Policy

Arizona’s freshman chairman

34-year-old Matt Gress entered the Capitol with more experience than most incoming legislators.
Arizona Rep. Matt Gress (R). (Courtesy of the Matt Gress campaign)

When freshman Arizona Rep. Matt Gress (R) arrived for his first legislative session this year, he didn’t need much of a freshman orientation. Gress, 34, had served as a staffer on the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and as former Gov. Doug Ducey’s (R) budget director.

While most freshmen spend their rookie sessions learning the ropes, Gress dove into the deep end. Speaker Ben Toma (R) named Gress chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Budgetary Funding Formulas, a rare honor for a newbie.

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