Bosma names Dermody new public policy chairman

Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, is the new chairman of the Indiana House Public Policy Committee.

House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, appointed him to the influential post Wednesday.

Dermody, a Republican from LaPorte, will replace Jim Davis, who left the Legislature to become the director of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

“Tom is a man of integrity and I am confident that he is right person for this job,” Bosma said in a prepared statement. “Tom has exhibited strength in leadership, both in his role as the assistant majority floor leader and as the chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.”

Bosma said that as the chairman of the Public Policy Committee, Dermody “will deal with tough issues. I have total confidence that Tom will carry out the duties of his new responsibility with honor and fairness.”

The committee tackles issues related to gambling, alcohol, abortion and guns.

Dermody said he was honored by the appointment.

“Like my colleague, Rep. Bill Davis, before me, I will work to find common ground on important public policy issues affecting our state,” Dermody said in a prepared statement. “I am eager to serve in this new capacity in order to affect policies that will impact and significantly benefit the lives of all Hoosiers.”

Dermondy was elected to the legislature in 2006.