Saturday, January 09, 1999

N.Ky. has mixed success in legislative panels

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BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        FRANKFORT — Northern Kentucky lawmakers got mixed results Friday in efforts to land coveted legislative committee assignments on the last day of the General Assembly's organizational session.

        The region was given four spots — including three vice chairmanships — on the House Education Committee, which deals with the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA).

        And Senate Republicans from Northern Kentucky were put on the Senate Judiciary and Health and Welfare committees, which deal with abortion-related legislation.

        But the Senate's four Republicans from Northern Kentucky were kept off the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, the panel that deals with budget and spending. There are no Democrats from Northern Kentucky in the Senate.

        Still, lawmakers such as Sen. Katie Stine, R-Fort Thomas, said they were happy with their committee assignments.

        Mrs. Stine, a two-term House member elected to the Senate in November, was named vice chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and chairwoman of the subcommittee on families and chil dren, a part of the Health and Welfare Committee that will focus on health care issues for children and implementation of the federal Welfare Reform Act.

        She also landed seats on the Economic Development and Labor and Health and Welfare committees.

        “As a first-term senator, being named to a leadership position on the Judiciary Committee is an honor and privilege,” Mrs. Stine said. “The Judiciary Committee sets the framework for Kentucky's system of crime and punishment.”

        In the House, three Northern Kentucky members were named vice chairmen of the Education Committee: Rep. Jon Draud, R-Crestview Hills, the former superintendent of the Ludlow schools; Rep. Charlie Walton, R-Florence, a teacher in the Boone County school system; and Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington.

        Rep. Tom Kerr, D-Taylor Mill, was also put on the Education Committee.

        Mr. Kerr, the longest-serving lawmaker in the Northern Kentucky caucus, also will be chairman of the Tourism, Development and Energy Committee.

        Two Northern Kentuckians retained their seats on the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee: Democratic Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, and Rep. Royce Adams, D-Dry Ridge.

        Mr. Adams, a Grant County farmer and business owner, was also named vice chairman of the House Agriculture and Small Business Committee.

        The legislature's organizational session is held for one week in January every two years so new members can be sworn in, party leaders can be elected and leaders can hand out committee assignments.

        Here are the other committees to which Northern Kentucky lawmakers were assigned:

        • House Agriculture and Small Business: Rep. Tom McKee, D-Cynthiana.

        • House Tourism, Development and Energy: Mr. Walton, Mr. Adams and Mr. McKee, who was named vice chairman.

        • House State Government: Rep. Paul Marcotte, R-Union, vice chairman; Rep. Jon David Reinhardt, R-Alexandria; and Mr. Callahan.

        • House Local Government: Mr. McKee, vice chairman; Mr. Callahan; and Mr. Draud.

        • House Rules: Mr. Callahan and Mr. Kerr.

        • House Judiciary: Mr. Kerr.

        • House Health and Welfare: Mr. Simpson.

        • House Licensing and Occupations: Mr. Jon David Reinhardt, vice chairman; and Mr. Marcotte.

        • House Transportation: Mr. Marcotte.

        • House Banking and Insurance: Mr. Simpson.

        • House Economic Development: Mr. Walton.

        • Senate Education: Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Erlanger.

        • Senate Health and Welfare: Sen. Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park; and Mrs. Stine.

        • Senate Judiciary: Mr. Westwood and Mrs. Stine.

        • Senate Licensing and Occupations: Mr. Roeding.

        • Senate State and Local Government: Sen. Ernie Harris, R-Crestwood.

        • Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources: Mr. Harris, vice chairman.

        • Senate Economic Development and Labor: Mr. Roeding and Mrs. Stine.

        • Senate Banking and Insurance: Mr. Harris and Mr. Roeding.

       

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