State Senator Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen) has been appointed Ranking Member on the General Assembly’s Finance Committee for the 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions. The appointment was announced Thursday by Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-Fairfield), who also assigned Roraback to serve as the ranking senator on the Regulations Review Committee and as a member of the Environment and Judiciary committees.

“I am honored to be entrusted with the responsibility to serve as ranking senator on the Finance Committee and to take on additional responsibilities on other important committees,” said Senator Roraback. “The Finance committee will be ground zero for addressing the state’s growing budget deficit and our challenge is great. Never have the needs of the people of Connecticut been greater and never has state government’s ability to meet those needs been more diminished. Nevertheless, through shared sacrifice and responsible governing, we will emerge from this recession.”

“Appointing a new ranking member to the Finance Committee was one of the most important decisions I had to make with respect to committee assignments,” said Senator McKinney. “Andrew’s experience and even handed approach to dealing with difficult issues will be invaluable as we work to balance our budget deficits in the weeks and months ahead.”

In addition to his appointment to the Finance Committee, Senator Roraback, who has been repeatedly recognized for his leadership on environmental issues, has also been assigned to the Environment Committee. During his 14 years of legislative service, Roraback has consistently supported legislation focused on clean air and water, farmland and open space preservation, control of invasive plants, forestry management, funding for greenways and the protection of historic landscapes – issues he will continue to prioritize in his new position.

Senator Roraback will continue to serve on the Judiciary Committee and as a ranking member of the Regulations Review Committee.