Barnett

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 20, 2006 by Tim Carpenter Capital-Journal

Candidate, running mate could lose committee slots

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Republican Sen. Jim Barnett outlined his platform Thursday for the governor's race.

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A state senator requested Thursday that a front-runner for the Republican nomination for governor and his running mate be stripped of committee leadership assignments for the 2006 session.

Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, urged Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, to remove Sens. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, and Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, as leaders of two health committees.

"They're preoccupied," Haley said. "At the end of the second week of the session, and with bills lying dormant, these committees have met but once in a joint lunch briefing with the House."

Barnett is chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, while Wagle presides over the Senate Health Care Strategies Committee. They are together on a GOP ticket that seeks the nomination and a chance to oppose Democrat Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Haley is ranking minority member of both committees.

Barnett, who is a physician, said no adjustment of committee assignments was warranted. His committee will meet next week for introduction of bills.

"This is simply and purely politically motivated," Barnett said. "It may be a concern to Senator Haley because he rarely comes to our meetings and therefore he really doesn't know what is going on."

Tim Carpenter can be reached at (785) 296-3005 or tim.carpenter@cjonline.com.