Couture named to Appropriations committee

Travis Couture, R-Allyn, is now the lead Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, according to a Dec. 17 news release.

He will also serve as an assistant floor leader during the 2025 session.

“I’m honored to be selected to help lead this important committee as we work to right the state budget and rein in the out-of-control spending we have seen from the majority party over the past decade. Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. I look forward to working in a bipartisan way during the 2025 session and will fiercely advocate for responsible state spending that improves the lives of all Washingtonians,” Couture said in a statement.

The 35th District representative was previously the assistant ranking member on the committee, which covers budget-related issues and the operating budget.

This is his first caucus leadership position.

“We have a catalog of crises to fix in Washington state. I am excited to take on this new role to help resolve those crises and get Republican solutions across the finish line,” Couture said.

He also issued a statement Dec. 17 following the release of Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed operating budget, saying the budget “was not a serious proposal,” according to the statement.

“Despite record revenues over the past four years, Democratic leaders in the Legislature have consistently engaged in unsustainable budgeting by spending more revenue than was expected to be raised directly, causing this current deficit. No Washington family has the luxury of engaging in this level of fiscal irresponsibility. At a time when we are staring down a projected $10 to $12 billion shortfall, the governor’s solution is to completely raid the rainy-day fund, saddle hard-working Washingtonians with higher taxes, and increase spending by 9%. This is not leadership — it is fiscal irresponsibility,” Couture said.

The 2025 legislative session starts Jan. 13.