INDIANAPOLIS | The new Democratic leader of the Indiana Senate has dropped Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, from a pair of committee posts that will play a key role in writing the next state budget.

Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville, announced Thursday that Sen. John Broden, D-South Bend, will replace Mrvan as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. Broden also takes over for Mrvan on the State Budget Committee, a House-Senate panel that reviews revenue forecasts and has final approval over construction projects.

"It's just a natural transition," Mrvan said, adding that he wasn't disappointed. "I made a lot of friends over the past few years and can still ask for things, especially the money for the Little Calumet flood program."

Mrvan said his top priority for the 2009 legislative session is to secure funding to complete long-stalled levee work along the Little Calumet River. The commission in charge of the two-decade-old project has yet to tell lawmakers how much is needed to finish the work.

Senate Democrats elected Simpson as their new leader earlier this month, Republicans control the chamber by a 33-17 majority.

Other Northwest Indiana appointments:

* Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, was elevated to the Appropriations Committee and will be the top Democrat on the Education Committee.

* Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, replaces Mrvan on the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee

* Mrvan was named ranking Democrat on the Elections Committee

* Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Odgen Dunes, was added to the Appropriations Committee and named ranking Democrat on the Pensions and Labor Committee