The Shoreline communities, the 32nd District and our entire state are fortunate to have Rep. Maralyn Chase doing the people’s work. Her work to promote international trade, good jobs and the environment is vital to helping Washington recover from our current downturn.

A recent letter to the Shoreline Enterprise made the false claim that reappointing Republican state Rep. Tom Campbell to chair the House Committee on Environmental Health showed a lack of confidence in Rep. Chase (“Democrats pass over Chase for a Republican,” Jan. 21). Nothing could be farther from the truth. We took the unusual step of appointing a leading Republican environmental expert to chair that committee because we need to overcome old partisan divisions and create a new approach of leadership through bipartisanship in environmental policy. Rep. Campbell’s reappointment reflects the outstanding job he’s done to advance policies that reflect our “One Washington” philosophy.

For a true measure of the House Democrats’ confidence in Rep. Chase, look to her chairmanship of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy. Washington is the most trade dependent state in the nation. This joint House and Senate committee is essential to monitoring trade agreements and advocating Washington state interests in international trade. Having Maralyn Chase — an acknowledged leader on trade policy and small business development — as chair of the select committee serves the people and businesses of our state well.

Rep. Chase is doing indispensable work for our state. She has earned our gratitude and confidence.

Frank Chopp

Olympia