By JAN GRIFFEY/Editor

COLUMBIANA — Shelby County’s legislative delegation has emerged as a powerful group in Montgomery, based on recently announced committee assignments.
State Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner, R-Birmingham, whose 16th district includes part of Shelby County, will be majority leader when the legislature convenes on March 1, said State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster.
“We were in the minority for a couple of decades,” Ward said. “We had a say in things, but nothing like what we will have.”
Ward, who prior to his election in November served for eight years in the Alabama Statehouse, will serve on the finance and taxation, confirmations, health, business and labor, and local legislation committees and will co-chair the Senate’s judiciary, and energy and natural resources committees.
State Sen. Slade Blackwell, R-Birmingham, is the incoming representative of State Senate District 15, which includes Shelby County.
Blackwell has been assigned to the education finance and taxation, confirmations, education, health and local legislation committees and will chair the banking and insurance committee and will be vice chair of the job creation and economic development committee.
In the statehouse, Mary Sue McClurkin, R-Indiana Springs, who represents District 43, will be vice chair of the education ways and means committee and will chair the education policy committee.
State Rep. Mike Hill, R-Columbiana, who represents District 41, will be chairman of the insurance committee and vice chair of the state government committee.
State Rep. Jim McClendon, R-St. Clair Springs, represents District 50. He will serve on the state government committee, will be vice chair of the technology and research committee and will be chair of the health committee.
State Rep. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, a newcomer to the statehouse, will serve on the health and education policy committees.
State Rep. Greg Canfield, R-Vestavia Hills, represents District 48. He will serve as chair of the commerce and small business and insurance committees.
State Rep. Kurt Wallace, R-Maplesville, represents District 42. He will serve on the commerce and small business and transportation, utilities and infrastructure committees.
Ward said the committee assignments will go a long way toward protecting Shelby County interests. He said the delegation is making a concerted effort to meet and discuss issues.
Committee meetings happen on Wednesday when the legislature is in session in Montgomery, Ward said.
“The Shelby County delegation will be spread to the winds on Wednesdays,” he said.