

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Speaker of the House Todd Richardson has appointed Rep. Cody Smith to assist in leading the House Budget Committee as the new vice-chair.

Smith replaces former Rep. Justin Alferman as the committee’s vice-chair. Alferman recently resigned the position to serve as Gov. Mike Parson’s legislative director.

“Passing a balanced and responsible state operating budget is the single greatest task the legislature tackles each year and ensuring its passage requires knowledgeable leaders at the helm,” Speaker Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said. “Rep. Smith’s background in finance and careful attention to protecting taxpayers makes him a perfect choice to serve as vice chair of the budget committee.”

Smith is a small business owner and realtor with an extensive background in banking and finance. He is serving his first term in the House of Representatives. As a member of the House, Smith is the vice-chair of the important Fiscal Review Committee which thoroughly reviews legislation being considered that would require the state to spend taxpayer money.

“As a business owner, I know what it is like to balance a budget by scrutinizing every penny being spent and making tough decisions to fund only the business’ priorities,” said Smith, R-Carthage. “I will bring the same perspective to the Budget Committee to ensure we fund our priorities while protecting taxpayers’ dollars and constantly look for opportunities to allow Missourians to keep more of their own money.”

The House Budget Committee is tasked with crafting and passing the state’s $28 billion operating budget.

Smith added, “I am thankful to Speaker Richardson for this appointment and am honored to assist Chairman Fitzpatrick to pass a fiscally-sound budget that abides by our conservative principles. I will never forget that the spending discussed in the Budget Committee is not of the government’s money, but that it belongs to the hard-working taxpayers of Missouri.”