SACRAMENTO – Senator Ted Gaines, R—Roseville, today announced that he has been appointed by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg to serve as vice chair of both the Senate Insurance Committee and the Transportation and Housing Committee for the 2011-12 legislative session. Gaines has also been appointed to serve as a member of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee and the Public Employment and Retirement Committee.

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

The Senate Insurance Committee reviews legislation dealing with insurance issues (with the exception of health insurance), workers compensation and unemployment compensation.

“As the owner of my own local insurance agency, I know first-hand the issues facing small businesses and consumers today,” Gaines said. “I am pleased to have a seat at the table where important decisions are being made about critical issues facing California’s insurance industry.”

The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee reviews legislation dealing with all transportation issues including registration and licensing as well as housing and building standards, redevelopment and disaster preparedness.

“As a member of the Transportation and Housing Committee, I will fight to help lower the costs and burdens homeowners face and work to improve our state’s ailing road and transportation system,” Gaines said. “Managing California’s transportation infrastructure is vital to the future growth of our entire region.”

The Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee reviews all legislation that relates to California’s elections and amendments to the state constitution. And as a member of the Public Employment and Retirement Committee, Gaines will review legislation relating to public employee collective bargaining and public retirement administration and investment strategy.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve on several committees where I will be able to better advocate for the needs and priorities of hard-working Californians,” Gaines said. “I look forward to crafting fiscally-responsible solutions to our state’s broken pension system. Attacking these problems won’t be easy, but it’s time the Legislature took on the difficult tasks required to bring much-needed relief to California’s families.”

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.