Assemblyman Matthew Slater (R,C-Yorktown) has been named Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology. In this role, Slater will play an important part in public policy and funding issues involving the state’s extensive network of public libraries.

“Libraries have the ability to enhance both our education system and our communities,” said Slater. “As Yorktown supervisor, I was proud of my work to expand online services, improve operational capabilities and house a passport processing center at the John C. Hart Memorial Library. I am looking forward to using this experience to help reimagine and strengthen the role of our libraries.”

In addition, Slater will serve on the Assembly’s Transportation Committee, Labor Committee, Real Property Committee, Government Operations Committee and Oversight and Investigations Committee.

“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to serve on committees that will impact the future of our state and the Hudson Valley and bring my experience to the state Assembly,” said Slater.

As Yorktown supervisor, Slater gained significant experience addressing transportation issues. Specifically, Slater invested an extra $1 million in town roads and infrastructure projects, including the Mohegan Avenue Retaining Wall, the Hill Boulevard Culvert, Veterans Road Culvert and Greenwood Street Culvert, and expedited the town’s repaving schedule. Slater also added $1.7 million to fund the streetscape project for Downing Drive as part of the local revitalization program.

In his role as town supervisor, Slater was responsible for managing Yorktown’s day-to-day operations and negotiating contracts with labor, including the Civil Service Employees Association, Superior Officers Association and Police Benevolent Association. Slater successfully secured multi-year labor contracts to ensure the continued delivery of vital town services.

As chief of staff to former Sen. Terrence Murphy, Slater ran the Senate’s Government Operations and Investigations Committee. In this role, Slater worked with Sen. Murphy, who chaired the committee, and other committee members to investigate and hold the Cuomo Administration accountable.

In his three years serving as Yorktown supervisor, Slater held the line on real property taxes—passing the town’s first property tax cut in 30 years and a subsequent second cut. Despite the fiscal implications of the pandemic on town government, Slater slashed town spending by more than $4 million to protect property taxpayers.

Slater concluded, “I want to thank Assembly Minority Leader Barclay for appointing me to these important roles. With the State of the State Address and the upcoming release of the governor’s Executive Budget on the horizon, I’m looking forward to getting to work and beginning my first legislative session in the state Assembly.”