RISING STARS AS SENATE PICKS NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

• Author: Campbell, Colin

Senate leader Phil Berger's committee assignments for this year's session didn't include many surprises as most key senators are returning to the same roles as last year.

But a few new assignments suggest these senators are rising stars in the chamber this session.

1. Sen. Michael Lee, R-New Hanover, will become an appropriations co-chair, replacing Sen. Kathy Harrington. It may be a reward for Lee, whose close election victory helped deliver a supermajority for the GOP.

2. Sen. Jim Perry, R-Lenoir, will become co-chair of the Finance Committee, replacing Sen. Warren Daniel, R-Burke, who's moving over to co-chair the Judiciary Committee. Daniel will also serve as a vice chair for Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon.

3. Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Macon and one of the...