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Armstrong chosen as GOP lead
on Appropriations Subcommittee
Wenatchee lawmaker to also serve on three other
House committees
Rep. Mike
Armstrong
has been chosen to serve as the ranking Republican on the newly created
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Audit Review. The subcommittee will consider funding of general government programs
and agencies, and will make recommendations to the House Appropriations
Committee. The subcommittee also reviews fiscal and performance audits
of state programs and agencies and makes recommendations related to the
audit findings.
Armstrong, R-Wenatchee,
said the committee is the first line of defense toward protecting
taxpayers and holding government accountable with taxpayers’ dollars.
“I’ve worked for several
years in the Legislature to adopt performance audits for state agencies.
This committee will be working a lot in this area,” said Armstrong. “We
want to make sure government is spending taxpayer dollars wisely.
Going into this session with a nearly $2 billion surplus, I think we
need to show more constraint with government spending. We should be
putting a lot of this money into a rainy day fund.”
Armstrong said he’s
encouraged that Gov. Christine Gregoire is now suggesting a rainy-day
fund – something he has long advocated.
“I’m glad that she’s
finally talking about a rainy-day fund. It’s a step in the right
direction. The proof that she is serious will come in the details of how
much of the surplus would be set aside,” said Armstrong. “More
important, let’s be truthful with the taxpayers by making sure money
set aside is actually placed into a constitutionally protected rainy-day
fund for emergencies, not future spending accounts that are promoted as
savings accounts.”
Armstrong will also serve
on three other committees during the 2007 session, which began today in
Olympia. Those include: the House State Government and Tribal Affairs
Committee, the House Transportation Committee, and the House Rules
Committee.
The State Government and
Tribal Affairs Committee considers issues relating to the processes of
government, including state agency rule-making, state government
reorganization, election laws, public disclosure, campaign reform,
ethics laws and the relationship between the state and Indian tribes.
“I anticipate we will be
dealing with many voting-related issues. People are still frustrated
with our primary election system and the fact that they have to vote a
single-party ticket,” said Armstrong. “We’ve tried a couple of times to
provide a system the voters want, only to be struck down by the courts.
I’m hoping we can try once again to come up with a primary election that
serves the voters’ needs and passes court muster.”
Armstrong, who is a former
supervisor with the Washington Department of Transportation, was also
selected to serve on the House Transportation Committee.
“We have several issues
that need attention, particularly in regards to the construction
projects that were promised in both the nickel package and the 9 ½ cent
gasoline tax package. Construction costs have increased substantially
since those agreements were made – as much as 30 percent in some cases.
We need to determine if enough money is available to complete those
projects and find ways to keep those promises. That’s going to take some
additional thinking outside of the box,” said Armstrong.
“We also need a solid,
long-range plan to adequately provide the infrastructure needed for
future growth. Some major issues face this committee, including the I-5
corridor mess, the Seattle Viaduct and the 520 floating bridge. However,
the discussion shouldn’t just center on King County,” said Armstrong.
“North Central Washington also has important transportation needs. The
Wenatchee Valley is the largest metropolitan area in the state of
Washington that is not yet connected to a four-lane highway. We need a
plan that will connect Wenatchee to I-90 with a four-lane highway. That
process needs to begin now. Being on this committee will give me an
opportunity to provide a voice of support for our local needs.”
Finally, Armstrong will
serve as an alternate voting member on the House Rules Committee. The
Rules Committee considers all policy and fiscal bills and determines
whether, and in what order, to schedule consideration on the House
floor.
“The Rules Committee
usually has short meetings, and only to pull bills to the floor of
the House for a vote. Being in the minority, it is important for the
Republican caucus to have all of the seats covered so that we have a say
in what is and is not considered,” noted Armstrong. “The alternative
position is an important one, because it is up to that member to provide
a vote when someone else on that committee is unable to attend.”
Armstrong was recently
elected to his fourth term representing the 12th Legislative District.
During the legislative session, Armstrong may be reached through his
Olympia office at (360) 786-7832 or via the toll-free legislative
hotline: 1-800-562-6000. His mailing address is: P.O. Box 40600,
Olympia, WA, 98504-0600, and his new office location is 426-A
Legislative Bldg., Olympia, WA 98504-0600.
For more information,
visit Armstrong’s website at:
http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/armstrong.
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For more information,
contact: John Sattgast, Information Officer - (360) 786-7257
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