Representative Briggs Named to Leadership Position on House Policy Committee

Local State Representative Tim Briggs was named the vice-chairman of the House Democratic Party Policy Committee for the 2011-12 legislative session today, according to a press release from Briggs' office.

The representative will help set the agenda for public hearings across the state, which in turn influences the policy goals of the Democratic Caucus. "The committee holds hearings around the Commonwealth to investigate the local impact of certain issues and collect valuable expert input," according to the press release. More information can be found online at  www.pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee.

"I'm excited to get to work, and I'm happy to be a member of this crucial committee where I'll have the opportunity to help direct the agenda and priorities of the Democratic Caucus this session," Briggs said in the press release.

His priorities will continue to be "advocating for proper investment in public education, job creation, environmental stewardship and being a voice for Pennsylvania's children," the release said.

Briggs recently presented awards to three Lower Merion fifth graders at a Lower Merion Board of School Directors meeting in January for winning an annual essay contest.

"Representative Briggs is a passionate and policy-minded leader, and brings many good ideas to the table," Mike Sturla, a Democrat from Lancaster and chairman of the policy committee, said in the release. "I am pleased to enlist his leadership as a vice chairman of the Policy Committee for the current session."

Briggs also said that he will advocate a severance tax on the extraction of natural gas found in Macellus Shale formations in the state, a hot button topic in recent political debate. Briggs said he wants to make sure that gas companies seeking a profit from Pennsylvania resources "pay their fair share."

Briggs represents Pennsylvania's 149th district, which includes Ardmore, Wynnewood, Haverford and parts of Bryn Mawr.