|
Rep. Kretz
assumes new role as deputy leader for the
House Republicans
The
7th District legislator was appointed to the position by his
colleagues last November
Returning to Olympia Jan.
12 for the 2009 legislative session,
Rep. Joel Kretz assumed the
tasks and duties of his new role as deputy leader for the House
Republicans. All caucus leadership positions are chosen at a special
meeting prior to the legislative session by a secret ballot of caucus
members.
The deputy leader's duties include
developing policy, determining priorities for the caucus and leading
constituent and media outreach efforts.
"I'm honored to have been chosen by my House Republican
colleagues to take on this important leadership position," Kretz,
R-Wauconda, said.
"This is an exciting time to be a legislator because we face challenges
like no other year in recent history. This legislative session will be
about solutions to our greatest challenges, not slogans and empty
promises. We can turn this state around with a little elbow grease and
leadership, both of which I am more than willing to offer to the people
of Washington."
Kretz added that balancing the budget shortfall on the backs of families
and small businesses is not an option for House Republicans.
"While this budget crisis calls for tough decisions, I believe it also
gives us the opportunity to commit to prioritizing state spending and
creating a more limited and efficient state government. Our family farms
and mom-and-pop shops in the Seventh District and around the state need
relief, not higher taxes and bigger government," Kretz said.
In addition, Kretz said he wants to focus on keeping the agriculture and natural resources industries afloat. He noted that exports
of agricultural products account for 11 percent of the state's
economic production and $6.7 billion in exports in 2007. These vital
industries account for 160,000 jobs, most of which are in rural parts of
Washington.
Constituents are encouraged to send input on the state budget,
agriculture issues or any other issue facing the state and 7th District
communities to his office. His new office address is:
Rep. Joel Kretz
Washington State House of Representatives
Legislative Building, Room 335-A
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia,
98504-0600
Phone: (360) 786-7988
Toll-free hotline: 1-800-562-6000
E-mail: kretz.joel@leg.wa.gov
"I am still as accessible as before. I want folks to know that my office
address may have changed along with my new duties, but my open-door
policy has not. I invite constituents to call, write, e-mail or stop by
my office anytime," Kretz said.
Kretz' office is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
by his legislative assistant Jessica Buchert-McCarthy. Constituents
visiting Olympia are encouraged to call in advance to schedule time
with Kretz since committee schedules are extremely tight this year.
In addition to his leadership role, Kretz will serve on several House
committees including
Ecology and Parks,
Agriculture and
Natural Resources,
Environmental
Health and
Rules.
# # #
Editor note: Photo attached.
CAPTION:
Legislative Assistant Jessica Buchert-McCarthy and Rep. Joel Kretz at
his new office in the Capitol building. Kretz assumed his duties as
deputy leader of the House Republicans Jan. 12.
For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
|