Senator Johnston Named Senate Finance Chair

Monday, December 3 2012

DENVER – Colorado Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) has named Senator Mike Johnston (D-Denver) to continue as chair of the Senate Finance Committee when the 69^th General Assembly convenes on January 9, 2013. Senator Johnston has chaired Finance since 2011, and was Vice Chair of Finance in 2010.

The Finance Committee handles a wide range of responsibilities, including evaluating public finance proposals and the state’s revenue structures, along with oversight of agencies such as the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), the Departments of Revenue and Treasury, and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting. 

“I am delighted to stay on as chair of the Finance Committee,” said Johnston. “We all depend on our state officials and agencies to make wise financial decisions, and I intend to make sure our committee continues in that direction. From the long-term health of PERA to monitoring bills with potential fiscal impact, I understand the Finance Committee must work in the best interests of all Coloradans.”

Senator Johnston will also serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Education committee in the coming session. 

Senator Johnston has earned a master’s degree in Education and a law degree. After completing college, he took a job teaching English in an impoverished area of Mississippi, and wrote his book “In the Deep Heart’s Core” about this experience. He was the founding principal of Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts. He joined the Senate in 2009, filling the vacancy left when former Senate President Peter Groff accepted a job with the Obama administration, and won his Senate elections in both 2010 and 2012.