Committee musical chairs in the Assembly and Senate

After months of speculation by lobbyists, government staffers and even state lawmakers, the legislative leaders are set to reveal their committee chair decisions as part of the first day of the legislative session on Wednesday, but in advance of those formal announcements we’ve got some informed guesses about what to expect in 2025.

The following speculation on existing vacancies is based on discussions with state lawmakers and lobbyists, a trip around the Legislative Office Building to see who is moving offices, and inferences based on more than a decade of following the activities of the state Senate and Assembly.

I’m feeling very confident about the following committee assignments:

• Assembly Higher Education: Alicia Hyndman
• Assembly Racing & Wagering: Carrie Woerner
• Assembly Veterans’ Affairs: Steve Stern
• Senate Disabilities: Patricia Fahy
• Senate Cities II: April Baskin (UPDATE on Wednesday afternoon: I have reason to believe this is wrong and a different upstate freshman is getting the committee)

There has been a lot of talk about who would land the Senate Insurance Committee and it’s my understanding that Senators James Skoufis and Andrew Gounardes, two possible contenders, will be staying put. Another name that was bandied about by lobbyists and staffers was Sen. Roxanne Persaud, but I have it from a reliable source that she is staying with Social Services. My prediction is that a senator no one is watching for this committee will make a move, which could create other vacancies.

A big prize in the Assembly is the Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committee, which is typically run by someone in the MTA region, so that opens the door for a long list of lawmakers. One name that came up repeatedly was Assemblyman Steve Otis, but the word is he’s happy with the Assembly Science & Technology Committee. Depending on the odds that a bookmaker would give me, I would put my money on corporations going to Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, a suburban voice with more than a decade in the chamber.

The Assembly Mental Health Committee is up for grabs and it’s rumored that Assemblyman Phil Steck wants to move there. Staying in the Capital Region, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara and his 12 years of seniority is likely getting a new committee, but Assemblyman John McDonald is probably staying put at Assembly Government Operations Committee since he isn’t moving to higher education.

Based on a press release that went out in December and then was disavowed, Assemblyman Ron Kim could be taking over the Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee.

Assuming Senate Cities II has a new chair then Sen. Rachel May seems like the frontrunner for the Senate Consumer Protection Committee. This could have been a potential home for Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, but the scuttlebutt is she’s happy with what she can do at the Senate Internet & Technology Committee.

I am at a loss for who will replace Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry on the dais of the Assembly chamber. Theoretically this is a desirable job, since it is one of the few leadership positions that still comes with a stipend. It’s also a pain in the butt because you have to be in the chamber (and awake) for most of the time the Assembly is in session. The names that have been suggested to me include Assembly members Michael Benedetto and Pamela Hunter, although I had initially thought Assemblyman D. Billy Jones, who filled in on the dais in the past, might be in the running.

And in an alternate reality, check out my post on the potential rankers in the state Senate and Assembly.