Senate Dems name 2009 committee chairs

By Jeremy Pelzer, PolitickerCO.com Reporter

The Colorado Senate Democrats announced chair assignments for 10 state Senate committees on Thursday and seven of the 10 appointed Senators are new to the post.

State Sens. Jim Isgar (D-Durango), Paula Sandoval (D-Denver), and Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver) are the only committee chairs who will remain in their positions for next year.

Linda Newell of Littleton was named to the Judiciary and Health, Local Government and Energy, and Health and Human Services Committees even though elections officials are still conducting a recount in her state Senate District 26 race against former state Rep. Lauri Clapp, a Centennial Republican.

*- indicates a change from the 2008 legislative session

Agriculture and Natural Resources: Chair Jim Isgar (D-Durango), Vice Chair Mary Hodge (D-Aurora), Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass Village), Dan Gibbs (D-Silverthorne)
Appropriations: Chair Abel Tapia (D-Pueblo)*, Vice Chair Moe Keller (D-Wheat Ridge), Paula Sandoval (D-Denver), Suzanne Williams, Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins), Mary Hodge
Business, Labor, and Technology: Chair Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver), Vice Chair Rollie Heath (D-Boulder), Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton), Joyce Foster (D-Denver)
Education: Chair Bob Bacon (chair)*, Vice Chair Chris Romer (D-Denver), Peter Groff (D-Denver), Evie Hudak (D-Westminster), Rollie Heath
Finance: Chair Paula Sandoval, Vice Chair Evie Hudak, Jim Isgar, Rollie Heath
Health and Human Services: Chair Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood)*, Vice Chair Lois Tochtrop, John Morse (D-Colorado Springs), Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora), Linda Newell
Judiciary: Chair John Morse*, Vice Chair Morgan Carroll, Linda Newell, Evie Hudak
Local Government and Energy: Chair Gail Schwartz *, Vice Chair Joyce Foster, Linda Newell, Mary Hodge
State, Veterans, and Military Affairs: Chair Suzanne Williams*, Vice Chair Bob Bacon, Betty Boyd
Transportation: Chair Dan Gibbs*, Vice Chair Suzanne Williams, Chris Romer, Jennifer Veiga