Takko gets new duties for the new year

State Rep. Dean Takko will be getting a grip on some new and tougher leadership duties when the 2008 Legislature kicks off on January 14.

Takko, a Longview Democrat who has been working as the Assistant Majority Whip, was very recently selected to serve as the vice chair of the House Local Government Committee. He has been a member of that panel since he came to the Legislature a few years ago.

“The Local Government Committee reviews matters that involve the operations and financing of counties, cities, and special districts other than school districts,” Takko explained. “We also take a look at issues that pertain to the Growth Management Act, and related land-use topics such as local permitting, the subdivision of property, and property rights.”

Takko is himself a former elected official in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, and in the town of Cathlamet. He served as county assessor in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, and as a councilmember in Cathlamet. He said his legislative priorities for the 2008 session, as in previous years, are: promoting rural economic development and diversification; producing a state budget that is sustainable, that invests in Washington’s future, and that protects vulnerable citizens; restoring citizen-trust in government; supporting timber and fishing industries through the application of commonsense environmental policies; protecting local governments from unfunded mandates imposed by the state.

Takko lives in Longview with his wife, Debra, and he is also a member of the House Technology, Energy & Communications Committee and the House Transportation Committee. He is a graduate of Western Washington University, Lower Columbia College, and Wahkiakum High School. He has served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 25 years, and is a former board member of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Red Cross.