can spend more time working on the state’s budget as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Geymann — one of the most outspoken fiscal conservatives during this year’s session — said he started thinking about leaving

the committee before the session ended.

“I wanted to make myself more available

to work on (the budget) because it’s the biggest priority in the

state,” he said.

“Moving forward, I see the budget issue becoming more complex.

It’s going to require more research and information gathering

than we did last year.”

Geymann said he is also giving up his

apartment in the Pentagon Complex in Baton Rouge, where some lawmakers

stay during the

session. “I just wanted to make it crystal clear that it’s not

about the perks,” he said. “I want to resolve the budget issue.”

Geymann shares a desk in the House

chamber with Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City, who recently lost his position

as vice chairman

of the Natural Resources Committee. The two criticized lawmakers’

approval of using one-time money to pay for recurring expenses.

House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, appointed Rep. Stuart Bishop, R-Lafayette, to replace Morris as vice chairman.

Geymann said he will spend the next few months working with other fiscal conservatives on reforming the state’s budget. “We

made a lot of progress this session; we’re not going away,” he said. “We’re very determined as a group to get this done.”