MELLOW APPOINTS SENATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE CHAIRS

State Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow today appointed senators to serve as Democratic chairs for Senate legislative committees for the two-year 2009-10 legislative session.

“We have outstanding leaders with the right mix of enthusiasm and expertise to serve as Democratic chairs for these important legislative committees,” Mellow said. “Each of these distinguished lawmakers brings a wealth of knowledge, innovation and willingness to work in a bipartisan way to mold good bills into great laws.”

Mellow made the following appointments:

* Aging & Youth – LeAnna M. Washington (D-Phila./Montgomery)
* Agriculture & Rural Affairs – Michael A. O’Pake (D-Berks)
* Appropriations – Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)
* Banking & Insurance – Michael J. Stack, III (D-Phila.)
* Communications & Technology – John Wozniak (D-Cambria/Centre/Clearfield/Clinton/Somerset)
* Community, Economic and Recreational Development – Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny)
* Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure – Lisa M. Boscola (D-Lehigh/Monroe/Northampton)
* Education – Andrew E. Dinniman (D-Chester/Montgomery)
* Environmental Resources & Energy – Raphael J. Musto (D-Carbon/Luzerne/Monroe)
* Finance – Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny/Armstrong/Westmoreland)
* Game & Fisheries – Richard A. Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset)
* Judiciary – Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/ Montgomery)
* Labor & Industry – Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Phila.)
* Law & Justice – Sean Logan (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland)
* Local Government – Raphael J. Musto (D-Carbon/Luzerne/Monroe)
* Public Health & Welfare – Vincent J. Hughes (D-Montgomery/Phila.)
* Rules & Executive Nominations – Robert J. Mellow (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe)
* State Government – Anthony H. Williams (D-Phila./Delaware)
* Transportation – J. Barry Stout (D-Allegheny/Beaver/Greene/Washington/Westmoreland)
* Urban Affairs & Housing – Shirley M. Kitchen (D-Phila.)
* Veterans’ Affairs & Emergency Preparedness – Larry Farnese (D-Phila.)