Newly elected State Senator Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island), has been named to fill a key budget and environmental committee vice chair positions when the Senate convenes shortly for the 2005 legislative session.

After becoming the majority party in November’s elections, Senate Democrats decided upon committee structure and chairs. Rockefeller joins the budget-writing Ways & Means Committee, a combined Early Learning, K-12 and Higher Education Committee, and was selected as vice chair of the Environment, Energy and Water Committee.

“After six years in the House, I’m excited about moving to the Senate,” said Rockefeller, who was elected in November to the seat previously held by Betti Sheldon. “I’ve always been a strong advocate for education at all levels as well as responsible stewardship of our state’s natural resources. But, in addition, how we set spending priorities while living within our means is a critical concern for my constituents.”.