Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, today was appointed to a seat on the Senate Transportation Committee and issued the following statement:

“I believe investment in our transportation infrastructure is absolutely integral to the economic growth and viability of our state and region. I am very pleased to be able to more effectively lend my voice to the transportation discussion and focus on how we can spur economic development while ensuring that our state is moving as efficiently and safely as possible.

“I remain focused on working to ensure that my community and our state remain one of opportunity for all. This means focusing on key pillars of a healthy community; access to quality education; access to quality jobs and access to quality health care. All of these pillars require efficient, reliable, safe transportation.
“Transportation impacts the broader health of our community as well as the health of individuals. On a daily basis all across our state, people are too often stuck in traffic. This is a frustration that impacts our quality of life.

“Vancouver and Clark County come with their own unique set of transportation issues. The discussion is often polarizing and political; however, I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that projects of vital importance to our community and region are addressed.

“Our state heavily relies on our ability to be able to move goods and people. We have our work cut out for us and I look forward to our work in the committee that will help produce real results and lasting improvements to our state’s transportation infrastructure now and in the future.”

In addition to the Transportation Committee, Cleveland will serve on the Early Learning & K-12 Education and Health Care Committees. She is also a part of the Senate Democratic Caucus leadership as the assistant floor leader.