News-Record.com

Greensboro State Sen. Kay Hagan gave up her position as co-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee today.

She will, according to the Senate President Pro Temp's office, remain in an "advisory capacity," although the exact title and role has yet to be fleshed out.

Leaving the same post is Sen. Walter Dalton, of Rutherford County.

Dalton is the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, Hagan is running for the U.S. Senate against Elizabeth Dole.

Hagan's appointment to the budget post in 2003 marked an ascendancy in influence for not only her, but the Guilford County delegation as a whole. Until then, the county and Triad delegations had a reputation as a mid-level crew overshadowed by more powerful groups from Charlotte and down east.

(Oddly enough: Replacing Hagan and Dalton will be Sen. Charlie Albertson, from Duplin County in the east, and Charles Dannelly from Charlotte.)

But today, in addition to Hagan, two House members - Reps. Alma Adams and Maggie Jeffus - from Guilford County sit on the House appropriations committee, a Senator - Katie Dorsett - is the Democratic whip in her chamber, and at least two other fairly junior legislators - Reps. Pricey Harrison and Earl Jones - can lay claim to committee chairmanships.

What this means for Hagan is a little unclear. Certainly she'll have less of the nuts and bolts work on the budget to do. Her "advisory" status probably gives her enough status to advocate for key items and license to be in the room during the highest levels of negotiations.

Hagan had already been handing off pieces of her legislative portfolio, such as the raw milk bill. But this is pretty much an indication that she's clearing her decks of most responsibilities in order to focus on the U.S. Senate race.