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Armstrong named lead
Republican on state government committee
Wenatchee lawmaker to focus on election laws,
discussion against ranked-choice voting
Rep. Mike
Armstrong, R-Wenatchee, has been named by House Republican
Leader Richard DeBolt as ranking Republican on the
House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee.
"I appreciate the honor to
be back serving in a leadership capacity on this committee. I had
previously served as the ranking member of this committee, then took a
break from it, and most recently served as assistant ranking member,"
said Armstrong. "I have a strong background in state government affairs,
so this committee is a great fit for me and for the 12th District, which
is also home to several Native American tribes."
The 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, various public employee laws,
certain state agencies, offices of elected state officials, and
tribal issues. Armstrong plans to continue his work toward
streamlining the state's election process.
"I've had a couple of
meetings with
Secretary of State Sam Reed and I anticipate some interesting
bills coming through the committee relating to voting laws," said
Armstrong.
The Wenatchee lawmaker
said he also plans to shine a spotlight on the problems relating to
ranked-choice voting, which was tried by Pierce County in
November. The system eliminates the primary election for certain county
offices and advances those candidates to the general election. Voters
are then asked to rank a first, second, and third choice candidate for a
single county office.
"I want to make sure
people recognize how much of a flop this ranked-choice system is. We
don't want people thinking that's the way to go. It really complicates
the election process, costs more time and money, and is confusing to
voters," noted Armstrong. "Most disturbing is that it risks placing
someone in office who the voters never intended to be elected. It's a
nightmare of a system that disenfranchises the voting public. I don't
know if legislation will be offered against it, but I do anticipate a
healthy debate on the issue this year in our committee."
In addition to his new
leadership role, Armstrong has also been assigned to the House
Transportation Committee, the General Government Appropriations
Committee, and the Rules Committee.
The 2009 legislative
session begins Jan. 12 in Olympia.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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