Senator Fuschillo Named Chairman of Senate Transportation Committee

              Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today was named Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee on Transportation by Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

            “The quality of our highways, roads, bridges and transportation systems is critical to our economy and plays a major role in our quality of life,” Senator Fuschillo said.  “Our challenge is to spend money wisely to ensure that our roads and bridges are safe and that the railroad and bus systems we depend on are run to serve the riders, not the other way around. People on Long Island and all New Yorkers deserve nothing less. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I will work hard to achieve these goals.”

            “Senator Fuschillo has an outstanding record on transportation issues, whether it’s standing up for commuters that ride the LIRR, fighting for road and bridge capital plans, or passing vital legislation to protect our families from drunk drivers,” Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said.  “The Senate Transportation Committee is unique in that its actions can impact the lives of people every day and Senator Fuschillo is absolutely the best person to lead it.”

            The Senate Transportation Committee oversees the work of the state’s transportation system including the Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Long Island Railroad), the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the New York State Thruway Authority, and other agencies.

             As the ranking Republican member on the committee over the last two years, Senator Fuschillo fought for Long Island’s fair share of transportation stimulus funds; spoke out strongly against the MTA payroll tax; and called for a five year capital plan for road and bridge projects to create jobs and keep the infrastructure safe.

            In addition, he continued his fight to take drunk drivers off the roads, serving as a sponsor of Leandra’s Law. The law created felony charges for those convicted of driving drunk with a child in the car, as well as require all convicted drunk drivers to install ignition interlocks in all their vehicles.

             Senator Fuschillo has also been appointed as a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Codes; Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business; Consumer Protection; Energy; Finance; Civil Service and Pensions; Health; and Judiciary.

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