OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The chairwoman of the state Senate’s budget-writing committee is seeking a new job at the Capitol.
Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, has served as the Senate Ways and Means Committee chairwoman since 2005. Prentice tells The Seattle Times she wants to move into the role of president pro tem of the Senate, presiding over Senate meetings when Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is away.
Prentice says Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, might take her place on the budget committee. Washington’s $33 billion budget for the next two years is facing a deficit of nearly $5 billion.
The committee’s number-two Democrat usually does most of the detailed budget-writing work. As chairwoman, Prentice steered the overall direction of the committee and served as a guiding voice on policy.
