Speaker keeps focus on economy, calls for review of spending

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 1/13/15

ledging to maintain a highly-targeted focus on economic issues while calling for a comprehensive review of the state’s spending, House of Representatives Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (D-15, Cranston) …

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Speaker keeps focus on economy, calls for review of spending

Posted

ledging to maintain a highly-targeted focus on economic issues while calling for a comprehensive review of the state’s spending, House of Representatives Speaker Nicholas Mattiello (D-15, Cranston) was last week unanimously elected to a full two-year term as the chamber’s leader.

“I am truly grateful for your continued support,” he told the House members in remarks following the 73-0 vote, calling it “truly overwhelming.” “The focus of this chamber will be on jobs and the economy,” he later added.

Mattiello was elected to the speaker’s post in March of last year amid a tumultuous time. Gordon Fox, the previous speaker, had resigned his leadership position after unprecedented raids on his State House office and home. Days later, the Cranston Democrat, who had been the House majority leader, was elected speaker.

Mattiello, in last week’s address, referenced those “very trying circumstances” but said that “working together, the House did not skip a beat…I believe we became a stronger and more unified House of Representatives.”

The speaker pointed to the record accumulated in the final three months of the previous legislative session, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 9 percent to 7 percent and an increase to the estate tax threshold. In the new term, he said, the House will “continue to focus on making us a more competitive state on jobs and tax issues.”

Mattiello outlined several specific priorities, the foremost being a plan to exempt Social Security benefits from the state’s income tax. He said since the high-profile announcement of his intention to pursue that policy change, “the response has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The speaker also pointed to proposals that would support small business growth and expedite permitting for key development sites.

“We simply cannot let red tape stand in the way of bringing jobs to Rhode Island,” he said. “We have much to do to make sure that government is not standing in the way of economic growth…we must continue to show that Rhode Island is open for business.”

With the state’s projected budget deficit for the coming fiscal year approaching $200 million, Mattiello said he has asked members of the Finance Committee to “finally address Rhode Island’s structural deficit.” He said he has also asked staffers to prepare options regarding the “tough choices” that must be made.

“Businesses want stability and predictability,” he said. “All of our spending policies must be scrutinized.”

Mattiello specifically mentioned the state’s health care exchange, HealthSourceRI, as a target of that scrutiny.

“I have not been convinced that the current exchange can justify its price tag,” he said.

The speaker did point to his and the House’s commitment to supporting education, and said he is “not going to retreat from that commitment.”

At the conclusion of his remarks, Mattiello introduced Governor Gina Raimondo, who had been sworn in earlier in the day and was accompanied by the new slate of statewide officials, including Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. The new governor struck a collaborative tone.

“It struck me that we are aligned in our goals and our objectives,” she said of Mattiello’s remarks, “because, at the end of the day, together, we have to create middle-class jobs.”

Raimondo told House members she is “looking forward to unprecedented collaboration with your leader and with all of you,” and said. “We’re going to put this state back on track.”

Mattiello’s name was put into nomination by state Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy, a Hopkinton Democrat and the new dean of the House as the chamber’s longest-serving member. It was seconded by state Rep. Charlene Lima, a Cranston Democrat who serves as the deputy speaker.

Kennedy said Mattiello, upon his initial election in March, “promised a new and open leadership team,” and that he has “delivered on those promises.”

“Speaker Mattiello has demonstrated a strong desire and willingness to tackle the problems of our state and to move us forward,” Kennedy said.

Lima called Mattiello “a leader with a clear vision on how to revive Rhode Island’s economy and the strength, intelligence and determination to achieve this vision with results, not rhetoric.”

“Nick Mattiello is the right man at the right time to lead Rhode Island out of our downturn,” she said.

During his remarks, Mattiello presented flowers to his wife, Mary Ann, in celebration of her birthday. The couple’s sons, Nick and Tony, were also on hand.

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  • markyc

    It's early in the new session. We'll see how much "collaboration" there is depending on what each leader's "tough choices" will be & what the options will be. From what I've read, there are differences already between House Speaker Mattiello & Senate President Paiva-Weed. Healthsource RI being one(she would like to keep it; he only if it's operated efficiently & it doesn't cost the State a lot of money within the budget). The State budget is required to be balanced. In recent budget years, revenue increases have offset spending increases. However, with a projected $190-200 million shortfall anticipated in next fiscal year's budget, we'll see where those "tough choices" are balanced & where they will align with the additional middle class jobs that will be(or we hope will be) created.

    Thursday, January 15, 2015 Report this