By RONNIE ELLIS
CNHI News Service
FRANKFORT
January 09, 2009 04:15 pm
—
After the winners and losers in committee assignments were announced in the House on Friday morning, both sides had the same reaction.
“It’s part of the process,” said Rep. Harry Moberly, D-Richmond, after Rick Rand, D-Bedford, replaced him as chairman of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, a post Moberly held for 14 years.
Moberly supported long-time Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, who was unable to fend off a challenge by Rep. Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg. Moberly wasn’t the only Richards supporter to lose a committee chairmanship. In all, Stumbo and his leadership team of Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, D-Okolona, Majority Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook; Whip John Will Stacy, D-West Liberty, and Caucus Chairman Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, named six new chairs.
They are Rand; Carl Rollins of Midway (Education): Jeff Greer of Brandenburg (Banking and Insurance); John Tilley of Hopkinsville (Judiciary); Rick Nelson of Middlesboro (Labor and Industry); and Dennis Keane of Wilder (Licensing and Occupations). Moberly will remain on A&R as a vice chair.
Rep. Don Pasley, D-Winchester, was replaced by Sannie Overly, D-Paris, as chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation. Stumbo said those like Moberly and Pasley who lost posts were good chairs.
“None of these replacements were done because of any type of action or inability to perform their duties,” Stumbo said. “These were political decisions that were made collectively setting forth a theme of change.” He noted Overly is a trained engineer and attorney who once worked in the Transportation Cabinet. “She is extremely well qualified for that job.”
Both Moberly and Stumbo said they had a “very good” conversation Thursday night, and Moberly was not surprised to lose his A&R chairman’s post.
“I was expecting it,” Moberly said. “It’s a natural consequence of the process when you support the other candidate in the Speaker’s race.” He noted he first became chairman after supporting Richards’ move to replace Joe Clarke as Speaker in 1995.
Moberly said Rand is a friend and qualified for the position and Moberly has offered his assistance on the committee.
“We’re all going to need to cooperate and stick together because we have the most difficult times I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” Moberly said, referring to the $456 million estimated revenue shortfall lawmakers must deal with in the 30-day session.
Stumbo – like his counterpart in the Senate, President David Williams, R-Burkesville – said budget committees and leaders of the two chambers will use the scheduled three-week interim between Friday and Feb. 3 to gather information on the fiscal situation, Gov. Steve Beshear’s proposals to deal with the shortfall, and whatever economic stimulus package Congress enacts. He expects both chambers to focus first on expenditures.
But they’re looking for new revenue, too. Beshear wants to increase the cigarette tax. Friday, Stumbo filed a bill to allow slot machines at race tracks, something he believes can produce up to $700 million annually and does not require a constitutional amendment.
As for the general mood of the House following the changes in leadership and committee chairmanships, public reaction ranged from acceptance to pleasure.
“Time will tell,” said Rep. Charlie Miller, D-Louisville. “But everyone seems happy with their assignments. From what I observe, they seem to be in a positive mood.”
Williamsburg Republican Charlie Siler said he thinks the changes have produced “an improved atmosphere. I’m confident it will last.”
Some Richards supporters had little to say, indicating they aren’t pleased, but others were encouraged.
“Stumbo honored those who supported him and he had mercy on those who didn’t,” said Glasgow Democrat Johnny Bell who supported Richards. He said he was impressed with how Stumbo had dealt with those who supported his opponent.
Minority Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown, made a brief floor speech Friday, commending Stumbo and his team for their inclusion of Republicans on committee assignments, saying he hoped it was a “first step as we move forward to address the problems in this state.”
That heavy lifting begins next week when they start work on the budget fix.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com.
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