CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, Niagara County, said this afternoon that he spoke with Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson yesterday and would be “very interested” in serving as chairman of the Senate Energy Committee.

Maziarz is one of three Republicans that Senate Democrats have reached out to for possible committee chairmanships. The others are Republican Sens. Thomas Morahan of Rockland County and Joseph Robach of Monroe County.

Maziarz served as Energy Committee chairman last year, before Democrats won the majority in January and appointed Sen. Kevin Parker, D-Brooklyn, to the post. But Parker was stripped of the position earlier this year after he was indicted on assault charges.

Now Sen. Darrel Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, is the chairman and also serves as Senate Agricultural Committee chairman. The position carries a $12,500 stipend.

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