Sloan to lead higher ed committee

? State Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, on Tuesday was appointed chairman of the House Higher Education Committee.

âÂÂHe is a natural fit to chair this important committee,â said House Speaker-elect Doug Mays, R-Topeka.

What follows is a look at other House committee chairmen named by Mays. All are Republicans. An âÂÂxâ designates a holdover chairman from the 2001 and 2002 sessions:

⢠Agriculture: Dan Johnson, Hays (x).

⢠Appropriations: Melvin Neufeld, Ingalls.

⢠Commerce and Labor: Don Dahl, Hillsboro.

⢠Corrections and Juvenile Justice: Ward Loyd, Garden City.

⢠Economic Development: Kenny Wilk, Lansing.

⢠Education: Kathe Decker, Clay Center.

⢠Environment: Joann Freeborn, Concordia (x).

⢠Ethics and Elections: Don Myers, Derby.

⢠Federal and State Affairs: Bill Mason, El Dorado.

⢠Financial Institutions: Ray Cox, Bonner Springs (x).

⢠Health and Human Services: Jim Morrison, Colby.

⢠Insurance: Patricia Barbieri-Lightner, Overland Park.

⢠Judiciary: Mike OâÂÂNeal, Hutchinson (x).

⢠Local Government: Jene Vickrey, Louisburg.

⢠Parks and Tourism: Becky Hutchins, Holton.

⢠Rules and Journal: Tim Owens, Overland Park.

⢠Taxation: John Edmonds, Great Bend (x).

⢠Transportation: Gary Hayzlett, Lakin (x).

⢠Utilities: Carl Dean Holmes, Liberal (x).