Incoming freshman state Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, has been appointed to serve on the General Assembly’s powerful Appropriations and Judiciary committees as well as the Public Safety and Security Committee.

The 43rd District that Howard, a veteran Stonington police detective, represents includes Stonington and North Stonington. He was appointed to the committees by the House Republican leader-elect, state Rep. Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford.

"These committees will permit me to share my experience in law enforcement, on what works and what does not work, as we look to pass legislation next year," Howard said. "We must make sure the legislation passed in Hartford, does no harm to the brave men and women that protect Connecticut families daily."

The Appropriations Committee is in charge of writing and adopting the state’s next two-year budget at a time when the state is facing massive deficits.

"With (COVID-19), we have seen the best in people, our community and state government, but it has also revealed some significant weak spots in our state safety net, nursing home safety, and the processing of unemployment claims, which we need to address in the new session as we develop a new state budget," said Howard, who will be sworn in on Jan. 6, 2021.