Tag Archives: Senate Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Committee

Senate Republicans announce 2011-12 committee assignments

The Senate Republican Caucus today announced its committee assignments for the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions, including ranking (lead) Republicans on the state Senate committees. They will be:

Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Ranking:  Sen. Jerome Delvin
Other members:  Sens. Mark Schoesler, Jim Honeyford and Randi Becker

Early Learning and K-12 Education Ranking:  Sen. Steve Litzow
Other members:  Sens. Curtis King and Andy Hill

Economic Development, Trade and Innovation Ranking:  Sen. Michael Baumgartner
Other members:  Sens. Joseph Zarelli, Janéa Holmquist Newbry and Don Benton

Environment, Water and Energy Ranking:  Sen. Jim Honeyford
Other members:  Sens. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, Jerome Delvin and Bob Morton

Financial Institutions, Housing and Insurance Ranking:  Sen. Don Benton
Other members:  Sens. Joe Fain and Steve Litzow

Government Operations, Tribal Relations and Elections Ranking:  Sen. Dan Swecker
Other members:  Sens. Pam Roach and Bob McCaslin

Health and Long-Term Care Ranking:  Sen. Randi Becker
Other members:  Sens. Linda Evans Parlette, Cheryl Pflug and Mike Carrell

Higher Education and Workforce Development Ranking:  Sen. Andy Hill
Other members:  Sens. Randi Becker, Michael Baumgartner and Doug Ericksen

Human Services and Corrections Ranking:  Sen. Val Stevens
Other members:  Sens. Mike Carrell and Doug Ericksen

Judiciary Ranking:  Sen. Cheryl Pflug
Other members:  Sens. Mike Carrell, Bob McCaslin and Pam Roach

Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Ranking:  Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry
Other members:  Sens. Curtis King and Mike Hewitt

Natural Resources and Marine Waters Ranking:  Sen. Bob Morton
Other members:  Sens. Val Stevens and Dan Swecker

Rules Ranking:  Sen. Mike Hewitt
Other members:  Sens. Curtis King, Val Stevens, Mark Schoesler, Linda Evans Parlette, Joseph Zarelli, Cheryl Pflug and Mike Carrell

Transportation Ranking:  Sen. Curtis King
Other members:  Sens. Joe Fain, Dan Swecker, Steve Litzow, Andy Hill, Doug Ericksen and Jerome Delvin

Ways and Means
Ranking:  Sen. Joseph Zarelli
Other members:  Sens. Jim Honeyford, Mike Hewitt, Mark Schoesler, Michael Baumgartner, Cheryl Pflug and Linda Evans Parlette

Members of Senate Republican leadership for 2011-12, announced in late November, are:

  • Leader – Sen. Mike Hewitt, Walla Walla
  • Caucus Chair – Sen. Linda Evans Partlette, Wenatchee
  • Floor Leader – Sen. Mark Schoesler, Ritzville
  • Whip – Sen.-elect Doug Ericksen, Ferndale
  • Deputy Leader – Sen. Mike Carrell, Lakewood
  • Caucus Vice Chair – Sen. Dan Swecker, Rochester
  • Deputy Floor Leader – Sen. Jim Honeyford, Sunnyside
  • Deputy Whip – Sen. Jerome Delvin, Richland

King bill to spare beekeepers from tax receives committee hearing

Sen. Curtis King this morning told the Senate Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Committee that Washington would benefit if the state’s beleaguered beekeepers could take the money they pay in state taxes and invest it in the health of their hives instead.

King, R-Yakima, is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 6468, which received a public hearing before the agriculture committee. The bipartisan measure would exempt pollination services, sales of bees and use of bees from the applicable state taxes – which amount to about a dollar per hive – and lift state restrictions on farm diesel used by beekeepers. Continue reading