Assembly Action Highlights
The Week Ending February 4-8, 2008

Dan Weiller, Press Secretary

Speaker Silver Selects New Energy Committee Chair

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver named Assemblyman Kevin Cahill to chair the Energy Committee.

"During the twelve years that Kevin Cahill has served in the Assembly, he has earned a reputation as a dedicated and effective legislator who gets results for his constituents and all New Yorkers," Silver said. "I know that he will bring the same level of commitment to his leadership of the Energy Committee."

"As Energy Committee chair, I will focus on balancing vital power needs, job creation and economic development with affordability, efficiency and protection of the environment and public health. I will continue to be a strong advocate for promoting innovations in clean, renewable technology as a way to address our energy and global climate change challenges, and to position New York as the leader in clean, renewable power," said Cahill, who has served in the Assembly for 12 years, representing parts of Ulster County.

Cahill previously chaired the Ethics and Guidance Committee and also served in the Ulster County Legislature from 1986 to 1992, where he was Minority Leader.

Legislature Continues To Review Governor's Budget Proposal

Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman "Denny" Farrell and Senate Finance Committee Chair Owen Johnson continued to examine Gov. Eliot Spitzer's 2008-09 Executive Budget proposal. Farrell and Johnson took testimony on budget issues related to elementary and secondary education, human services, health, Medicaid and public protection programs.

The Legislature has completed more than half of the 12 scheduled hearings and will proceed with the final four next week in Hearing Room "B." Economic Development and Taxation issues related to the budget will be reviewed at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, February 11. On Tuesday, February 12, at 9:15 a.m., proposals affecting environmental conservation will be heard, and at 3:00 p.m., the focus will be on workforce issues. At 9:30 a.m., transportation matters will be examined on Wednesday, February 13.