Assemblyman Heath Flora, who represents the state's 12th District, announced on Monday that he has been appointed to six different Assembly committees, including an appointment to Vice Chair of the Labor and Employment Committee.

In addition to his Vice Chairmanship role, Flora will also serve on the Natural Resources Committee, the Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management and the Committee on Agriculture.

A lifelong farmer, Flora has promised to fight for farmers and landowners in the Central Valley during his time serving on the agriculture committee. Flora represents nearly 500,000 residents of the 12th District, which spans two of the top agriculturally productive counties in the state, San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

"If you grow, harvest, pack, distribute, or otherwise do business in California's agriculture industry then I am proud to say you have one of your own on this very important committee," said Flora. "The Central Valley has another ally in Sacramento."

Flora, a first-time Assemblyman, made the well-being of local growers a top priority during his campaign last year, adamantly opposing the State Water Board's plan to take valuable water away from the Valley by increasing unimpeded river flows from the tributaries of the San Joaquin River.

Flora's district includes 60 percent of Stanislaus County, including Hughson, Turlock, half of Modesto, Oakdale, Riverbank and a sliver of east Ceres. It also includes a quarter of San Joaquin County, including Mantecam Ripon, Lathrop and Escalon.