There's still been no announcement in the House on committee assignments or even on chairmanships, but word is starting to dribble out. Rep. Bob Nonini confirms that he'll continue to chair the House Education Committee. "I'm glad," Nonini said. He said he had lunch with Senate Finance Chairman Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, today, and discussed how JFAC wants to hold joint meetings with the House and Senate education committees this session in the Capitol Auditorium, to involve the germane committees more in policy decisions that go along with budget-setting.

Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, said he'll no longer be on JFAC, but will be moving to the House Revenue & Taxation Committee. "It is by choice," said Bayer, who made an unsuccessful run for leadership, challenging House Majority Leader Mike Moyle R-Star.

The open committee chairmanship created by the retirement of House Judiciary Chairman Jim Clark of Hayden Lake this year reportedly will go to Rep. Rich Wills, R-Glenns Ferry. He was the Ways & Means Committee chair; that's reportedly going to go to Rep. JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, the House's longest-serving member. She was the House transportation chair; that spot reportedly will go to Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls. But nothing's for sure until it's read across the desk when the House convenes, which should happen shortly. Word is that the holdup now is that the minority party still is finalizing its committee assignments, and majority leaders are holding off on announcing theirs in case the Democrats' decisions require them to make adjustments.