BATON ROUGE - Two New Orleans area lawmakers have been chosen to lead the House committees that will be essential to deciding the fate of Gov. John Bel Edwards' budget and tax proposals.

House Speaker Taylor Barras posted his committee assignments online Thursday.

Republican Rep. Cameron Henry of Metairie was named chairman of the Appropriations Committee, which crafts the state's budget.

Democratic Rep. Neil Abramson of New Orleans was chosen chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax legislation. Abramson was the only Democrat to vote for Barras as speaker.

The two money committees will be the first stops for Edwards' proposals to rebalance Louisiana's budget. Edwards wants to raise taxes to avoid deep cuts.

Of the 16 House standing committees, 12 will be chaired by Republicans and 4 by Democrats.