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Anderson announces session
priorities, joins key House committees
Rep. Glenn Anderson,
R-Fall City, laid out his 2005 priorities today as lawmakers began a
105-day legislative session in Olympia.
“Passing a balanced,
sustainable budget will be the most important thing the Legislature will
do this year,” Anderson said. “I will also be looking for ways to
improve our K-12 education system and enact major election reforms.”
Anderson also announced
today that he will serve on three key House of Representatives
committees: Appropriations, Education and Rules.
The powerful House
Appropriations Committee considers the state’s operating budget and
other bills with a fiscal impact. As a member, Anderson will be part of
a small group that decides how the state spends its available funds.
“This year we are facing a
$1.6 billion-plus budget deficit,” Anderson said. “I believe it’s not
only possible, but essential, that we balance the next two-year budget
without raising general-fund taxes. It won’t be easy, but it’s what
citizens have said they want us to do.”
The House Education
Committee considers all legislation related to kindergarten through
twelfth grade (K-12) educational policies, as well as how education is
financed. For the past year Anderson served on a bipartisan workgroup
that studied the funding and effectiveness of Washington’s K-12
education structure. The group identified several areas that merit
reforms, including local levy lids and teachers’ compensation. Anderson
said he will work to make sure the best of that group’s recommendations
are considered and enacted.
“One of the best things I
can do for the people of the 5th District is make sure education stays
right at the top of the state’s priority list,” Anderson said. “I look
forward to supporting legislation that will serve our state’s families
by promoting excellence in our schools.”
Anderson will also serve
on the influential House Rules Committee that considers all bills
forwarded by the House’s other committees and determines whether – and
in what order – they will move forward onto the House floor for
consideration by all House members.
Finally, Anderson reiterated his desire to hear regularly from
constituents during the session. He also asked people to send him an
e-mail at Anderson.Glenn@leg.wa.gov
and sign up to receive e-mail updates throughout the session.
“I always appreciate
hearing from people around the district about how I can best represent
them in the Legislature,” Anderson said. “I also hope everyone will
consider signing up to receive e-mail updates. This type of two-way
communication is the best way for me to help people stay on top of
issues and proposed solutions that will impact our community.”
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For more information, contact:
Mike Deising, Public
Information Officer - (360) 786-7698
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