Politics from the Palouse to Puget Sound

Friday, May 09, 2008

"Hailey seeks re-election after battle with cancer"

It's good to hear that Rep. Hailey seems to be making a full recovery.

From yesterday's Whitman County Gazette:
State Rep. Steve Hailey of Mesa, who has undergone treatment for colon cancer after being diagnosed at the start of the last legislative session, has officially kicked off his 2008 re-election campaign. Hailey said he has undergone a regimen of chemotherapy, and his doctor is extremely pleased with the progress he has made toward recovery.

In recent days, the Mesa Republican has attended community and public events in Adams, Spokane, Whitman, Asotin, Garfield and Franklin counties to announce his re-election bid.

“We still have a lot of work to be done in Olympia, and I look forward to representing the citizens of the 9th District to work on important legislation that continues to affect the lives of the people who live in Eastern Washington,” Hailey said.

He feels his most important work in the legislature is not to pass more laws, but to help other legislators understand why and how legislation determines our way of life in Eastern Washington. He added what he enjoys most about being a legislator is being able to help individuals get through the government maze.

Rep. Hailey said he decided to go public with the news of his cancer diagnosis last January because he wanted to be honest and open with his constituents. Although unable to be in Olympia during much of the legislative session, Hailey continued to be involved in key issues important to residents in the 9th District. He has been able to return to an active work schedule on his ranch.

Hailey said one goal he would like to pursue in the next session would be to change the state’s “use it or loose it” policy for water rights. He feels residents can do a better job of conserving ground water all over the state if the state can get away from this attitude.

Hailey’s legislative committee assignments include the House Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation, Select Committee on Environmental Health and the joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs.

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