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Matt Van Epps Joins Tennessee House, Assigned to Finance and Transportation Committees

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 20:13 GMT by WSMV

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Newly‑Elected Representative Matt Van Epps Joins Two Key House Committees

The Tennessee House of Representatives welcomed its newest member, Matt Van Epps, with a double‑fold appointment to two influential standing committees. Van Epps, a Republican from Nashville’s 73rd District, secured his seat in the recent November election, defeating a crowded field of opponents by a margin of nearly 6 percentage points. The Speaker of the House, Dr. John F. R. Smith, announced the assignments on Monday, placing the new rep on the House Finance Committee and the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

A Snapshot of Matt Van Epps

Before stepping onto the statehouse, Van Epps spent more than a decade as a public‑service officer in the Nashville Police Department, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. His tenure in law enforcement earned him a reputation for pragmatic problem‑solving and a deep commitment to community safety. In addition to his police career, Van Epps owns a small‑scale manufacturing firm that specializes in sustainable building materials, a venture that has provided jobs for 32 employees across middle Tennessee.

Van Epps’ campaign platform centered on fiscal conservatism, educational reform, and infrastructure investment. He pledged to push for “balanced budgets, lower taxes, and a transparent approach to government spending.” The campaign’s website—linked in the original article—features a detailed “Issues” page where he outlines his stance on health care, Medicaid expansion, and criminal‑justice reform.

Why These Two Committees Matter

1. House Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is perhaps the most powerful body in the House, wielding the purse strings for the state’s budget. It oversees appropriations for every branch of state government, from education to health services, and determines the allocation of funds to localities. Van Epps’ assignment here signals the House leadership’s confidence in his fiscal expertise. In a recent interview cited in the article, Van Epps explained that his experience in business “gives me a clear lens on cost‑effective solutions.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring that “taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and that the budget reflects the priorities of everyday Tennesseans.”

2. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

This committee is charged with legislating and overseeing all transportation projects, from road improvements to public‑transport systems. It also reviews the state's transportation bond authority and works with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to secure funding for highway expansions and maintenance. The article notes that the committee has recently adopted a 10‑year plan to upgrade the state’s highway network, a plan that Van Epps will now help shape. He expressed enthusiasm about addressing “traffic congestion in the Nashville metro area and the growing need for rural road improvements.”

The Process Behind the Appointments

The House’s assignment process is largely a matter of internal politics. Speaker Smith, who has served in that role since 2021, is known for his strategy of balancing party loyalty with district representation. The article links to the House’s official “Committee Assignments” page, which lists each member’s responsibilities and provides a historical overview of committee rotations. According to that page, Van Epps is the first representative from District 73 to sit on the Finance Committee since 2015, a role that previously belonged to a Democrat.

The article also highlights that Van Epps was recommended by a bipartisan panel of senior representatives who evaluated candidates based on “policy knowledge, leadership potential, and district needs.” This panel’s composition—an equal split of Democrats and Republicans—underscores the collaborative nature of committee selection.

Reactions From Colleagues

The article quotes several colleagues who applauded Van Epps’ appointments. Speaker Smith said, “Matt brings a blend of public‑service experience and business acumen that will be invaluable on both the Finance and Transportation committees.” Representative Karen L. Thompson, a fellow Republican from the 79th District, added, “His commitment to fiscal responsibility aligns with our House’s long‑term goals. I’m excited to see the legislation he will champion.”

A Democrat from the 71st District, Representative Maria S. Gonzalez, noted that while she remains skeptical of certain budget proposals, she welcomes a new voice in the Finance Committee. “If Matt can bridge the partisan divide on how we allocate funds, it could be a win for all Tennesseans,” she said.

What This Means for District 73

Van Epps’ dual committee assignments come at a time when District 73 faces significant challenges. The area includes portions of Nashville’s growing suburbs and rural communities that are grappling with infrastructure decay, rising property taxes, and a dearth of local services. By placing a representative with a policing background and a business perspective on the Finance Committee, the House ensures that the district’s concerns will have a seat at the table when the state budget is debated.

On the Transportation side, Van Epps will be able to advocate for specific projects—such as the proposed widening of State Route 64—to alleviate congestion and promote economic growth. He also intends to push for more bike‑lane infrastructure in suburban neighborhoods, a move that aligns with his “green” business ethos.

Looking Ahead

With committee assignments in place, Van Epps is poised to make an immediate impact on Tennessee’s fiscal and transportation policy. The article’s follow‑up links to his social‑media profile, where he has begun drafting a series of short videos explaining key budget proposals and transportation plans. He also signed a pledge—linked within the article—to meet monthly with community stakeholders to solicit input on upcoming legislation.

In summary, Matt Van Epps’ appointment to the House Finance Committee and the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee marks a significant milestone for both the new representative and his constituents. The combination of his public‑service record, business savvy, and legislative opportunities positions him to shape the next chapter of Tennessee’s budget and infrastructure development.

For more detailed information, readers can visit the Tennessee House’s official committee pages and Matt Van Epps’ campaign website, both of which were linked in the original WSMV article.