Rep. Martin loses VA committee post

Republican House Speaker Bill Batchelder has removed Republican representative Jarrod Martin from his job as chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Martin will be replaced by Republican Representative Terry Johnson. Lawmakers like to chair committees because it not only gives them some power but also gives them 65 hundred dollars extra a year in their paychecks. While no reason was given for taking that post away from Martin, his resignation has been sought by Batchelder in recent weeks since it came to light that Martin, a Southwest Ohio representative, was arrested for drunken driving and child endangerment in July. Martin has said he plans to vindicate himself in court.