State Representative Carl Sciortino has been appointed by Speaker Salvatore DiMasi to serve as a member of the Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference (CSG/ERC) Transportation Committee for 2007-08.

“I’ve focused a lot of energy on improving public transportation in my district,” said Sciortino. “As a member of this committee, I will be able to work with people from around the country on transportation issues that affect our entire region. I’m going to work for an economically competitive, integrated, and affordable system that will best serve communities throughout Massachusetts and beyond.

The CSG/ERG conference will take place in August in Quebec. Sciortino will join senior elected and appointed colleagues representing the northeastern states from Maine to Delaware as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Canadian Provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Quebec.

DiMasi said Sciortino was a good fit for the task because of his expertise in transportation issues. 

“Carl Sciortino has shown a keen knowledge and understanding of the transportation issues affecting our Commonwealth,” said DiMasi. “I know that he will serve Massachusetts well as a member of this committee.”

“I am honored by the trust Speaker DiMasi has placed in me,” said Sciortino. “I am looking forward to representing the interests of our district and all of Massachusetts.”

Sciortino said his priorities in the legislature have included the Green Line extension into Somerville and Medford, debt relief for the MBTA, and expanded use of car sharing in Massachusetts. He serves on the Joint Committee on Transportation.

The Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference was established in 1937 as a non-profit, non-partisan forum for new ideas and to promote innovative multi-state problem solving.