Republicans name Schroder new chair of State and Local Government; McDaniel, Schickel retain chairs

by Tom Latek, Kentucky Today – 

The Senate Republican Caucus has selected committee chairs for the next two years. A half dozen new faces will be at the helm, including NKY’s Sen. Wil Schroder as new chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government.

Two other NKY Senators retained their chairmanships: Chris McDaniel, Appropriations & Revenue, and John Schickel, Licensing, Occupation, & Administrative Regulations.

Sen. Ralph Alvarado, R-Winchester, has been named the new chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Health & Welfare. The Committee’s former chairwoman, Senator Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville), relinquished her chairmanship when she was elected to Senate Leadership earlier this month as the Majority Caucus Chair.

Sen. Jared Carpenter, R-Berea, has been named the new chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance, replacing Tom Buford of Nicholasville.

Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, has been named the new chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy.

Sen. Wil Schroder, R-Wilder, has been named the new chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government. Current chair Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, did not seek re-election this year.

Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, has been named the new chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor. He replaces Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington.

A newcomer to the chamber, Senator-elect Robby Mills, R-Henderson, has been named the new chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Enrollment, replacing Schroder.

The committees where the chairs are unchanged include:

–Agriculture: Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville

–Appropriations & Revenue: Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill

–Committee on Committees: Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester

–Education: Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville

–Judiciary: Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton

–Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations: Sen. John Schickel, R-Union

–Transportation: Sen. Ernie Harris, R-Prospect

–Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection: Sen. Albert Robinson, R-London

The Senate Committee on Committees will officially confirm these new chairmanships, when lawmakers convene for the Organizational Session on Jan. 8 in Frankfort.