OLYMPIA…
Senate Republicans today chose Sen. Dale Brandland,
R-Whatcom County, to continue serving on the Senate Ways and
Means committee and as ranking Republican on its Capital
Budget subcommittee. Brandland also will continue his
assignments to the Senate Human Services and Corrections,
and Early Learning and K-12 committees.
“I am pleased to
continue serving on these committees, especially the capital
budget group,” said Brandland. “Together my colleagues and I
will have a hand in authorizing construction and renovation
projects that put people to work – something that is
critically important right now. It is a privilege to be able
to make decisions that are creating jobs.”
The capital budget
is used to build, repair and improve state-owned buildings,
public schools, public lands and parks. It is separate from
the state’s operating (general fund) and transportation
budgets.
Brandland believes
education will be an important topic during the upcoming
legislative session, which begins Jan. 12, and said he is
looking forward to working on school-related issues. He
makes it a priority to visit the schools in his district and
speak with teachers and administrators to find out what is
important to them and bring that knowledge back to the
committee.
“I like to spend
time in schools and see the level of professionalism and
passion that the teachers and administrators have. It is
great to be able to help our committee do its job even
better by listening to educators in my district and taking
their ideas to the Capitol,” Brandland said.
Earlier this month Brandland was elected
by his Senate Republican colleagues to also serve as
Republican whip.
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Sen. Brandland is
Republican caucus whip and represents Washington’s 42nd
District, which includes Bellingham, Lynden and Blaine.
