HARRISBURG, Noviembre 14, 2012 – – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) has been reelected to serve as Democratic Chairman of the state Senate Appropriations Committee.
This is the second time Hughes was elected to the position by Senate Democrats.
“I am honored that my colleagues have once again chosen me to serve as Democratic Chairman of the Appropriations Committee,” Hughes said. “My Democratic colleagues have trusted me to lead them on appropriations and budget issues and that is very humbling.
“I am very appreciative and anxious to move the caucus agenda forward in the next session.”
The Appropriations Committee is charged with the consideration of legislation that determines how state dollars are budgeted and spent. It is one of the most influential committees in the General Assembly.
During his first term as Democratic Appropriations Chairman, Hughes worked extensively on state fiscal issues.
Hughes said that during his first term as Democratic Appropriations Chair he built bipartisan relationships with Senate Republicans that helped advance many important initiatives. He said he was also able to lead the charge in calling the Corbett Administration to task on numerous missteps and ill-advised policy decisions.
“There is a tremendous amount of work to do as we continue to rebuild Pennsylvania’s workforce and economy,” Hughes said. “I look forward to joining my colleagues in the effort to put Pennsylvanians back to work in quality, family-sustaining jobs and creating a brighter economic future for all.”
Hughes previously served as Democratic Caucus Chairman from 2008-2010. He has been a member of the state Senate since Noviembre of 1994. Prior to coming to the Senate, he was a member of the state House of Representatives from 1987-1994.
Hughes has championed issues that directly impact working families. He helped spearhead efforts to raise the minimum wage and continues to fight to establish a statewide jobs program.
Hughes said that he and his fellow Democrats and have crafted a solid jobs plan called PA Works that will help pull Pennsylvania out of the economic slump. The Democratic plan uses infrastructure investments, job training, technology development, and targeted initiatives to grow the economy and invest in our people.
“As Pennsylvania continues to lag behind national economic recovery, we must redirect our priorities to create family-sustaining jobs and boost our fragile economy,” Hughes said.
“As Democratic chair of the Appropriations Committee I am in a position to move legislative proposals that will put people back to work.”
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Please visit State Senator Vincent Hughes on the web at www.senatorhughes.com, as well as @SenatorHughes (Twitter) and Senator Vincent Hughes (Facebook).