State Rep. Steve Precourt made is official Thursday: he's leaving the Florida House to become director of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority.

Our partners at the Orlando Business Journal reported Precourt announced his resignation Thursday.

"I am grateful to have worked alongside such esteemed men and women," Precourt said in a prepared statement. "Working to establish fiscally conservative policies, reinforcing limited government, protecting the unborn, and standing for religious freedom were some of my proudest moments."

Precourt has been in the Florida House since 2007. He is currently House Majority Leader.

Precourt will take over the agency that oversees State Road 528 (the Beachline), State Road 408, and the Orange County portions of State Road 417 and State Road 429.

The appointment comes after the previous director, Max Crumit, was ousted in September. The surprise move came after Crumit received a glowing review for his efforts to right the agency from previous scandals.

It also prompted an investigation by the State Attorney's Office on allegations the vote was pre-arranged in violation of open meeting laws.

Gov. Scott must call a special election to replace Precourt, which could happen in the next few months.