01/08/08 Chairmanship changes of interest to agriculture

Washington Ag January 8, 2007 There are some committee chairmanship changes in the Washington Legislature for this 2008 session of interest to agriculture. John Stuhlmiller, Director of State Affairs for the Washington Farm Bureau says that includes a new chairman for the House Agriculture Committee Stuhlmiller: "Brian Blake will be the new chair of the House and Natural Resources Committee. They are splitting of the environmental issues to a Parks and Ecology Committee." That new standing committee will be chaired by Democratic Representative Dave Upthegrove of Des Moines. Ag Chair Blake is an Aberdeen Democrat. He was vice-chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee last session. Marilyn Rasmussen remains the chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Committee. Stuhlmiller says Senator Phil Rockefeller is taking over the chairmanship of the Senate committee with jurisdiction over water issues. Stuhlmiller: "Oh, I think that will be a good for us. Senator Rockefeller is a thoughtful individual and shown interest in our issues and so we hope that good relationship continues." Stuhlmiller says the expectation is just for moderate activity during this legislative session. I'm Bob Hoff.