There is no glass ceiling at the House Appropriations Committee. For the first time, a woman will lead the powerful budget committee.
Republican Representative Laura Cox was named Monday as the next chairwoman by Speaker-elect Tom Leonard. Cox, who will take control in January, is a first-term lawmaker from Livonia.
"I'm very thrilled and honored," Cox said. "It is an added bonus that I am the first woman in Michigan's house history, but I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be the chairwoman of the Appropriations committee."
Already a member of the committee, Cox said what the House can expect under her leadership.
"I think it is going to be a good platform to work with the caucus, and promote principals and the ideas that we have about how state government should be run," Cox said. "How we should be cautious and judicious with the taxpayers' dollar."
Before becoming legislator, Cox served as a Wayne county commissioner and formerly worked as a United States customs special agent.
