Senate Democrats today announced their committee chairmanships for the 2013-2014 legislative session.
Local senators John Yudichak, of Plymouth Township, and John Blake, of Archbald, were among those given leadership positions.

�??The Senate Democratic committee chairs bring a wide range of experience and expertise to their individual committees,�?� Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said. �??With three additional members for the upcoming session, Senate Democrats look forward to playing an increasingly important role in crafting legislation and working through issues affecting all Pennsylvanians.�?�

Members assigned as Democratic chairs for standing committees are as follows:

Aging & Youth �?? Sen. Leanna Washington (Philadelphia/Montgomery)

Agriculture & Rural Affairs �?? Sen. Judy Schwank (Berks)

Appropriations �?? Sen. Vincent Hughes (Philadelphia/Montgomery)

Banking & Insurance �?? Sen. Mike Stack (Philadelphia)

Communications & Technology �?? Sen. Farnese (Philadelphia)

Community, Economic & Recreational Development �?? Sen. Wayne Fontana (Allegheny)

Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure �?? Sen. Lisa Boscola (Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe)

Education �?? Sen. Andrew Dinniman (Chester/Montgomery)

Environmental Resources & Energy �?? Sen. John Yudichak (Luzerne/Monroe/Carbon)

Finance �?? Sen. John Blake (Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe)

Games & Fisheries �?? Sen. Richard Kasunic (Fayette/Somerset/Washington/Westmoreland)

Intergovernmental Operations �?? Sen. Sean Wiley (Erie)

Judiciary �?? Sen. Daylin Leach (Montgomery/Delaware)

Labor & Industry �?? Sen. Tina Tartaglione (Philadelphia)

Law & Justice �?? Sen. Jim Ferlo (Allegheny/Westmoreland/Armstrong)

Local Government �?? Sen. Rob Teplitz (Dauphin/York)

Public Health & Welfare �?? Sen. Shirley Kitchen (Philadelphia)

Rules & Executive Nominations �?? Sen. Jay Costa (Allegheny)

State Government �?? Sen. Matt Smith (Allegheny/Washington)

Transportation �?? Sen. John Wozniak (Cambria/Clinton/Clearfield/Centre/Somerset)

Urban Affairs and Housing �?? Sen. Jim Brewster (Allegheny/Westmoreland)

Veteran�??s Affairs and Emergency Preparedness �?? Sen. Tim Solobay (Washington/Greene/Allegheny/Beaver/Westmoreland)