I am pleased and honored to announce that James Maloney will continue to serve as Vice Chairman. Jim will be Chairing the Session in February and I trust that Jim will continue to do an outstanding job whenever he is called upon.   Thank you, Jim.

I am also pleased to keep all of the Chairs of the 2017 Standing Committees the same as they were last year.  After consulting with Majority Leader Maio and Minority Leader Rodriguez, I have decided that the 2017 Standing Committee assignments will remain the same as the 2016 with one small addition;  I am making the Laws and Rules Committee a 7 member committee and welcome Legislators Craig Lopez and Peter Loughran to that Committee.

Thank you all again for the privilege of serving as your Chairman.