Senator Oberacker Receives Committee Assignments

ALBANY, 01/07/21 -- State Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C – Schenevus) today announced his committee assignments for the 2021-22 legislative session.  Senator Oberacker will serve as ranking Republican of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse and the Senate Committee on Internet & Technology.  Additionally, Senator Oberacker will serve on the senate standing committees on education, health, higher education, and judiciary. 

Senator Peter Oberacker said, “Being tasked with leadership roles on two senate committees is a major responsibility.  Both of these key committees deal with vital issues that have intensified in need during the COVID pandemic.”

Regarding his assignment as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Internet & Technology, Senator Oberacker said, “High-speed broadband is a major need and many in my district and across upstate New York are being held back because they are unable to access this critical service.  In fact, I am the only sitting senator unable to access high-speed broadband while at home.  Regulatory roadblocks standing in the way of broadband expansion must be eliminated and additional funding to expedite growth is also needed.”   

Regarding his assignment as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, Senator Oberacker said, “Heroin and opioid abuse have inflicted a great deal of pain on individuals and families in recent years.  Just as we started to make some headway, the isolation of the COVID pandemic has left even more people in need of help with addictions of all types.  We need to ensure those in need are able to access and receive the appropriate services.”

Senator Oberacker’s other committee assignments will allow him to focus on key concerns within the 51^st Senate District and throughout New York State.

Regarding his Senate Education and Higher Education committee assignments, Senator Oberacker said,  “Our local public schools, colleges, and universities have dealt with unprecedented hardships over the past 10 months and continue to evolve to meet the needs of our young people.  To ensure a prosperous future for the next generation, the state needs to foster existing programs and explore new methods of educating our students.”

Regarding his Senate Health Committee assignment, Senator Oberacker said, “We are still in the midst of a global pandemic.  Strides are being made to return to normalcy, and I know we will bounce back.  I do have several concerns with our vaccine distribution plans and questions regarding data reporting that need to be addressed to help us both now and in the future.  We also need to review overreaching and expensive state mandates forced on our EMS first responders and volunteers.”  

Regarding his Senate Judiciary Committee assignment, Senator Oberacker said, “Our courts are overwhelmed, in part because of the COVID pandemic and also due to changes in bail reform and discovery laws.  New York State needs a fair and just judiciary system at all levels and that will be my focus.”  

-30-