INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana state Sen. Ryan Mishler has been named the new chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Appropriations.

GOP Senate leader David Long announced Monday that the Bremen Republican will take over for longtime chairman Luke Kenley, who is stepping down.

Mishler has been a ranking member of the committee for five years. He also chairs a school funding subcommittee.

Kenley had served as appropriations chairman since 2009 and was re-elected to a new term in November. He abruptly announced his retirement from the Legislature this month. It takes effect at the end of September.

Long says Mishler’s work developing the state’s school funding formula has demonstrated he has “the acumen, skills and temperament” needed to take on the difficult position.