North Idaho Sen. Keough in line for JFAC co-chairmanship
North Idaho Sen. Shawn Keough is in line to become the first-ever female Senate co-chair of the Idaho Legislature’s powerful joint budget committee, and if she gets the post, it would mark another historic first: Both co-chairs of the powerful joint committee that writes the state budget next year would be women. House Appropriations Chair Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, has served as the House co-chair since 2001.
On Friday, Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, was appointed to be the next director of the state Department of Insurance by Gov. Butch Otter; he’ll step down from the Senate when he takes on his new job in mid-June. Already, he’s strongly and enthusiastically recommended Keough as his successor; she’s served as his vice-chair since 2005.
“I could not have asked for a better vice chairman,” Cameron said Monday. “We’ve been through a lot of tough times. She and I think a lot alike – we both support education, we both feel very strongly on trying to make sure that our teachers are paid for and that there are appropriate programs that have to be funded.” He added, “She hasn’t sough the limelight or been out in front much, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t doing the work – she certainly was.”
Cameron welcomed the prospect of two women heading the Legislature’s most powerful committee. “I think it’s great – I think we stand back and watch,” he said. “I think they will both do a great job. They’re outstanding individuals.”
Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, on Friday asked Keough to step in as acting chairman as soon as Cameron departs. “That’s the only commitment I’ve made at this point,” he said Monday. “We’ll wait until closer to the legislative session to actually appoint a replacement for Dean.” Keough has more seniority on the joint budget committee than any other senator; Sen. Steve Bair, R-Blackfoot, is seven years her junior in seniority and currently chairs the Senate Resources Committee. Third in line by seniority is Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, the Senate Education Committee chair. You can read my full story here at spokesman.com.
