The Senate announces committee assignments. See them here.

For Tampa Bay, the unexpected picks: newcomer Sen. Ronda Storms will chair Children, Families and Elder Affairs.

Sen. Dennis Jones will chair Regulated Industries again. Sen. Mike Fasano will chair Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations, Sen. Nancy Argenziano chairs Criminal Justice, Sen. Victor Crist chairs Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations.

Also, local Democratic senators scored vice chairs: Sen. Arthenia Joyner will be the second in command on Judiciary and Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations. Charlie Justice will be vice chair of Commerce. The only Tampa Bay senator who got assigned to Banking and Insurance was Ronda Storms.