Warnick named Ag Committee chair

OLYMPIA – The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus has announced Senate committee leadership for the 2015 legislative session, including a new committee that will focus on government accountability and reform issues.

“The committee leadership reflects the exceptional talent in this caucus who have already gotten great results for the people of this state,” Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, Ritzville said.

Senator-elect Judy Warnick, Moses Lake, will chair the Senate Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic Development Committee. It considers issues relating to agricultural land and production, food safety and policies and programs that affect economic development in rural areas of the state.

The 2015 legislative session begins Monday, Jan. 12. It is scheduled to last 105 days

Schoesler said the addition of a new committee to oversee accountability and reform issues is a priority for the caucus. “We have a crisis of confidence and competence,” he said.

Senator-elect Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way, was appointed to chair the new Senate Accountability and Reform Committee.

Dec. 10 marks the second anniversary of the founding of the Majority Coalition Caucus in the Senate when two Democrats joined with Republicans to form the coalition. The 2014 elections gave Republicans a clear majority in the Senate and full chairmanships for the committees.

“This does not change our commitment to collaboration with the minority Democrats in the Senate,” Schoesler said.”