Erdman addresses community members at Kimball Public Library

Senator Steve Erdman, District 47, hosted a town hall meeting on Friday, March 24 at the Kimball Public Library with more than a dozen in attendance.

Erdman answered questions from the public on issues such as funding for education and property tax, and he spoke about serving on the Committee on Committees – who decides which committees others serve on.

"I was fortunate enough to be elected to the Committee on Committees, it is very seldom that a freshman senator coming off the street gets to sit in that position," he said.

"When I was elected to the Committee on Committees, I thought I was in the perfect position, because I will be able to decide which committee I serve on," he said. "They asked which committee I want and I said that I want agriculture and transportation."

With his background, and his offer to consider other options, Erdman was instead asked to serve on the Education Committee and the Department of Health and Human Services Committee.

He meets on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1 p.m., until the Education committee completes its work – sometimes as late as 9 p.m.

"HHS meets Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, so from Jan. 11 until yesterday (March 23), every day the legislature has been in session I have been in hearings from 1 p.m. until whenever, every day," Erdman said. "I have not had time to write a blog or do the things I would normally do because I have research these bills and try to make a decision."

667 bills have been introduced, according to Erdman, so though he does not have time to read each bill, or even review them all, early in the mornings he reviews the bills that have made it through committee that he must decide.

He also uses his early morning hours to talk with like-minded members to discuss matters and make an informed decision.

"It is very vital that I get there early to get that conversation rolling, to be able establish that trust and that rapport," Erdman said.