Many new faces on higher education policy committees

Quite a few new members are joining the two legislative committees that will address higher education policy issues during the 2011 session.

The House Higher Education Committee has a new chairman, Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, who replaces former Rep. Deb Wallace, who did not seek re-election from her Vancouver legislative district.  The committee’s new ranking minority member is Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland.

House committee members serving their first terms in the Legislature are:  Rep. Vincent Buys, R-Lynden; Rep. Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater; Rep. Hans Zeiger, R-Puyallup. Others on the 15-member committee are: Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle (Vice Chair); Rep. Kevin Parker, R-Spokane; Rep. Larry Springer, D-Kirkland; Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver; Rep. Larry Crouse, R-Spokane Valley; Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman; Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett; Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake; Rep. Bob Hasegawa, D-Seattle; Rep. Jim Jacks, D-Vancouver.

In the Senate, the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee also has a new chairman, Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue.  He replaces Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who remains on the higher education committee but also will serve as the Capital Budget Vice Chair on the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Members of the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee who are new to the Senate are: Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond; Sen. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane; Sen. Scott White, D-Seattle, who formerly occupied a seat in the House of Representatives.

Other members of the Senate committee are Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds (Vice Chair); Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup; Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville; Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale.