State Rep. Mike O’Brien, D-Phila., will serve as Democratic chairman of the House Urban Affairs Committee for the 2017-18 legislative session. He is the first chairman from the 175th Legislative District in more than 30 years.

    “I will be working to advance legislation to help Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s other cities. I appreciate the Democratic leadership entrusting me with this important position,” O’Brien said.

    The Urban Affairs Committee oversees bills pertaining to the general governance of Pennsylvania’s cities and most-populated counties, and the operations of housing and redevelopment agencies, municipal authorities — and common-interest ownership communities such as condominiums, real estate cooperatives and planned communities. Additionally, the committee handles legislation related to manufactured housing and economic and community development.

    The committee has a long history of working to develop measures to eradicate blight and stimulate the commercial and residential revitalization of the state’s older communities.

   The 175th Legislative District covers areas in Northern Liberties, Fishtown and Kensington. •