Harrisburg – January 23, 2017 – State Sen. James Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today his Democratic committee chairmanships and his membership on key committees will help push key issues that are important to the citizens of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

“I am very pleased to be appointed Democratic chair of the Law and Justice and Game and Fisheries committees,” Brewster said. “My other committee assignments also put me in position to be a strong advocate for issues impacting the citizens of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.”

Brewster was also selected to be on the Appropriations, Banking and Insurance, Education, Local Government, Transportation and Policy committees.

The McKeesport lawmaker was elected to the Senate in 2010. He has close to 30 years of experience in the private sector and he eventually rose to become a vice-president at Mellon Bank. Additionally, for many years Brewster served on council in McKeesport and was its mayor prior to his election to the Senate.

“My experiences both in private business and public service have given me a unique perspective that comes into play when I am evaluating legislative proposals,” Brewster said. “It also gives me a strong foundation to build a significant legislative portfolio.”

Brewster is the prime sponsor of several far-reaching legislative pieces, including a charter school’s accountability bill, a package of legislation requiring the use of domestic steel in shale well drilling, an energy tax plan called “Extraction for Education” and several legislative reform items.

“I have a wide range of legislative interests that I’ve drafted into proposals,” Brewster said. “The bills have been designed to address issues that are important to citizens in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.”

As a life-long outdoors enthusiast, Brewster said that he we very happy with his re-appointment as Democratic chair of the committee that deals with hunting and fishing.
“There are so many issues impacting sportsmen and women that are important to my district,” Brewster said.

Brewster was appointed to the committees by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa.

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