One of the most influential and powerful positions in Kentucky government is the Secretary of Transportation. This is because they have incredible input as to road and bridge projects that total into the billions of dollars every year. Now, top Republicans in the Senate are proposing a bill to take away appointment power from the governor and put it in the hands of a nine-member board. It would be comprised of members of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Association of Counties, and the Kentucky League of Cities. Sen. Jimmy Higdon said the measure would insulate the cabinet and road construction spending from politics. Politics has always been a part of road maintenance and construction, but the new proposal appears to be one way to minimize political considerations.