McCune appointed to three House committees

Rep. Jim McCune was recently appointed to three committees in the Washington State House of Representatives. The 2nd District lawmaker will sit on the House General Government Appropriations and Oversight, Transportation and Technology, Energy and Communications committees. He will also continue his role on the Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs.

“The heavy lifting of lawmaking is done in committees. It is where good ideas are perfected, and where bad ideas are hopefully put down,” said McCune, R-Graham. “I’m looking forward to my committee work and what it could mean for the communities I represent.”   

McCune will again be ranking Republican on the General Government Appropriations and Oversight Committee, which considers issues relating to funding of general government, natural resources and corrections programs and agencies, and makes funding recommendations to the Ways and Means Committee.

“The two issues that will get the most attention in the legislative session are the budget and economy. We must balance the budget without raising taxes. Being a part of General Government Appropriations offers me an opportunity to support solutions that will reform and prioritize state government in ways that save tax dollars,” said McCune. “The second part of the budget equation is revenue. The best way to generate more revenue is to create more economic activity. Jobs must be a focus of state lawmakers.”    

The House Transportation Committee considers the transportation budget, revenue sources for transportation funding, and issues relating to transportation policy and transportation agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Washington State Patrol.

“Transportation infrastructure is vital to the people of my district -- including commutes and the transport of goods and services,” said McCune. “My job on the Transportation Committee is to ensure the gas-tax promises made to the 2nd District are kept, and important projects such as the Yelm Loop and Cross-Base Highway are on time and on budget.”

The House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee considers deployment, regulation, and access to technology and electronic communications; energy availability, production, and conservation; and related infrastructure issues.

The Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs is a bipartisan group formed for the purpose of studying and exploring veterans’ and military issues. The committee provides a venue for concepts and ideas to be introduced, vetted and perfected, and makes recommendations resulting from those concepts and ideas to the Legislature.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this bipartisan group focused solely on veterans’ and military issues,” said McCune. “The men and women of our armed services deserve our full attention and to be a part of the decisions made in our citizen Legislature. The Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs provides a venue for ideas and bills to be considered and refined.”

McCune can be reached at (360) 786-7824 and jim.mccune@leg.wa.gov.

The 2011 legislative session begins Monday, Jan. 10, and is schedule to run 105 days.