Posted on Tue, Dec. 05, 2006

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House holding 2-day session

Members will elect speaker, who will appoint committee members, leaders

By AARON GOULD SHEININ

asheinin@thestate.com

Half of the State House will be buzzing for two days this week as 124 new or re-elected House members descend on Columbia for their organizational session.

State Rep. Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, is looking forward to at least one aspect of the week.

“I hope to get re-elected speaker,” Harrell said, laughing. “On a personal note, that’s one of the reasons it’s important. I think I have the votes lined up.”

Harrell is unlikely to face opposition and is expected to be elected to his first full term as speaker. He was first elected in 2005 after state Rep. David Wilkins, R-Greenville, resigned to become U.S. ambassador to Canada.

The two-day session is important for other reasons. Chief among them:

• At least three lawmakers will be appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which crafts the state budget.

Harrell must fill those open seats next week to give the committee its full complement of 25 members — and there are at least 25 lawmakers who want those spots.

Harrell said last week he was still trying to decide whom to select.

“David Wilkins told me it was the hardest thing I would have to do, and that has proven to be true,” Harrell said. “It’s one of the few things that I’m having to do that is not fun.”

• At least one new committee chairman will be elected.

When Rep. Joe Brown, D-Richland, was defeated in the June primary, it opened up the chairmanship of the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee, known as 3-M, and left Harrell with another tough decision.

The 3-M Committee was the only panel still chaired by a Democrat after the Republicans took over the House in the ’90s. Democrats maintained the majority and control of the committee largely through Wilkins’ largess. He could have shifted more Republicans from other committees to take over 3-M, but didn’t.

Harrell said he is inclined to keep the status quo, putting Rep. Leon Howard, D-Richland, in line to be chairman. Each committee elects its chairman.

On the Democratic side, House Minority Leader Harry Ott of Calhoun said he does not plan to challenge Harrell for speaker. While that largely would be a futile endeavor given the GOP’s House majority, it’s a symbolic gesture past minority leaders often have made.

“I plan to support Bobby for speaker,” Ott said, adding he knows of no other challengers.

Ott said he will seek re-election as minority leader.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658.