 He served as chairman of the Education Committee and a member of the Revenue committee; Committee On Committees; Developmental Disabilities Special Investigative committee; Education Commission of the States committee; Legislature's Planning Committee; and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact Commission.He became the Speaker of the Legislature in 2013 when Mike Flood retired due to term limits.As Speaker he did not serve on standing committees, but was a member of the Executive Board and several other boards within the Legislature.