JEFFERSON CITY — This week, President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, announced the remaining committee appointments for the 18 standing Senate committees. Among those named to chair positions is Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, who was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on General Laws and Pensions.

“As a freshman senator, I’m very honored to be appointed Vice-Chair of the General Laws and Pensions Committee,” said Sen. Wieland. “It’s a great opportunity to represent my constituents’ interests on a wide range of issues, including retirement and pensions.”

Senator Wieland was also appointed to the Senate Committee on Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections; the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government; and the Senate Committee on Small Business, Insurance and Industry.

“I’m especially interested in the work we’ll be doing in the Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee,” Sen. Wieland said. “My prior experience serving as Vice-Chair of the Insurance Policy Committee in the House, and working in the private insurance industry for nearly a decade, will allow me to hit the ground running as we begin considering legislation.”

In 2013, then-Rep. Wieland successfully led the effort to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 339, legislation he sponsored to protect Missourians from uninsured motorists. 

Senator Wieland also believes his membership on the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee will be helpful in his ongoing effort to revitalize Missouri’s ports. During the 2014 session, he tirelessly worked to pass House Bill 2063, an economic development package aimed at bringing jobs to the state by encouraging development of Missouri’s ports. Though the bill did not clear the Senate, Wieland was able to work closely with the Jefferson County Port Authority to secure $650,000 in appropriated funds to help pay for improvements to Missouri’s port systems.

Further development of the Jefferson County port system is one of the issues high on the senator’s priority list for the 2015 session.