Manweller details committee issues

OLYMPIA - Rep. Matt Manweller was recently named to the House Finance Committee for the upcoming 2015 legislative session.

As a member of the House Finance Committee, Manweller, of Ellensburg, will be considering issues related to state and local revenue, like tax increases, tax exemptions and changes in the administration of taxes.

"Anyone who has heard the governor in the last few days knows we can expect lively debate in the Finance Committee this session," said Manweller. "The governor is proposing a capital gains tax, and raising taxes on oil refineries and cigarettes. I am sure we will see these proposals, or something very similar, before the committee. I look forward to the debate, especially when we are expecting an 8 percent increase in revenue this next biennium."

Manweller will also be serving on the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee, which considers issues in industrial insurance unemployment compensation, collective bargaining, family leave and safer health and unemployment standards like wage laws and employment discrimination.

The Labor and Workforce committee considers issues pertaining to the building and construction trades, workforce development issues, including apprenticeships, job skills and work retraining and the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act.

In November, Manweller was elected as assistant floor leader by his fellow colleagues in the House Republican Caucus.

As assistant floor leader, Manweller will be involved in the leadership team which helps coordinate the debates that occur on the House floor. He will also be involved in strategies and policy decisions the House Republican Caucus makes.

The 105-day 2015 legislative session starts Jan. 12.