Rep. John Robinson, a second-term Republican legislator from Raymond, has been appointed to the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, known as the gatekeeper for the state’s finances.

Rep. Robinson’s House District 103 includes Frye Island, Raymond, and parts of Poland and Standish.

“I’m honored to be appointed to a seat on the Appropriations Committee,” he said. “It is an important committee that does significant work for the people of Maine. I promise to be a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility.”

All House Republican committee assignments were made by Rep. Joshua Tardy, of Newport, the new leader of the House GOP caucus, and Rep. Robert Crosthwaite, of Ellsworth, the new assistant leader.

The joint standing committees are central to the legislative process. Any bill submitted – 2,436 so far – is referred to whichever of the 17 committees has jurisdiction over the subject matter. The committees hold public hearings on legislation, conduct work sessions on each bill assigned, negotiate amendments and vote on the legislation before it goes to the House and Senate. Each joint committee has 13 members – three senators and 10 representatives.

The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee is pivotal to legislative proceedings. It negotiates the state budget, handles bond issues that go to Maine voters for approval and has jurisdiction over general fiscal policy.

Robinson is currently the president of his family-run business and holds a degree in industrial engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in Troy, N.Y. During his first session in the legislature, Rep. Robinson served on the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee.