FILE PHOTO — State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks at the Moose Lodge in Centralia in October 2017.
With the balance of power turning to the Democrats in the state Senate, the Senate Republican Caucus announced its committee appointments for the 2018 Legislative session this week.
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, will remain on the Ways and Means Committee as well as the Labor and Commerce Committee where he has served as chairman and vice chairman, respectively. In the upcoming session, he will serve as the ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee.
“Our members are anxious to get the session started and will continue to serve everyone in Washington with dedication and integrity,” said Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, in a press release. “I’m always proud and impressed by their level of commitment when tackling important issues. The 2018 legislative session will be no different.”
The session will begin on Jan. 8 and is scheduled to last for 60 days.
Full committee appointments are listed below with the ranking member listed first then the rest in alphabetical order.
Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks: Sen. Judy Warnick and Sen. Jim Honeyford
Economic Development & Trade: Sen. Sharon Brown and the successor in 39th Legislative District
Early Learning & K-12 Education: Sen. Hans Zeiger, Sen. Brad Hawkins, Sen. Mike Padden and Sen. Ann Rivers
Energy, Environment, Technology: Sen. Doug Ericksen, Sen. Sharon Brown, Sen. Brad Hawkins and Sen. Tim Sheldon
Financial Institutions & Insurance: Sen. Jan Angel, Sen. Michael Baumgartner and Sen. Phil Fortunato
Health & Long Term Care: Sen. Ann Rivers, Sen. Barbara Bailey, Sen. Randi Becker and Sen. Joe Fain
Higher Education & Workforce Development: Sen. Brad Hawkins, Sen. Doug Ericksen, Sen. Mark Miloscia and Sen. Shelly Short
Human Services & Corrections: Sen. Steve O’Ban, Sen. Mark Miloscia and Sen. Shelly Short
Labor & Commerce: Sen. Michael Baumgartner, Sen. John Braun, Sen. Curtis King and Sen. Lynda Wilson
Law & Justice: Sen. Mike Padden, Sen. Jan Angel and Sen. Lynda Wilson
Local Government: Sen. Shelly Short and Sen. Jan Angel
State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: Sen. Mark Miloscia and Sen. Hans Zeiger
Transportation: Sen. Curtis King, Sen. Phil Fortunato, Sen. Steve O’Ban, Sen. Tim Sheldon, Sen. Maureen Walsh and Sen. Hans Zeiger
Ways & Means: Sen. John Braun, Sen. Jim Honeyford, Sen. Barbara Bailey, Sen. Randi Becker, Sen. Sharon Brown, Sen. Joe Fain, Sen. Ann Rivers, Sen. Mark Schoesler, Sen. Judy Warnick and the successor in the 39th Legislative District
Rules: Sen. Mark Schoesler, Sen. Barbara Bailey, Sen. Randi Becker, Sen. Joe Fain, Sen. Curtis King and Sen. Tim Sheldon
The 2018 leadership team for the Senate Republican Caucus is:
Leader: Sen. Mark Schoesler, Ritzville.
Deputy Leader: Sen. Sharon Brown, Kennewick.
Caucus Chair: Sen. Randi Becker, Eatonville.
Vice Caucus Chair: Sen. Judy Warnick, Moses Lake.
Floor Leader: Sen. Joe Fain, Auburn.
Assistant Floor Leader: Sen. Brad Hawkins, East Wenatchee.
Whip: Sen. Barbara Bailey, Oak Harbor.
Assistant Whip: Sen. Maureen Walsh, Walla Walla.
