Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) today was appointed to three Assembly Standing Committees by Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco (R,I,C-Schenectady-Saratoga). Hawley will serve on the Assembly committees on Social Services, Aging and Agriculture.

Hawley will serve as the ranking Minority member of the Assembly Committee on Social Services. As ranking Minority member, the assemblyman will lead his colleagues in addressing legislation that will affect programs that provide financial, medical and support services to in-need households in New York state. The committee may also deal with rising Medicaid costs, a major cause of skyrocketing property taxes.

On the Assembly Committee on Aging, the assemblyman will consider a wide range of topics such as real property taxation, health and community-based services. Issues may include assisted living facilities and rising prescription drug costs.

As a member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Hawley will be responsible for the development and evaluation of a wide variety of legislation related to the production, marketing, sales, development, and regulation of agriculture products.

“Committees are an important part of the legislative process,” said Hawley. “It’s important that I sit on these committees because I can influence first-hand legislation affecting our state’s agriculture industry, issues affecting senior citizens and our needy population, and helping to control high property taxes related to rising Medicaid costs.”