by Kevin Wheatley, @KWheatley_cn2 –

FRANKFORT — The chairman of a House committee investigating the delay of an $11 million road project in Jessamine County has resigned after he says House Speaker Greg Stumbo denied his request to subpoena a Democratic lawmaker who accused Gov. Matt Bevin of retaliating against him.

Rep. Jim Wayne, D-Louisville, submitted his resignation during a meeting Thursday, saying Rep. Russell Meyer, D-Nicholasville, ignored a letter requesting testimony under oath last week.

When he wanted to subpoena Meyer on Nov. 30 because “his was the most severe accusation against the governor,” Wayne said Stumbo’s chief of staff ordered House Clerk Jean Burgin “not to issue the subpoena” within minutes of it being drafted.

“The speaker affirmed to me his decision not to support our decision to subpoena Rep. Meyer,” Wayne said. “I undertook this assignment with the understanding the inquiry was to be independent, thorough, objective and fair. I was also given the assurance by the speaker that my request for independent counsel and subpoena power would be available to properly carry out our serious responsibility.

“… It now appears the speaker’s granting of the committee’s power to subpoena witnesses was conditional, making our efforts to arrive at the truth regarding charges against the governor impossible.”

Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, moved to disband the investigatory panel, but without a quorum, that decision will rest with the next chairman, if one is appointed.

Meyer, in a phone interview with Pure Politics, said he had been busy in the aftermath of this year’s elections and just returned from vacation. He said he spoke with Wayne a “couple weeks ago” and told him he was “covered up” after the election.

He chalked it up to a possible “miscommunication” and said his “story has been out there.”

“Really and truly I haven’t had time to come down to testify,” Meyer said. “There’s been no time to do that, but you know, when time presents itself I can talk to him, then that’s fine. No problem. I don’t have any problem with it at all.”

Meyer has accused Bevin of retaliating against him for declining to join the Republican Party by delaying an $11 million road project in his district.

Bevin spokeswoman Amanda Stamper directed a request for comment to tweets from Bevin after the meeting.

Governor Matt Bevin on Twitter:

@GovMattBevin: Kangaroo court assembled by @SpeakerStumbo too incompetent to even disband themselves but sure love the extra $$ they take from taxpayers (9:51AM – 8 Dec 2016)

Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, has called a press conference for noon Thursday.

This report will be updated.