Jackson Free Press

Now nearing the end of the third week of the Mississippi legislative session, House Speaker Phillip Gunn, R-Clinton, made his long-awaited announcement this morning of who's going to head up which committees in that chamber.

Gunn was less generous with awarding chairmanships to members of the opposing party than his Senate counterpart, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. Reeves gave Dems 45 percent of committee chairs, 18 out of 40.

Out of the 41 available chairmanships, Gunn picked 10 Democrats - about a quarter of the picks--which includes eight African Americans.

The list of Democrats includes:

• Agriculture:
 Preston E. Sullivan, D-Okalona
• Youth and Family Affairs:
 John W. Hines D-Greenville
• Transportation:
 Robert L. Johnson III, D-Natchez
• Municipalities:
 Edward Blackmon, Jr. D-Canton
• Local and Private Legislation:
 Joseph L. Warren, D-Mount Olive
• Investigate State Offices:
 Chuck Espy, D-Clarksdale
• Ethics:
 Joe C. Gardner, D-Batesville
• Enrolled Bills:
 Earle S. Banks, D-Jackson
• Energy:
 Angela Cockerham, D-Magnolia
• Corrections:
 George Flaggs, Jr., D-Vicksburg

Three joint committees - the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER); Compilation, Revision and Publication; and Judiciary En Banc do not have chairmen.

In the capital city area, Gunn appointed Democratic Reps. Banks of Jackson and Blackmon of Canton to chair the Enrolled Bills and Municipalities committees, respectively. In addition Rep. Rita Martinson, R-Madison, and John L. Moore, R-Brandon, will head Tourism and Education.

Gunn said that he considered regionalism, tenure and party affiliation to assemble the most capable team that will help the state move forward.

Find the full list on the Legislature's website.