Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, was chosen to join the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Health Care Committee for the upcoming legislative session.

Fain, who represents District 47, will also continue serving on the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and Rules Committee.

Leadership and selected members of the Majority Coalition Caucus met Friday to assign committee membership.

“I am excited to return to some familiar responsibilities while taking on the challenges offered by my new assignments,” said Fain, recently re-elected as Majority Floor Leader. “In a crucial budget year, I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the critical needs of our schools and jobs climate while increasing opportunities for all Washingtonians.”

The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for writing the state budget which occurs on a biennial basis. Legislators will be writing a new two-year state budget in 2017. Fain also hopes to bring leadership and a local perspective to the Health Care Committee, building on his efforts to address growing health needs in his local community representing Auburn, Covington, Federal Way, Kent and Renton.

The Washington State Legislature will reconvene for the 2017 legislative session on January 9th.