FRANKFORT, KY (2/3/12) – State Senator Jerry P. Rhoads, D-Madisonville, was elected chairman of the Western Kentucky Caucus Wednesday, Feb. 1 by the group of state senators and representatives from Western Kentucky. State Representative Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, was elected vice chair.
Senator Rhoads said this group of 35 legislators, the largest of the legislature's regional caucuses, is composed of lawmakers west of I-65 who come together primarily for members to focus on common issues that are distinctive to Western Kentucky.
During the 2012 Legislative Session, Senator Rhoads said the group will focus on highway infrastructure, energy research and tourism.
Past accomplishments of the caucus have included work on I-69; the US 60 widening project from Henderson to Paducah; the US 68/KY 80 expansion from Bowling Green to Murray, including the twin bridges across Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake; and removal of tolls from the parkway system in Western Kentucky.
"I'm honored to be elected by my colleagues," said Senator Rhoads. "It's an opportunity for us to focus on common issues that will allow us to bring further economic development to Western Kentucky. By combining our vision and our efforts into these projects, we can help open doors for improvements in the quality of life for Western Kentucky.”
Representative Mike Cherry, D-Princeton, who is retiring at the end of this year, was last year’s chair of the Western Kentucky Caucus.
Senator Rhoads currently represents the 6th senatorial district, which includes Hopkins, Henderson, McLean and Webster counties and he previously represented the former 6th district, which was comprised of Hopkins, Muhlenberg and Ohio counties. Representative Richards represents the 20th house district, which includes Warren County.
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Information provided by Leslie Caudill
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