State Rep. Bart Korman will lead the committee charged with crafting the budgets for the Missouri Departments of Revenue, Transportation and Economic Development.Korman was selected by House Speaker Tim Jones to serve as the new chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations – Revenue, Transportation and Economic Development.Korman takes over for state Rep. Denny Hoskins who is now an ex officio member of all House committees after being elected to the position of Speaker Pro Tem during the interim of 2013.Jones said that Korman is an ideal choice to replace Hoskins and someone who will continue the strong leadership Hoskins displayed in helping the House Budget Committee to craft fiscally responsible state operating budgets.“Bart has gained immense knowledge and experience while serving as the vice chairman of the committee and I know he is ready to put that expertise to good use in leading his colleagues as they craft a responsible spending plan for the state departments they oversee,” said Jones, R-Eureka.As chair of the committee, Korman will preside over committee hearings and be responsible for all legislation referred to the committee.The committee is responsible not only for making budget recommendations for the Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation and Department of Economic Development, but also the Department of Insurance and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.The committee makes its recommendations to the House Budget Committee that ultimately approves a state spending plan before sending it to the House floor for a vote. In total, Korman’s committee oversees more than $3 billion in funding each year.House Budget Chairman Rick Stream said he is eager to work with Korman in his new capacity as chairman.“I have had a great working relationship with Rep. Korman in his duties as vice chairman. He has been a strong advocate for fiscally responsible budgeting and someone who has played a key role in helping us to navigate what is always a challenging budget process,” said Stream, R-Kirkwood.“I have learned a great deal from both Rep. Hoskins and Rep. Stream and I hope to apply it to my role as chairman,” said Korman. “The issues of transportation and economic development are very important to the people of the 42nd District and all Missouri.”Korman will serve as the chairman of the committee for the remainder of the 97th General Assembly. The 2014 legislative session began Wednesday, Jan. 8.Korman to lead budgeting committee