Press Release, Clint Robbins
OLYMPIA – A veteran Snohomish County lawmaker is poised to take the reins of a key, reconfigured legislative panel.
State Rep. John McCoy will chair the new Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee in the Washington State House of Representatives. With his appointment just recently confirmed by the members of the House Democratic Caucus, McCoy will assume responsibilities for putting the committee gavel to work when the 2013 legislative session launches Monday morning, Jan. 14.
In addition to the critical matters defined in its title, McCoy’s committee has dominion over issues involving veterans, tourism, and parks/recreation affairs.
“We will review topics ranging from accessibility and affordability of housing, to state-assistance for low-income housing, to rules and regulations for housing authorities, to the Housing Finance Commission, itself,” McCoy said.
“I am very excited to help move our state forward on the exploration of these concerns and related issues,” added the recently re-elected legislator, who will be leaving his post as chair of the House Technology, Energy & Communications Committee. Indeed, in the past several years he has played a substantial role in shaping policy discussions around technology, energy and communications problems and questions.
But hold on, folks. The work for McCoy, D-Tulalip, in the upcoming session doesn’t end with the Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee. He’s also taking on the responsibilities of vice-chairing the House Environment Committee.
The Environment Committee looks at topics involving air quality, aquatic lands, oil-spill prevention, recycling and solid waste, hazardous waste, toxics, climate change, renewable-energy standards, as well as energy availability, production and conservation. Further, this committee maintains a close eye on what the Puget Sound Partnership is up to regarding Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Yes, there’s more. McCoy will keep his position on the House Education Committee. And no, good people, you don’t need to be any sort of modern-day Horace Mann to know what subjects that committee deals with.