State Rep. John McGinnis has announced that he has been appointed by Speaker of the House Sam Smith to serve on the House Aging and Older Adult Services, Labor and Industry, State Government, and Urban Affairs committees for the 2013-14 legislative session. Earlier this month, McGinnis began serving his first term in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

“These assignments are excellent opportunities for me to effectively contribute to important matters of public policy, particularly with regard to the people of the 79th District,” said McGinnis. “All bills must be addressed in committee and some of the most consequential pieces of legislation will come through these four committees.”

The Aging and Older Adult Services Committee considers legislation and issues affecting Pennsylvania’s elderly population, including programs and services supported by the state lottery; long term care, adult day care, elder abuse and the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program.

The Labor and Industry Committee addresses legislation and issues impacting Pennsylvania workers, including workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, minimum wage, prevailing wage, child labor law, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and job training.

The State Government Committee considers government reform proposals as well as legislation that deals with election laws, procurement law, Open Records Act, Sunshine Law, Public Officials and Employee Ethics Act, and the conveyance or leasing of state-owned property.

As a member of the Urban Affairs Committee, McGinnis will be involved in issues affecting the state’s largest cities including housing; urban redevelopment; economic development; land use planning and zoning; growth management; infrastructure financing; and city services such as police, fire, sewage and water.