Westchester Insider: Westchester County Board of Legislators:

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 10, 2022

 

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2022-2023 LEGISLATIVE TERM.

New Committees Created on Health, Human Services/Equity.

 

White Plains, NY — As she completes her first week in office, Chairwoman Catherine Borgia has announced the Board of Legislators' committee assignments for the 2022-2023 term, including the creation of two new committees to address important needs in changing times.

A new, dedicated Health Committee will take a deep dive into the COVID-19 pandemic, its long term physical and mental health impacts, disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, and other matters. The committee will be chaired by Leg. Jewel Williams Johnson.

Chairwoman Borgia said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the crucial nature of the work of the County’s Departments of Health and of Community Mental Health. It has also highlighted deep and disparate health care needs across communities in Westchester.  It is the right time for us to have a committee focused on those needs and we’re fortunate to have a legislator with a professional public health background in Jewel Williams Johnson to lead this new committee.”

The newly created Human Services/Equality Committee will examine social services, women’s issues, matters impacting people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, veterans, and other issues of racial and ethnic equity. It will be chaired by Leg. Catherine Parker.

Borgia said, “The establishment of this committee reflects the Board's dedication to ensuring equity for all Westchester residents as a core mission. I’m grateful to Leg. Parker for helping to lead our efforts to address issues of equity in an ongoing, programmatic way.”

Leg. Vedat Gashi will take over as Chair of the Board's Budget and Appropriations Committee. Leg. Colin Smith will helm the Board's Legislation Committee.  These committees are mandated by the County Charter.

In other committee assignments, Leg. James Nolan will chair Appointments. Leg. Erika Pierce will chair Environment and Energy. Leg. Ben Boykin will chair the Committee on Economic Development.  Leg. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels will chair Housing. Leg. Damon Maher will chair Law and Major Contracts. Leg. David Tubiolo will chair Parks and Recreation. Leg. Terry Clements will chair Public Safety. Leg. MaryJane Shimsky will chair Public Works and Transportation. Leg. Jose Alvarado will chair Seniors and Youth. 

The Rules Committee will be chaired by the Majority and Minority Leaders -- Christopher Johnson and Margaret Cunzio respectively.

Borgia said, "I'm pleased that we've been able to move quickly to put the new term's committee structure in place so that the Board can get to work without delay. I want to thank all the incoming committee chairs and committee members for what I know will be their diligent, committed service.” 

Committee meetings are expected to begin the week of January 24.

A full list of the new committee assignments can be viewed at https://www.westchesterlegislators.com/images/PDF/2022-23-BOL-Committees.pdf