Senator Johnnie Crutchfield has been promoted to serve as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan. The Ardmore Democrat was promoted to the post shortly after Senator Mike Morgan, (D-Stillwater) was elected as President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate Wednesday.

“I am anxious to begin working to complete the appropriations process in the Senate, and I am humbled that President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan has placed his confidence in me to head this committee,” Crutchfield said. “I am extremely honored to take on such an important task for the good of the citizens of this great state.”

Crutchfield was appointed to serve as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education before session began and now will serve a duel role as chairman of both committees. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Crutchfield will have the responsibility of overseeing the $5.95 billion state budget.

The Senator said his focus will remain on making a better tomorrow for Oklahoma children and a brighter future for the state.

“We passed a General Appropriations bill in the Senate last week that invests more than $3 billion into education, and another $2 billion to fund critical services working families depend on every day such as rural fire protection, senior citizen nutrition programs, affordable healthcare and job creation programs,” Crutchfield said. “It is my intention to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to ensure the state budget process continues in a bi-partisan fashion to benefit all Oklahomans, and I urge Speaker Hiett and the Republican Leadership in the House to work with us to complete this task.”

Crutchfield was elected to the Oklahoma Legislature in 1998 and was appointed to serve as Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Education at the beginning of this legislative session.

Prior to his service in the legislature, Crutchfield served as councilman and then mayor of the City of Ardmore. He is a longtime educator, serving Ardmore City Schools as a teacher for 18 years.

“My life experiences before coming to the Senate, as teacher and then as councilman and mayor of the city of Ardmore gave me a deep appreciation for the values that all Oklahomans share. Those values include a desire to make a better tomorrow for our children by fully funding education,” Crutchfield concluded. “As your Senator, and as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fully intend to make sure those values are represented in any legislation signed into law.”

For more information contact:
Senate Communications Office- (405) 521-5774