Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) today announced that he has appointed Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen) to serve as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations following Sen. Luke Kenley’s (R-Noblesville) retirement later this year.

“Ryan’s excellent work on the school funding formula in the last several state budgets has proven he has the acumen, skills, and temperament required to handle this challenging position,” Long said. “I am pleased that he will be taking on this new role. He has big shoes to fill, but I am confident he will continue to provide the strong leadership Sen. Kenley has displayed during his many years of service as chairman.”

Mishler is the Senate Majority Whip and has served as Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee for five years. He currently chairs the Subcommittee on School Funding. He also serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services and as a member of the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy. He previously chaired the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to take on this new role,” Mishler said. “Over the last decade, Indiana has worked hard to build a national reputation for common-sense fiscal responsibility that protects taxpayers, and I look forward to continuing to build on that reputation in the years to come.”

Kenley, who has chaired the Appropriations Committee since 2009, recently announced that he will retire from the Senate on Sept. 30.

It’s been a privilege to work with so many outstanding colleagues over the years to help position our state for economic success,” Kenley said. “Ryan has been a big part of those efforts. I have enjoyed working with him as a member of the committee, and I know he will do a great job as chairman.”