The incoming state Senate President, Bob Burns, announced his list of new committees and their chairmen for next year in a news release today. See the complete list below. The most obvious change was Burns’ own replacement as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Sen.-elect Russell Pearce, R-Mesa. Pearce was in charge of budget appropriations during most of his time in the House, and his experience will be invaluable to Burns as Legislature deals with the on-going budget crisis.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is Sen. John Huppenthal, R-Chandler, taking charge of education issues, as he will chair a committee called education accountability and reform. The title implies that Huppenthal will again take up the cause of school choice and other Republican reform issues. With his background in research and data analysis, I expect Huppenthal to stand toe-to-toe with highly educated school district superintendents and their lobbyists.

Since two education committees will be combined into one, Sen. Linda Gray, R-Phoenix, will become chairwoman of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee.

Here’s the complete list.