The House Appropriations Committee considers the operating budget bill and related legislation, budget process and fiscal issues such as pension policy and compensation
TJ Martinell
The Center Square Washington
Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, has been appointed the top Republican on the Washington State House Appropriations Committee.
Chaired by Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, the House Appropriations Committee considers the operating budget bill and related legislation, budget process and fiscal issues such as pension policy and compensation. The committee also considers bills that impact the operating budget.
“I am excited for the opportunity to represent my fellow Republicans on this important budget committee and to advocate for our vision of a fiscally responsible state budget that includes tax relief for the people of Washington state,” said Corry, who has served as assistant ranking member since 2021, in a Thursday news release. “I look forward to getting to work on that in the months ahead in a bipartisan way that considers all of the people of Washington state.”
During this year’s recently concluded 105-day legislative session, the nearly $70 billion operating budget passed the House on a mostly partisan 58-40 vote. In the Senate, eight Republicans joined Democrats in passing it by a 37-12 margin.
While the operating budget did not include any general tax increases, it also did not include broad-based tax relief such as a cut in the state’s portion of the sales or property tax.
Corry will continue to serve as the assistant House floor leader, in addition to continuing to serve on the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee.
His new role as ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee is not his only new gig, having started on May 1 as director of the Center for Government Reform at the free-market Washington Policy Center.
Corry is taking over for outgoing director Jason Mercier, who is leaving to take a management position with the Idaho-based Mountain States Policy Center that focuses on Eastern Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Corry will continue to serve as a state representative and will divide his time with WPC.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- A Christmas Message from Clark County Today
This Christmas message from Clark County Today reflects on the Nativity and the birth of Jesus Christ. - Vancouver hires former Los Angeles City Fire Department leader as its new fire chief
The city of Vancouver has selected John L. Drake II, a former Los Angeles City Fire Department leader, to serve as its new fire chief beginning Dec. 29. - Opinion: Hard work is being done to try to trade one bad health care system for another
Elizabeth New (Hovde) cautions that efforts to create a universal, taxpayer-financed health care system in Washington risk replacing existing problems with new challenges tied to cost, access, and centralized control. - Play area at Hazel Dell Community Park closed January through March for installation of new play equipment
Play areas at Hazel Dell Community Park will close from January through March for removal of old equipment and installation of new, community-selected play features. - Opinion: The progressive attack on Washington’s sheriffs
Nancy Churchill argues that proposed legislation would shift power over county sheriffs away from voters and concentrate control within state government. - Letter: Is Secretary of State Hobbs really JUST protecting your voter information?
Camas resident Rick Vermeers questions the Washington secretary of state’s refusal to provide voter roll data to the U.S. Department of Justice and raises concerns about voter list transparency and compliance with federal law. - VIDEO: WA GOP budget lead blasts Ferguson’s fiscal plan as ‘a complete joke’
Republican lawmakers sharply criticized Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental budget, arguing it fails to meet Washington’s four-year balanced budget requirement and masks deeper fiscal problems.
