Joseph Solomon Jr. was in class Tuesday, although he could have been the instructor for much of what was being taught.

Solomon has worked at the State House as a legislative counsel in the House Policy Office for several years. He knows the building; he knows the people from members of the capitol police to legislators, the leadership and many of the staff members.

But on Tuesday, Solomon was a member of the latest class of newly elected legislators who will assume their duties on Tuesday, Jan. 6. He was elected to represent District 22, succeeding Frank Ferri, who chose to run for lieutenant governor instead.

This Tuesday was a day of orientation that culminated with advice from veteran legislators, including House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Deputy Speaker Charlene Lima and Health, Education and Welfare Committee Chairman Joseph McNamara, among others. Apart from being one who already knows many of the ropes, Solomon is among the youngest of the newly elected legislators.

Sitting in the House chambers, Solomon admitted spending the day listening to the process of filing legislation, walking the corridors and listening to those he will be working with felt different from his old job. He couldn’t articulate the difference, although he now felt a responsibility to his constituents. He also got to know many of the 14 other new House members, and he’s impressed.

“I think we have a great class,” he said. “They have the fire in their bellies to get things done.”

That is a far cry from what Mattiello sees happening in Washington.

“The federal government doesn’t work,” he said flatly, as the representatives-elect gathered at the end of the day. “They can’t get anything done and they blame each other.”

Mattiello doesn’t want that for Rhode Island, although legislators will face challenging issues, including a projected $200 million budget deficit. He also doesn’t want anyone denigrating the state. He said if you were to say anything bad about Texas in a Texas bar you would get tossed out, “but do that in Rhode Island and 12 people will be buying you a beer.”

He urged the new class of legislators to stay positive and to be ambassadors for the state while steering clear of those who are negative, “because those are the folks that are not going to move us forward.”

He told them to put forth good ideas and work collaboratively.

“Our job is to move the state forward, not to say ‘No,’” he said. “Let’s help create jobs…we are going to turn this state around.”

Mattiello’s comments echoed the advice of speakers who preceded him. McNamara spoke of the history of the institution and how legislators can disagree and argue, but they should never make it personal.

“Never, ever make other members look badly,” he said.

And he advised that they should be careful about their choice of words.

“Watch out what you say. This is not ‘The Jerry Springer Show.’” Mattiello even “sneaked in a Republican” to the lineup of speakers.

Rep. Michael Chippendale (R-Dist. 40) told the newcomers they would be “crossing the aisle a lot.” He told them not to be afraid to ask questions and to put aside what appear to be heated arguments they have seen on television coverage of proceedings. He called that “dialogue,” adding that the divide between members “doesn’t exist.”

“The magic word would be compromise,” said Deputy Whip Joseph Almeida. He urged the incoming legislators to ask, “Can we talk about this?”

“Make this happen,” he said. “Talk to the brothers and sisters in the Republican party.”

A representative for 22 years, Lima maintained there’s no class separation between legislators.

“We’re all the same up here,” she said. “All we have up here is our reputation.”

Summing up the day, Solomon said he is ready to be part of the team.

“I really want to move the state forward,” he said.