With the opening of the new state legislative session taking place this week, legislators from throughout the state will be going to Albany for the governor's State of the State address. It's also a time where assembly members and senators get their respective committee assignments and some are asked to join the leadership teams.

This year's Assembly leadership reshuffle in Albany saw a big promotion for Assemblyman Tom Alfano. Alfano was promoted to assistant minority leader. The promotion is a powerful post that the assemblyman says will reap great benefits for the 21st District. Alfano will now have a seat at the leadership table that will help craft the state budget and hammer out new laws in the next session.

In addition to his new leadership role, Alfano will hold the key posts as rankling member of the Assembly Labor and Emerging Workforce Committees. Rounding out his assignments, Alfano will hold spots on the Assembly Judiciary and Corporations Committees.

"This is a great honor for the west-end community," Assemblyman Alfano said. "I look forward to promoting my agenda of education, health care and job creation this session. Now our community will have a direct voice at the leadership table that will help craft the state's agenda. It will also allow me to work on issues regarding relieving our tax burden and issues related to diversity and economic opportunity for everyone. This is a big win for our community."

Newly elected leader, Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, chose Alfano for the post. "I am proud to appoint Tom Alfano to the position of assistant minority leader," he said. "Tom has faithfully served our conference for almost a decade and has been a progressive voice for his diverse constituency. I have no doubt that he will do a tremendous job in his new role."

State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos hailed the promotion as a big win for Nassau. "Assemblyman Alfano is a tremendous public servant and he is the perfect choice to become the Assembly's new assistant minority leader. Tom is a leader in our community, and now, he will have a greater role in shaping state policies to create high-paying new jobs, improve our schools and make health care more affordable."