SACRAMENTO – Senator Ted Gaines (R–Rocklin) today announced he has been appointed to serve as a member of both the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and the Legislative Ethics Committee for the remainder of the 2011-12 legislative session.

“I am honored to have been given these additional committee assignments in critical areas that affect the lives of all Californians,” said Gaines. “I will work hard to achieve bipartisan solutions to the important issues facing our state and defend the interests of hard-working taxpayers.”

The Budget and Fiscal Review Committee reviews legislation dealing with the state budget. The Committee breaks the budget into broad subject matters (such as Education, Resources, Health and Human Services, State Administration or Public Safety) and assigns committee members to these subcommittees. Senator Gaines will serve on the Education subcommittee.

“For years I have been calling for structural reform to California’s budget process,” said Gaines. “As a small business owner, I have to cut back when times are tight and find ways to save money while providing the same services more efficiently. Government should be taking that same approach. While on the Budget Committee, I will advocate for the needs and priorities of California taxpayers and bring discipline and responsibility to the budget process.”

The Legislative Ethics Committee is responsible for governing members and employees of the Legislature with respect to all ethics laws and works to maintain the public’s trust by making sure the Legislature’s business is done in a manner consistent with the standards laid out in the State Constitution.

“I take this responsibility very seriously and will work hard to make sure we are maintaining the people’s trust in their government by holding the Legislature accountable,” said Gaines. “Californians must be assured that their elected officials are conducting their business in a moral and ethical manner.”

Senator Gaines will remain in his posts as vice chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee and the Transportation and Housing Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee and the Public Employment and Retirement Committee.

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento and Sierra counties.