Thiele, Solages move up in Assembly leadership shuffle
ALBANY - The Assembly leadership will change slightly for 2019 with a new majority leader from Buffalo and a deputy speaker from Queens, both of whom are women, according to an announcement Tuesday by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
Assmb. Catherine Nolan (D-Queens), the longtime Education Committee chairwoman, was promoted to deputy speaker. She replaces Earlene Hooper (D-Hempstead), who lost her re-election bid in November. After 30 years in officer Hooper was beaten by community activist Taylor Raynor, a Democrat. Two other Long Island legislators moved up in the shuffle.
Among Long Islanders:
-Assemb. Fred Thiele Jr. (I-Sag Habor) was named chairman of the Local Governments Committee. He moves up from chair of the Small Business Committee.
-- Assemb. Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont) was named head of the Task Force on Farm, Food and Nutrition, a new assignment for her.
-- Assemb. Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) was re-named deputy majority leader.
-- Assmb. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) was re-named chairman of the Elections Committee.
-Assemb. Stephen Englebright (D-Setauket) will remain chairman of the Environmental Conservation Committee.
On Monday, Heastie announced that Assmb. Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) will be the new majority leader, the chamber’s No. 2 position. Stokes succeeds Joseph Morrelle of Rochester, who was elected to Congress this year,
Among other key appointments:
-Assemb. Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) was named Education Committee chairman to succeed Nolan.
-Assmb. Helene Weinstein (D-Brooklyn) will remain chairwoman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee through which most legislative must be approved.
-Assmb. Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn ) was renamed assistant speaker.
-Assmb. Jeffrion Aubry (D-Queens) will remain speaker pro tempore and will continue to conduct most daily legislative sessions.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
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