JACKSON – Perhaps the biggest surprise of the committee appointments
made Friday by new Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant was Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory,
as chair of the Public Health and Welfare Committee.
Public Health is considered one of the Senate’s major committees – falling short of only Finance and Appropriations.
Decisions are made by Public Health that affect billions in taxpayer dollars.
Through the years Bryan has been one of the most vocal critics of Gov. Haley Barbour and the new lieutenant governor is considered a staunch ally of the governor.
But Bryant apparently listened to members of the Senate – both Republicans and Democrats – who could attest to Bryan’s intelligence and competence.
Bryan is at times highly strung and has more quirks than even the average senator, but his knowledge, communication skills and problem-solving abilities have never been questioned.
Plus, despite his disagreements with the administration of former Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, she often turned to Bryan on key issues where he always was a team player.
Those issues included both congressional and legislative redistricting and her tax swap proposal to lower the grocery tax and increase the cigarette tax.
Plus, Bryan always has worked well with Sen. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, who it appears will be a major player in the Bryant administration.
More coverage from Bobby Harrison in Jackson …
Click here for Nunnelee to chair top Senate committee and NeMiss senators – committee assignments.
