Evan Smith: Kagi heading merged legislative committee

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

Rep. Ruth Kagi

State Rep. Ruth Kagi, who has been chairwoman of the State House committee on early learning and children's services for several years, is now chairwoman of the State House committee on early learning and human services.

The new committee is a combination of her old committee and the former human services committee.

She told me early this week that the merger is part of the Legislature’s attempt to reduce the number of committees and the House budget.

The Lake Forest Park Democrat said that the House of Representatives has cut the number of committees by four.

The new committee has jurisdiction over early learning, temporary assistance for needy families (welfare), child welfare, developmental disabilities, drug and alcohol treatment issues, children's mental health, disability lifeline and vocational rehabilitation and juvenile rehabilitation.