Arlington's legislative delegation has recently been named to serve on committees on Beacon Hill for 2009-2010. Here is a list of those assignments received to date with some explanation below. Requests for a full list of Rep. Jay Kaufman's assignments remain unanswered.

Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly, Democrat of Arlington: chairman of Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs; vice chairman, Joint Committee on Education

Representative Sean Garballey, Democrat of Arlington: Committee on Labor and Workforce Development; Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture; and the Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.

Representative Will Brownsberger, Democrat of Belmont/Arlington: vice chairman, Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change; Public Service Committee; and the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets.

Representative Jay Kaufman, Democrat of Lexington/Arlington (partial list): Joint Committee on Revenue, co-chairman; and Joint Committee on Public Service, chairman.

Donnelly's assignments:

The Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, which was formed in 2005, is responsible for reviewing all legislation having to do with veterans and military service members or matters dealing with the federal government. In previous legislative sessions, the committee has held hearings and made recommendations to the General Court addressing the issues of veterans' healthcare, education benefits, post-traumatic stress disorder, compensation and pensions, employment and training, and National Guard matters. There are approximately 440,000 veterans who live in Massachusetts, including more than 29,000 who have served since Sept. 11, 2001.

"I am honored to be named Chairman of this committee that recognizes the service given by those who have worn the uniform and the families who support them," Donnelly said. "I look forward to working with the Committee to make sure their voices continue to be heard in Massachusetts."

The Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee is co-chaired by Representative Harold Naughton, Democrat of Clinton. Six members of the Senate and 11 members of the House will sit on the committee.

The Committee on Education reviews all legislation having to do with education of students through grade 12, including legislation having to do with instruction, licensing and professional development, special education, assessment, and school safety. "Educating our children must now, more than ever, be a priority. It is the most important investment we can make in the future to ensure a stable and prosperous Commonwealth," Donnelly said in a statement.

Garballey's assignments:

The committee on Labor and Workforce Development considers all matters concerning discrimination with respect to employment, the labor laws, worker's compensation and such other matters as may be referred.

The Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture works on all issues related to the Department of Conservation, environment, and agriculture.

The newly formed Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change investigates the issues involving global warming and climate change, including but not limited to carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energies. The committee explores viable solutions and other innovations that stimulate our economy, promote jobs, and protect our security and environment.

"I am grateful for being chosen to serve on these three committees during my next two years as a State Representative. To continue my work fighting
for working families on Beacon Hill, ending discrimination throughout all levels of our society and being able to shape policy on furthering economic progress on the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development is something that I am looking forward to," Garballey said.

"Last legislative session I was part of a group of legislators who championed for the passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act. Even though this act was passed and was signed by the governor we have so much more work to do as a civilization on the environment and working to reduce the impact of Global Warming. To serve on both environmental committees in the House of Representatives will allow me to continue to be a champion on environmental issues throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Brownsberger's assignments:

"These assignments will enhance my ability to pursue my ongoing interests in environmental protection and governmental cost control," he said in a recent e-mail. "I'm also very pleased to be part of the leadership team. There is a huge change in the committee leadership in the house. A great many very decent people were elevated.  By my rough count, well over half of the leadership positions were filled by people who previously had no leadership responsibility or much smaller leadership positions."

 

Rep. Kaufman's office has not provided a news release

Donnelly's assignments:

The Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, which was formed in 2005, is responsible for reviewing all legislation having to do with veterans and military service members or matters dealing with the federal government. In previous legislative sessions, the committee has held hearings and made recommendations to the General Court addressing the issues of veterans' healthcare, education benefits, post-traumatic stress disorder, compensation and pensions, employment and training, and National Guard matters. There are approximately 440,000 veterans who live in Massachusetts, including more than 29,000 who have served since Sept. 11, 2001.

"I am honored to be named Chairman of this committee that recognizes the service given by those who have worn the uniform and the families who support them," Donnelly said. "I look forward to working with the Committee to make sure their voices continue to be heard in Massachusetts."

The Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee is co-chaired by Representative Harold Naughton, Democrat of Clinton. Six members of the Senate and 11 members of the House will sit on the committee.

The Committee on Education reviews all legislation having to do with education of students through grade 12, including legislation having to do with instruction, licensing and professional development, special education, assessment, and school safety. "Educating our children must now, more than ever, be a priority. It is the most important investment we can make in the future to ensure a stable and prosperous Commonwealth," Donnelly said in a statement.

Garballey's assignments:

The committee on Labor and Workforce Development considers all matters concerning discrimination with respect to employment, the labor laws, worker's compensation and such other matters as may be referred.

The Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture works on all issues related to the Department of Conservation, environment, and agriculture.

The newly formed Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change investigates the issues involving global warming and climate change, including but not limited to carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energies. The committee explores viable solutions and other innovations that stimulate our economy, promote jobs, and protect our security and environment.

"I am grateful for being chosen to serve on these three committees during my next two years as a State Representative. To continue my work fighting
for working families on Beacon Hill, ending discrimination throughout all levels of our society and being able to shape policy on furthering economic progress on the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development is something that I am looking forward to," Garballey said.

"Last legislative session I was part of a group of legislators who championed for the passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act. Even though this act was passed and was signed by the governor we have so much more work to do as a civilization on the environment and working to reduce the impact of Global Warming. To serve on both environmental committees in the House of Representatives will allow me to continue to be a champion on environmental issues throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Brownsberger's assignments:

"These assignments will enhance my ability to pursue my ongoing interests in environmental protection and governmental cost control," he said in a recent e-mail. "I'm also very pleased to be part of the leadership team. There is a huge change in the committee leadership in the house. A great many very decent people were elevated.  By my rough count, well over half of the leadership positions were filled by people who previously had no leadership responsibility or much smaller leadership positions."