WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Hudgins named chair of Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government

Rep. Zack Hudgins
Rep. Zack Hudgins

Rep. Zack Hudgins (D-Tukwila) will serve as the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.

“Citizens need services that work for them and their families,” said Hudgins. “My job, as a citizen-lawmaker, is to be an advocate for friends and neighbors back home in the 11th District.”

Hudgins served a similar role last session, although the budget committees were structured differently. According to the House of Representatives, the newly organized subcommittee oversees the funding of 70 state agencies including the Department of Ecology, the state prison system, parks, the Department of Enterprise Services, natural resources and the budgets of statewide elected officials such as the Secretary of State.

Here is the complete list of committee chairs in the House of Representatives.

“This is about making government work better for our citizens,” Hudgins said. “I drive a Ford Ranger with more than 180,000 miles on it, so I understand the value of pinching pennies.”

Hudgins said there’s a difference between being anti-government and being an advocate for citizens and taxpayers.

“I see my job as being practical, to make sure citizens get what they need to go to work, come home safe and take care of their family,” Hudgins said. “Two examples this committee will deal with a lot involve parks and prisons. We need state parks where you can hike with your wife or grandpa can teach grandkids how to fish. And we need state prisons that work so people feel safe downtown and their kids can play outside in their neighborhoods.”

The work of the committee can often seem obscure, Hudgins said, and they spend endless hours scouring line items and diving into the weeds of how programs work. But the end results – better services or savings for taxpayers – are worth it.

“We have cut the state budget year after year – at least $10 billion in cuts,” Hudgins said. “That was necessary because of the global economic crash, but equally necessary is making those cuts the right way, to become more efficient while doing the least amount of harm to the citizens we serve.”

Hudgins welcomes ideas, comments and suggestions from citizens.

“Little things matter,” Hudgins said. “They add up, and they matter. So if you have an idea for a smart reform, or want to share your story, please send me an email or call my office.”