Lt. gov. candidate named Senate budget chairman

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A northern Kentucky state senator running for lieutenant governor is the new chairman of a powerful committee in charge of spending the state’s $9 billion budget.

Republican Sen. Chris McDaniel of Taylor Mill was named chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee on Monday. He will replace outgoing Sen. Bob Leeper, who retired this year. Republican state Sen. Stan Humphries of Cadiz is the committee’s new vice chairman.

McDaniel might not get to write a state budget. Lawmakers won’t craft another budget until 2016. McDaniel is the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate James Comer. If he wins, McDaniel would resign his Senate seat to become lieutenant governor in 2016.

McDaniel said he is honored to be named chairman and will work to address the state’s long-term debt.

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