— from Rick Manugian for Senator Ranker —
Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, will retain his position as the number-two Democrat on the powerful Senate Ways & Means Committee that controls the vast majority of state spending.
“I am honored to have been selected by my colleagues to serve in this critical role,” Ranker said. “While many bills shape the values of our state and our local communities, few bills have the impact on those values that the budget has.”
“Sen. Ranker is doing a first-rate job of making sure Washington values have been represented in the state’s budget,” said Minority Leader Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island. “He is a skilled negotiator with the ability to work with Republicans to produce a budget we can all live with.”
At the same time, Ranker was also chosen to continue his role on the Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee.
Though neither action is official until voted on by the full Senate when the Legislature convenes in January, his selection for these positions this week by his peers in the Senate Democratic Caucus renders the final action more or less a formality.
