Assemblyman Tom Alfano has been designated as a representative to the Public Protection, Criminal Justice and Judiciary Committee of the State Legislature Budget Conference Committee. Alfano will be a representative of the State Assembly in joint negotiations on the state budget.

"I'm really honored to be recognized by my colleagues in this appointment. I look forward to working with the Senate and the governor in the process," he said.

Assembly Leader John Faso made the announcement of Alfano as his choice to the committee by noting, "Tom Alfano is a strong voice in the Assembly and is very effective in fighting for his constituents. I am very pleased to appoint him to this very important post."

This will be Alfano's second appointment to the budget-making body. He served last year on the environmental conservation, housing and transportation committee. Alfano will be a representative of the Assembly in the process on the public protection committee.

"My priorities in the process will be to keep funding for the SWIFT program which is a gun interdiction program, a new local police technology program and a smart children abduction protection program," Alfano said, adding "each of these programs will be welcome additions to our local police in keeping our neighborhoods safe."