The Senate Democrats recently announced legislative committee assignments for the 2013-2014 legislative session.

I am pleased to once again be named the Democratic Chair of the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee.

This will be the third legislative session for which I will serve as chair of the committee. I look forward to once again focusing on revitalizing our communities through economic development, job creation and investing in Pennsylvania’s businesses.

This committee also has oversight of the activities of the Gaming Control Board, which regulates the state’s thriving gaming and casino industry.

Our committee has worked tirelessly over the past few years to craft legislation to make sure the gaming funds are reinvested back into our communities.

I was also honored to be named as a member to the following committees for the 2013-2014 session:

• Judiciary Committee – oversees all matters related to the Pennsylvania criminal justice system and the judicial branch of government.

• Law and Justice Committee – oversees activities of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the state’s wine, liquor and malt beverage industries. This committee also handles matters concerning the Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies at all levels throughout the Commonwealth.

• Urban Affairs and Housing Committee – oversees matters pertaining to public and private housing issues including programs offered through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority (PHFA). The committee also focuses on legislation addressing development and blight remediation in our state’s urban centers.

There are 22 standing committees in the Pennsylvania Senate. These committees play an important part in the legislative process. The committee process provides members with the ability to evaluate and re-evaluate an issue or bill at an early stage to develop amendments before a bill goes forward so that it is more likely to be considered by the entire General Assembly.

To view a schedule of upcoming hearings and meetings as well as committee reports for all Senate committees, please go to: http://www.pasen.gov/index.cfm.

As the 2013-2014 legislative session gets underway, I encourage you to contact me with your thoughts and opinions on issues we will be debating in the General Assembly. You can email me at Fontana@pasenate.com. You may also wish to visit my website, www.senatorfontana.com to view news releases and upcoming events, download forms and applications, research legislation, watch Senate session live, and sign up to receive my weekly News & Views E-newsletter. I also can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WayneDFontana.

Senator Wayne D. Fontana

42nd Senatorial District

www.senatorfontana.com