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Rep. Bailey picks up House
Appropriations Committee position
Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak
Harbor, has been selected to serve on the powerful House Appropriations
Committee when the Legislature convenes Jan. 10 in Olympia. The
selection is in addition to Bailey’s continued appointment as Ranking
Republican on the House Health Care Committee, announced last month.
The House Appropriations
Committee is charged with considering the state’s operating budget and
bills with fiscal impact. It also specializes in pension policy.
"For many years, the 10th District has been represented on the House
Appropriations Committee by Rep. Barry Sehlin, who had served as ranking
member and chair. With his retirement, I appreciate the opportunity to
pick up and maintain that continuity of a strong voice for our district
on this important committee," said Bailey. "Also, as we go through the
process of legislation in the Health Care Committee, I recognize that
there will be many proposals that could have financial impacts on the
budget. Serving on both of these committees will be very valuable as we
make critical decisions for the future of our state."
Bailey said she is
concerned about outgoing Gov. Gary Locke’s call to raise taxes on
physicians and on liquor and soda pop, especially when the state is
expected to take in nearly 7 percent more in revenues than the previous
biennium without tax increases.
"Although our economy is
slowly improving, families are still struggling as unemployment in our
local area hovers between 5˝ to 6 percent. We should be fighting to help
these families by bringing jobs to our state, not tax increases," added
Bailey. "An additional tax on physicians would only help to further fuel
a health-care crisis in Washington, driving more and more doctors out of
the state. I would be very reluctant to consider either of these
unnecessary tax increases. We can and should write a budget that sets
priorities and limits spending to within our means."
While several other state
representatives have been reassigned office locations, Bailey will
remain in her current office address in Olympia. That address is:
Rep. Barbara Bailey
405 John L. O’Brien Bldg.
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Her Olympia office phone
number also remains the same at (360) 786-7914.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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