Shin swaps seats, Pridemore bounced

Senate Democrats did a little shuffling in the leadership of committees for the 2009 session.

The Senate Higher Education Committee is getting a new name and a new leader.

Sen. Paul Shin, D-Edmonds, is out and Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, is in of what will be called the Higher Education and Workforce Committee.

This is a key panel for those seeking to bring a new university to Snohomish County. Kilmer is likely to support hearings on the community's efforts to secure a UW branch campus. Kilmer is also trying to expand higher ed in his area so look for any legislation that comes through the committee to deal with the hopes and desires of Snohomish and Kitsap counties.

Shin is not going away empty-handed. He is getting chairmanship of a newly created Internation Relations subcommittee of the Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee.

Another interesting change is that Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, is no longer the number 2 Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee. Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, is the new vice-chairman. This is likely a response to Pridemore's testing of the waters of potential support in the caucus to replace Sen. Margarita Prentice as chairwoman. There wasn't any.

Here are all the assignments as reported by the Senate Democrats

Agriculture & Rural Economic Development
Chair: Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond
Vice chair: Sen.-elect Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island

Government Operations & Elections
Chair: Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park
Vice chair: Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland

Human Services & Corrections
Chair: Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam
Vice chair: Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma

Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection
(formerly Labor, Commerce, Research & Development)
Chair: Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle
Vice chair: Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent

Early Learning & K-12 Education
Chair: Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell
Vice chair of Early Learning: Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent
Vice chair of K-12: Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland

Economic Development, Trade & Innovation
(formerly Economic Development, Trade & Management)
Chair: Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup
Vice chair: Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds

International Relations Subcommittee (new)
Chair: Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds

Health & Long-Term Care
Chair: Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent
Vice chair: Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma

Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
Chair: Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle
Vice chair: Sen.-elect Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island

Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance
(formerly Financial Institutions & Insurance)
Chair: Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett
Vice chair: Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens

Higher Education & Workforce Development
(formerly Higher Education)
Chair: Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor
Vice chair: Sen.-elect Fred Jarrett, D-Mercer Island

Judiciary
Chair: Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle
Vice chair: Sen. Joe McDermott, D-West Seattle

Environment, Water & Energy
(formerly Water, Energy & Telecommunications)
Chair: Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County
Vice chair: Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver

Transportation
Chair: Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island
Vice chair: Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane

Ways & Means
Chair: Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton
Vice chair of operating budget: Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina
Vice chair of capital budget: Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Olympia