Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, has been elected chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which is the Senate’s budget committee.

Prentice will start her fifth year at the helm of the budget writing committee when the state Legislature convenes for the 105-day session Jan. 12.

“Everyone knows we have difficult work ahead of us this session. The cuts will be deep and the choices brutal,” Prentice said.

“It’s more important than ever that the Legislature and Governor’s Office work closely to minimize impact and maximize our resources,” she said.