Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-25), president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, has announced committee chairmanship assignments for the Senate's 22 Senate Standing Committees.

"We are fortunate to have members from various backgrounds and regions across our Commonwealth who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Harrisburg," Scarnati said. "Membership of committees will be announced prior to the reconvening of the Senate on January 22, 2013."

Republicans still control the Senate, but they will have a smaller margin for the 2013-14 session. The GOP lost 3 Senate seats in the November election, making the party breakdown for the next two-year session, 27-23 in favor of Republicans. 

Senate Standing Committee Chair Assignments:

• Aging & Youth – Senator Bob Mensch (R-24)
• Agriculture & Rural Affairs – Senator Elder A. Vogel, Jr. (R-47)
• Appropriations – Senator Jake Corman (R-34)
• Banking & Insurance – Senator Don White (R-41)
• Communications & Technology – Senator Randy Vulakovich (R-40)
• Community, Economic & Recreational Development – Senator Kim L. Ward (R-39)
• Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure – Senator Robert M. Tomlinson (R-6)
• Education – Senator Mike Folmer (R-48)
• Environmental Resources & Energy – Senator Gene Yaw (R-23)
• Finance – Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36)
• Game & Fisheries – Senator Richard Alloway (R-33)
• Inter-governmental Operations – Senator-elect Scott E. Hutchinson (R-21)
• Judiciary – Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-12)
• Labor & Industry – Senator John R. Gordner (R-27)
• Law & Justice – Senator Charles T. McIlhinney, Jr. (R-10)
• Local Government – Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30)
• Public Health & Welfare – Senator Patricia H. Vance (R-31)
• Rules & Executive Nominations – Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-9)
• State Government – Senator Lloyd K. Smucker (R-13)
• Transportation – Senator John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-44)
• Urban Affairs & Housing – Senator David G. Argall (R-29)
• Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness – Senator Lisa Baker (R-20)