Rep. Causer Chairing Two House Subcommittees

HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) will chair two House subcommittees during the 2009-10 Legislative Session, giving him a lead role in addressing issues vital to the state's economy.

Causer was appointed by Republican Leader Sam Smith to chair the Subcommittee on Financial Services and Banking of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, and for the second consecutive session, the Subcommittee on Parks and Forests of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

"Our parks and forests are valuable natural resources that contribute substantially to our state's economy through the tourism and timber industries," Causer said. "The proper management of these resources is vital to our region's economic future."

The committee as a whole must work to boost the state's energy production, specifically facilitating the harvest of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale. "We should remain focused on efforts to develop alternative energy sources that will work in tandem with our traditional energy sources to keep costs down and move us closer to energy independence," Causer said.

The lawmaker is also pleased to have a voice in ensuring proper oversight of the state's financial industry.

"The nation's economic downturn is due, in part, to bad practices by some of our country's biggest banks and financial institutions," Causer said. "As uncertainty about this industry continues, I look forward to being able to work on behalf of the people of the 67th Legislative District to ensure their finances are protected here in Pennsylvania."

In addition to his subcommittee role, Causer said he would like to see the Commerce and Economic Development Committee take a more active role in job retention and job creation in the Commonwealth.

"Creating family-sustaining jobs has long been a challenge for our region and indeed, the state as a whole," Causer said. "Many people have already lost their jobs and their homes. We must act now to preserve the jobs we still have and attract new ones that will provide hard-working Pennsylvanians with family-sustaining wages."

Causer is also returning to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, to which he brings his experience as a long-time EMS volunteer.

"Pennsylvania's veterans and emergency service providers are some of our state's most valuable citizens, and it is up to us to ensure they have the resources they need to continue serving our county, our Commonwealth and our communities," Causer said.

This session, Causer will also continue his service as chairman of the Legislative Timber Caucus and vice chairman of the Firefighter and Emergency Services Caucus. The lawmaker is now serving his fourth term in the state House.