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Walsh changes House
committee assignments
16th
District legislator cites family and House Republican harmony as reasons
Rep. Maureen Walsh,
R-Walla Walla, announced today she will step down as vice chair of the
House Early Learning and Children’s Services (ELCS) Committee, but
remain on as a member of the committee. She has also declined an
appointment on a separate committee leaving her with three committee
assignments, instead of four, in the 2007 legislative session.
“This decision is for my family – both my House Republican brothers and
sisters and my children,” said Walsh, who lost her husband to an
unexpected death in April. “I want continued harmony in my caucus and
there were some members who were uncomfortable with the Democrats
appointing me to a leadership position on the ELCS committee.”
Walsh believes she will continue to be an important member of the House
Early Learning and Children’s Services Committee regardless of whether
there is a title next to her name.
“Anyone who knows me knows I am passionate about early learning and
understands that I care more about results than I do titles. While it
was a tremendous honor to be appointed vice chair by the Speaker of
House, I can accomplish what I think is best for my district and state
regardless of any title,” said Walsh. “I also want to be home in the
evenings as much as possible to have dinner and more time with my
14-year-old son, Murphy, who is attending 8th grade in Olympia while I
am here for the session.”
Walsh will now sit on the House Appropriations Committee, House Early
Learning and Children’s Services Committee, and Select Committee on
Puget Sound.
“Going from four to three committees allows me to focus more on my
passion – helping families. Since the death of my husband Kelly last
year, it has been vitally important for me to be there for my kids.
Shauna just turned 21, Patrick is 18, and Murphy is my youngest,” said
Walsh. “One less committee assignment allows me to spend just that much
more time with my son. However, I’m probably more excited about this
than he is!”
Walsh is pleased to again be a part of the powerful House Appropriations
Committee that helps determine the state’s operating budget.
“I’m so happy to again be on the House Appropriations Committee. There’s
no greater responsibility for lawmakers than to determine the best use
of state taxpayer dollars,” said Walsh. “This committee gives me and my
colleagues a chance to determine priorities of government – and I’m
excited to be a part of the state budgeting process.”
Walsh regrets that she caused some of her House Republican colleagues
consternation when she accepted the vice chair position.
“I did not fully understand that my appointment would be an issue with
some members of my caucus. I consider myself a team player and if I knew
that there were folks on my team that were uncomfortable with it, I
would not have accepted it,” said Walsh. “I’m here to do the best job
possible and only by working together will we be successful.”
The legislative session began on January 8 and is scheduled to run 105
days.
For more information on Walsh visit
http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Walsh/
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