Lois Wolk, D-Davis, named majority whip

Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon has chosen Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, Benicia’s representative in the upper chamber of the Legislature, as the majority whip.

De Leon also appointed Wolk as chairperson of the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation.

Wolk said she looks forward to working with Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature’s leaders in addressing the state’s resources. That includes carrying out the provisions of the recently approved water bond.

Approved by the voters Nov. 4, 2014, Proposition 1, called the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, is a $7.545 billion general obligation bond measure that will underwrite projects as part of a statewide comprehensive water plan.

“The current drought demonstrates the need to invest in reliable, climate-resilient water supplies to sustain our economy, communities and ecosystems,” Wolk said.

“This is a critical job and one I take very seriously considering my lengthy history shaping California water policy.”

Besides overseeing the realization of Prop. 1 provisions, the subcommittee also watches over investments related to renewable energy, energy conservation, state parks, air quality, water supply, flood control, land conservation, toxic materials, recycling and waste, cap-and-trade expenditures, high-speed rail and transportation.

Wolk also was returned to the Senate Standing Committees on Agriculture; Energy, Utilities and Communications; Health; and Natural Resources and Water. In addition, she has been named to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

“Each of these committee assignments reflects my priorities for my last two years in office,” she said. “I look forward to serving my constituents as their voice on these important committees.”

According to SmartVoter.com, the role of the whip “can be traced back to the United Kingdom’s Parliament, which adopted the term ‘Whip’ from the fox-hunting position, ‘whipper-in,’ or the person who kept the fox hounds focused on their mission.

“… The majority whip’s job is to count votes and ‘whip’ up support for Democratic legislation and keep members focused on the mission.”

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