District 9 Representatives Pick Up New, Retain Old Committee Assignments

The District 9 legislators who represent Galloway Township officially received their committee assignments for the 2012-2013 legislative session, the legislators announced on Monday, Jan. 30.

Sen. Christopher J. Connors will remain on the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, as well as the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

“Continuing to serve on the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee will allow me to advocate on behalf of the thousands of veterans who reside in the Ninth District," Connors said. "Increasing access to health care and expanding employment opportunities are two key issues which must continue to be prioritized by our state.” 

Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove will also continue her service on the Miltary and Veterans' Affairs Committee on the Assembly side.

“It’s truly a privilege to be reappointed to the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee," Gove said. "During my tenure in the Legislature, the Committee has refused to engage in the type of partisan politics that so many have come to disdain and, instead, has worked collectively in a bipartisan manner to improve the quality of life for our veterans.”

She will pick up two new assignments, making her initial appearances on both the Assembly's Higher Education Committee and the Tourism and Arts Committee.

"Redistricting changed the composition of the Ninth District which now includes and Gove said. "Serving on the Higher Education Committee will place me in a strong position to advance policy that allows Stockton and other institutions to effectively fulfill their educational mandates and reverse the alarming trend where too many of our brightest students are leaving the state to attend college elsewhere.

“Tourism is a crucial industry in the economies of Ocean and Atlantic counties. Serving on the Tourism and the Arts Committee will allow me to better represent my constituents’ interests, including the small businesses tied to this industry.   To recover economically, our state must promote its tremendous tourism resources, such as Atlantic City, and pristine beaches as world-class vacation destination spots.”

Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf will rejoin the the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. He will also be a part of the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee for the first time, but he serves as the ranking Republican on each committee.

"Maintaining and improving our state’s transportation infrastructure system, while also controlling commuting costs for motorists, remain significant challenges for our state,” Rumpf said.  “The economic downturn requires the Committee to advance fiscally sound policy initiatives which can be achieved through the Transportation Capital Program and limitations of the State Budget.”