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For Immediate Release
January 18, 2007
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Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Chairman Brubaker
Announces Committee Membership
HARRISBURG – Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
Chairman Mike Brubaker (R-36) today released the full membership of the
Committee for the 2007-2008 session.
"Our Committee is represented by a broad cross-section of
senators from all across the Commonwealth, and each member has a wealth of
insight and experience on the issues facing our rural communities, our
agriculture industry and consumers in general," Brubaker said.
Brubaker was selected as Committee Chairman in December,
with former Chairman Mike Waugh (R-28) now serving as Vice Chairman.
"Over the last six years, it has been an honor to serve as
the Committee Chairman, and I am very pleased that Senator Brubaker has been
appointed to take on this responsibility," Waugh said. "I look forward to
serving on the Committee as his Vice Chair, and I am confident that together
as a Committee, we will accomplish a tremendous amount for the agriculture
and rural communities throughout Pennsylvania."
Sen. Michael O'Pake (D-11) will continue to serve as
Minority Chair.
"Agriculture is Pennsylvania's number one industry and has
always enjoyed strong bipartisan support," O'Pake said. "During the past six
years I have enjoyed my working partnership with Senator Waugh on the
Agriculture Committee, and I look forward to continuing that relationship
with Senator Brubaker."
Committee members include:
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Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) of Lancaster County,
Chair
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Sen. Mike Waugh (R-28) of York County, Vice Chair
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Sen. Michael O'Pake (D-11) of Berks County,
Minority Chair
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Sen. Roger Madigan (R-23) of Bradford County
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Sen. Terry Punt (R-33) of Franklin County
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Sen. Mike Folmer (R-48) of Lebanon County
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Sen. John Eichelberger (R-30) of Blair County
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Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-3) of Philadelphia County
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Sen. Sean Logan (D-45) of Allegheny County
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Sen. John Wozniak (D-35) of Cambria County
Brubaker has outlined several priorities for the upcoming
session, including a new focus on the "rural" aspect of the Committee by
promoting economic development in rural areas and exploring ways to promote
greater access and affordability to quality health care in rural communities.
Additionally, Brubaker plans to investigate methods to
streamline existing regulations and prevent new regulations on the agriculture
community when they add compliance costs without a proven substantive
environmental or social benefit; further promote the production of
agriculturally-derived alternative fuels; and ensure the viability of crucial
agriculture programs is maintained during the 2007-0808 state budget
negotiations.
"I look forward to exploring each member's unique perspectives
on how we can improve the quality of life in our rural communities and keep our
state's agriculture industry strong, healthy and profitable for our farmers. I
am very optimistic that we will be able to use our combined experience to pursue
an ambitious agenda in the upcoming session," Brubaker said.
Contact:
Kristin Ebersole
Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Executive Director
717-787-4420
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