Angela Burks Hill of Picayune, District 40 State Senator-elect, said she wants a seat on the  education, agriculture and insurance committees, if possible.

Hill beat two-term State Senator Sid Albritton in the Aug. 23 Republican second primary. She took 40 percent of votes cast in Walthal and Marion counties and 60 percent of votes cast in Pearl River County to beat Albritton.

“Voters in Pearl River County gave me the edge,” she said.

Hill said she has already been to Jackson to meet some legislative staff members, but she will not be sworn in until January.

She said newly elected Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said he would not make Senate committee appointments until after the Nov. 8 General Election. “Reeves said sometime after Nov. 8, but it could be when the State Legislature convenes,” she said.

Hill is the second woman to serve in the State Senate from Pearl River Co. The other one was the late Margaret “Wootsy” Tate.

“They ask you for a prioritized list, but that’s no guarantee that you will get exactly what you want on committee assignments,” said Hill on Monday in an interview with the Item.

“You really do not have any final say over which committee you will be on, but they do take into consideration what your priorities and interests are in making the appointments,” said Hill.

Hill has been a political activist here for a long time, worked hard in congressional campaigns last year, and then filed to challenge Albritton in District 40.

Hill said her main interest is in education policy. She said during the campaign that she believed that the state’s education problems will not be solved “just by throwing money at it.” She said sound education procedures and policies should be implemented by local school boards.

Before she’s sworn in, she will be going to orientation on Dec. 6 and 7 in Jackson.

Hill said she also will look at and support some changes in the tax code to make the state’s business climate more inviting for industry and business.

“What we want is less government and less regulation,” she said.

“I want to formally thank those who helped me in the campaign. It was not easy. I will not forget who elected me and who I represent, and that is the average person who is working hard and trying to make a living,” she said.