A half-dozen state Senate committees can have new chairpersons heading into the 2025 session, with Democrats releasing the lineup on Thursday.
The caucus additionally outlined who will maintain different management positions and unveiled a change to the construction of the budget-writing Methods & Means Committee.
Democrats will possible have eight new Senate members come January following seven retirements and a doable pickup in the 18th Legislative District the place Democrat Adrian Cortes is main Republican Brad Benton.
“Washington voters sent a clear message this year — they want quality public schools, affordable housing and health care, a clean environment, and safe communities,” Senate Majority Chief Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, stated in a press release. “With an expanded majority, we’re ready to tackle these priorities in the 2025 legislative session.”
Pedersen was elected to his new submit earlier this month.
The Methods and Means Committee will get a brand new vice chair of finance place. Sen. Noel Body, of Seattle, will maintain that job. In her time as a legislator, Body has put an emphasis on fixing Washington’s regressive tax code, together with by pushing for the capital features tax now in impact and a wealth tax proposal that has not handed.
The committee can have two different vice chairs. Sen. Derek Stanford, of Bothell, would be the vice chair of the working price range, and Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, of Tacoma, would be the vice chair of the capital price range.
The caucus is getting some new faces in its management as properly.
Sen. Liz Lovelett, of Anacortes, will be a part of Sen. Manka Dhingra, of Redmond, as deputy majority chief. Sen.-elect Marcus Riccelli, of Spokane, will develop into the bulk ground chief, changing Pedersen.
In a press release after the vote, Riccelli stated he was trying ahead to being a voice for the Spokane space within the Democrats’ management.
“Eastern Washington needs strong voices for growing and protecting good, living-wage jobs, increasing housing access and affordability, and improving our health care system,” he stated.
The chamber may even see a brand new president professional tempore following Sen. Karen Keiser’s retirement subsequent month. Sen. Steve Conway, of Tacoma, will take over that position.
Right here’s a have a look at different management modifications hitting the caucus this yr:
Sen.-elect Jessica Bateman will take over for Insurance coverage Commissioner-elect Patty Kuderer as chair of the Housing Committee.
Sen. Claudia Kauffman is the brand new chair of the Enterprise, Monetary Providers, and Commerce Committee. Kauffman can be the management liaison to tribal nations.
Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is the brand new chair of the Labor and Commerce Committee.
Sen. Jesse Salomon would be the new chair of the Native Authorities Committee.
Sen. Sharon Shewmake would be the new chair of the Agriculture and Pure Assets Committee. Shewmake may even be the brand new assistant ground chief.
Sen. Javier Valdez is the brand new head of the State Authorities, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee.
Sen. Annette Cleveland is the brand new deputy caucus chair.