Senator Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, was selected as a member of four influential Senate Committees for the 2017 Legislative Session, including two he will serve on as vice chairman.

Although most committees will begin hearing legislation in February after bills are in print for the required 30 days, the powerful Rules Committee has already started their work of vetting gubernatorial appointments, and the Senate's policies and procedures.

Cannella will be a member of the Senate Standing Committees on:

• Energy, Utilities and Commerce;

• Governmental Organization;

• Transportation and Housing (vice chair);

• Rules (vice chair).

"Being selected by my colleagues for these committees is an honor," said Cannella. "It will give me the opportunity to continue my efforts of influencing policy that makes California a more prosperous state through job creation and economic growth."

Cannella has represented the 12th Senate District since January 2011. A lifelong Ceres resident, son of former state Assemblyman Sal Cannella and owner of a Modesto engineering firm, Cannella got his first taste of local government experience when he was appointed to the Ceres Planning Commission in 1999. He spent most of his municipal political career unopposed. While he did face opposition for his first Ceres City Council run in 2003, Cannella was unopposed for mayor in 2005 and 2007.

The 12th Senate District includes the western portion of Stanislaus County, including Ceres, Empire, Newman, Patterson, Turlock, Keyes, Grayson, Westley, and west and south Modesto. It also includes all of Merced County, some of Madera County, the eastern portion of Monterey County and some of San Benito County.

Cannella resides in Ceres with his wife Julie and four children.