Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, got it right when he said, “Without a doubt, the action this year is with the budget.”

I'm wondering how the new budget committee structure will work in the House. There are 3 "appropriations" committees and 1 overall Ways and Means Committee.

And all four of them will have having hearings on different aspects of the budget. At some point, someone has to make a decision about what gets into the state budget and what gets left out.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall to overhear that discussion, but I can't even figure out which room I should go to and which wall I should cling to.

Seaquist named vice chair of new Health and Human Services Committee

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OLYMPIA – This year’s legislative session will open for Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, with a new leadership role – vice chair of the new Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee.

House leadership created the new committee to complement two existing Appropriations subcommittees. One focused on education, the other on government and audits.

“It’s been apparent to me for awhile that if there is one area ripe for oversight, it’s health care,” Seaquist said. “We need human service dollars to go farther this year. Health care costs are just out of control. So I’m excited with this opportunity to help lead this committee and see where we can make a difference.”

Seaquist will remain on the Ways and Means Committee, previously referred to as Appropriations, where the House works on the state operating budget.

“Without a doubt, the action this year is with the budget,” Seaquist said. “After all of the conversations I’ve had, and continue to have with my constituents, it’s an honor to be able to be in the room debating where to cut and how far.”

The Early Learning and Children’s Services Committee will round out Seaquist’s three session assignments. This committee focuses on the state’s early learning programs, foster care, and related issues. In addition to these, he was also recently appointed to the Select Committee on Pension Policy.

The 2009 legislative session is set to open on Monday.