By PATRICK CLOONAN Daily News Staff Writer

pcloonan@dailynewsemail.com

In the wake of a controversy in Harrisburg over reforming committee assignments, area state lawmakers are announcing where they’ve been placed for the upcoming General Assembly session.

“I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues on each committee,” state Rep. Marc J. Gergely, D-White Oak, said after he was named Democratic vice chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee on which he previously was majority vice chairman.

Gergely also was named to minority posts on the Game and Fisheries, Human Services and Professional Licensure committees.

He’ll be joined on the latter by Rep. William C. Kortz II, D-Dravosburg, and minority chairman Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Carrick.

Kortz also was named to Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Professional Licensure and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committees.

Gergely and Kortz, both of whom represent McKeesport and West Mifflin in the state House, were among those who spoke up after

the Republican leadership proposed changes which included taking one minority seat away from each committee.

The GOP leadership also proposed restrictions on bringing amendments to the House floor.

Republican leaders later withdrew all the proposals.

Also locally, Rep. Paul Costa, D-Wilkins Township, was named to Appropriations, Gaming Oversight, Liquor Control and Transportation committees.

Rep. George Dunbar, R-Penn Township, was named to Finance, Gaming Oversight, Local Government and State Government committees.

Rep. R. Ted Harhai, D-Monessen, was named minority chairman of the House Committee On Committees, which primarily tracks the status of the various committee members and subcommittee officers.

He also was named to the Environmental Resources & Energy, Liquor Control, Local Government and Transportation committees.

Rep. Joseph F. Markosek, D-Monroeville, former majority chairman of the Transportation Committee, is serving as minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee and also will sit on the House Rules Committee.

Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Elizabeth Township, was named to Children & Youth, Environmental Resources & Energy, Judiciary and Urban Affairs committees.