Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino was recently appointed as the ranking minority member on the Assembly Governmental Employees Committee. Saladino will also serve as a representative on the Assembly Social Services and Education committees. Both appointments were made by Assembly Republican Leader Charles Nesbitt (R,C - Albion).

"I look forward to serving as the ranking Republican on the Governmental Employees Committee," said Saladino. "This committee has jurisdiction over two major consolidated laws: the civil service law and the retirement and social security law. It is of utmost importance to protect the hard working people who teach our children, protect our safety and provide the high quality government services we enjoy in this state."

According to Saladino, the committee's principle areas of interest and responsibility include: civil service and public work force administration; labor relations; public retirement systems organization, administration and benefits; and employee/retiree health insurance.

According to Saladino, his other appointments include:

The Assembly Social Services Committee which is responsible for the development and evaluation of a wide variety of legislation affecting programs providing financial, medical and support services to indigent households in New York state. The work of the committee also affects the aged, blind and disabled residing in residential care facilities. The committee has legislative oversight responsibilities for programs administered by the Department of Family Assistance (DFA).

The Assembly Education Committee, which considers legislation dealing with all facets of elementary and secondary education including: educational services for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 in both regular and special education; curriculum; teachers and other school personnel; school district administration; school safety; school buildings; school transportation; non-public schools; charter schools; and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). The committee is also involved in the election of the members of the state Board of Regents.

"I am honored to have been chosen by Assemblyman Nesbitt to hold this important leadership position," said Saladino. "I look forward to working with members of this committee and being able to pass legislation to help public employees at both the state and local levels of government," said Saladino.