photo by: Journal-World File Photos

From left, Rep. Barbara Ballard, Rep. Eileen Horn and Rep. Dennis “Boog” Highberger are pictured at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka.

Updated at 4:15 p.m. Friday

Two local lawmakers will again serve as the highest-ranking Democratic leaders of Kansas House of Representatives committees during the 2019 legislative session, and another will serve on a newly created committee focusing on rural issues.

Democratic state Reps. Barbara Ballard and Dennis “Boog” Highberger, both of Lawrence, will serve as ranking minority leaders for the social services budget committee and the corrections and juvenile justice committee, respectively.

House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., R-Olathe, announced the committee assignments for the Kansas House of Representatives on Thursday evening. Both Ballard and Highberger served in the same positions during the 2018 legislative session.

Along with her leadership position, Ballard will continue to serve on the appropriations committee and transportation committee. Highberger will also continue to serve on the federal and state affairs committee and the judiciary committee.

Joining Highberger on the federal and state affairs committee is state Rep. Jim Karleskint, R-Tonganoxie, who will also serve on the education and agriculture committees.

In new committee assignments, Rep. Eileen Horn, D-Lawrence, will serve on the newly created rural revitalization committee. The new assignment replaces her service on the federal and state affairs committee.

In his announcement of the assignments, Ryckman said the creation of the committee will allow the state government to make the revitalization of Kansas’ rural areas a priority, according to a news release.

“Our rural communities have fought through a series of challenges over the years — everything from declining population to broadband (internet) access,” said Ryckman, who grew up in Meade in western Kansas. “What we’re doing is the first attempt of this size and scope to focus on those challenges, and to make sure our rural communities get a fair shake.”

Horn will continue to serve on the health and human services committee and the agriculture committee.

Legislative newcomer Rep. Mike Amyx, D-Lawrence, will serve on the local government committee and the general government budget committee.

Amyx was likely chosen for the local government committee because of his 22 years of experience serving on the Lawrence City Commission, including six terms as mayor, and on the Douglas County Commission.

In the other legislative chamber, Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, announced committee assignments Friday afternoon.

State Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, will serve on the federal and state affairs committee rather than the taxation and assessment committee, which she served on in 2018. She will continue to serve on the utilities committee and as the ranking minority leader for the agriculture and natural resources committee.

State Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, will continue to serve as the ranking minority leader for both the taxation and assessment committee and the commerce committee.