Sen. Baker elected as committee chairman

LINCOLN -- State Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton won a three-way race to run the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on the opening day of the legislative session.

He defeated Sen. Nancy Thompson of Papillion and Omaha Sen. Pat Bourne.

Baker said it's the first time in a long time someone from western Nebraska has chaired the committee, and eastern interests may be some "unhappy campers."

"But I'm just one member of the committee," Baker said. He said he expects to receive gas tax proposals from Omaha and Lincoln mayors, adding that everyone will receive a fair hearing. "I plan to run a straight forward, honest committee," he said.

Baker's office was in a turmoil, with a legal staff member hired away by private industry, and the rest of the office moving to new quarters.

"But we have a good staff -- four of five of us are still here," Baker said.

He is also a member of the Rules Committee, and on the Revenue Committee, which is under intense pressure to find more money to meet the state's budget crises.

The Appropriation Committee is often in the spotlight during the legislative session, but that committee would have nothing to appropriate if the Revenue Committee didn't do its work, he said.

Lawmakers must overcome a $673 million shortfall.