When the state Legislature opens its 2011 session on Jan. 10, state Rep. Sherry Appleton will add another leadership post to her legislative resume. The Poulsbo Democrat retains her assignment as vice-chair of the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee, but she’ll also take over as vice-chair of the budget-writing Health and Human Services Appropriations and Oversight Committee.
According to the Legislature’s official website, the House Health and Human Services Appropriations and Oversight Committee “considers issues relating to funding and oversight of health and human services programs and agencies and makes funding recommendations to the Ways and Means Committee. In addition, the committee considers bills relating to health and human services with limited fiscal impact.”
“I’ll continue fighting to preserve basic human services,” Appleton said, “especially in this down economy, when more and more citizens are facing life situations they never could have imagined just a few years ago. But the oversight responsibilities are just as important. When our resources are as limited as they are today, it’s more important than ever to be sure they’re being used in the most effective, efficient way.”
Appleton said one of her top priorities will be to protect the funding she won in last year’s budget for Bremerton’s Frances Haddon Morgan Center. That residential facility for severely autistic individuals was on the chopping block last year but was saved in the final days of the session when Appleton put together a group effort to restore its $1 million in state funding. With further reductions in expected state revenues, she said, the center is once again in danger.
In addition to her two vice-chair positions, Appleton will continue as a member of the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
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