State Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, officially took the oath of office to serve his first term as a legislator from the 17th Legislative District today. Harris was sworn in by Chief Justice Barbara Madsen in the chambers of the House of Representatives during the opening ceremony of the 2011 legislative session.

“I ran for office because I have been discouraged at the direction of our state. Increased spending and taxation has not worked and the days of unsustainable budgets are over,” said Harris. “We need to regain the trust of our citizens and lead by example with responsible budgeting, protecting and creating private sector jobs, and ensuring government is providing only essential and core services.”

Harris will be serving as the Assistant Ranking Minority Member on the Environment Committee. He will also be serving on Health and Human Services Appropriations; Health Care and Wellness; and Technology, Energy and Communications committees.

Not many legislators serve on four committees but Harris is up for the challenge.

“I came to Olympia because I am concerned about what is happening in my legislative district and Washington State. If that means a little extra workload to solve some of our state’s issues then I am all for it,” said Harris. “The people elected me to go to work in Olympia and that is what I am doing. Four committee assignments mean I get to be involved in more pieces to the puzzle and putting Washington back on the right track.”

Harris can be reached at his legislative office at (360) 786-7976 or Paul.Harris@leg.wa.gov. His mailing address is P.O. Box 40600, Modular C-205, Olympia, WA, 98504-0600.

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Contact: Kurt Hammond, Public Information Officer (360) 786-7794