As Chair of the House Transportation Committee, a key leadership position, Byrnes focuses on the development of Michigan's mass transit systems and improvement of our infrastructure. She also is a member of the Regulatory Reform Committee and the Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee.
As a member of the House Committee on New Economy and Quality of Life, Byrnes is working to promote job growth by attracting and nurturing high tech businesses to Michigan. She also was recently appointed to the Biosciences Subcommittee which will focus on helping grow the bioscience industry in Michigan. Additionally, Byrnes is the former Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, and continues to be an advocate for education and preparing our kids for the 21st century global economy.
Speaker Pro Tempore Byrnes supports small businesses and believes the state should do all it can to encourage entreupneurship and innovation. Her previous service as President of the Ypsilanti Central Business Community reflects this commitment to attracting businesses to the Washtenaw County area. She understands that investing in our infrastructure is paramount to growing a positive business environment conducive to attracting the high-tech jobs of the future.
Before joining the House in 2004, Byrnes served on the Washtenaw County Road Commission in 2000, becoming the first female road commissioner in Washtenaw County. As an outgrowth of her long-standing involvement in the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, Byrnes founded the Western Washtenaw Democratic Club and served as its first Chair. She is an active member of several local Chambers of Commerce, and was a board member with the Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce where she was active with that chamber's Women's Council.
Pam and her husband, Kent Brown, enjoy living on a small farm in Lyndon Township. Pam and Kent have two daughters, Katie and Jodie, and two grandsons.