The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Editorial, 1/14/8
One Northeast Mississippi senator lost a major committee chairmanship on Friday, but another gained it back.
Overall, the region’s delegation fared well in new Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant’s assignments for the next four years.
Sen. Jack Gordon, D-Okolona, wasn’t reappointed to the Appropriations Committee chairmanship he’s held the last eight years – which wasn’t a surprise, given Bryant’s known preferences for a Republican in that key slot – but Sen. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, will be his successor. Nunnelee chaired the Public Health Committee the last four years, and led the Senate effort to overhaul the board and leadership of the state Department of Health.
In a bipartisan move, Bryant appointed Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, to replace Nunnelee as chairman of Public Health. Bryan, now in his seventh term, is one of the Senate’s smartest and most able members and has a deep interest in health care, a vitally important area on so many fronts in Mississippi.
Magnolia Tribune
