furutani Assemblymember Warren T. Furutani, whose 55th District cuts across multiple cities in Greater Long Beach, announced via press release today that he has been appointed chair of the Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security (PERSS) by Assembly Speaker John Perez.

The committee’s jurisdiction includes oversight of the public retirement administration and investment strategy, classified school employees, public employee collective bargaining and judges’ retirement law.

The appointment gives Furutani a key role in one of the major issues facing California’s economically struggling government—the pensions of public-sector employees—and he acknowledged as much in a quote included in the press release.

“I’m honored to serve as chair of the Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security. This is a critical role since pension reform is a key priority as we work to resolve the structural budget deficit California faces every year,” Furutani said via the release. “I am eager to oversee our country’s largest pension system while continuing to protect working families and ensuring government accountability through transparency. I look forward to working with Governor-elect Jerry Brown, Speaker John Pérez and the leadership in California as we work towards economic recovery during these tough budget times.”

Furutani’s also sits on Assemblycommittees on Transportation, Utilities and Commerce, and Labor and Employment.

The 55th district ranges from Carson, Harbor City and the Harbor Gateway, through Lakewood, parts of Long Beach, and Wilmington.