In pledging to maintain a course to build the economy and jobs after taking the oath as Speaker of the House, Rep. Nicholas Mattiello listed the voters of District 15 among the first to thank.
“Without their support, I would not be here today. So to the residents of District 15 in Cranston, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Mattiello said.
Viewed as the most powerful position in the State House, as it is the House of Representatives that has control over the state budget, Mattiello didn’t forget those who ensured his re-election despite complaints over the power held by the office and an attempt to stymie his re-election.
Yet, while Rep. John Lombardi of Providence had been considered a contender, his name was not placed in nomination. Rather, those believed to be in his camp – a total of 19 – abstained from voting.
In the final count, Mattiello received 47 votes while House Minority Leader Blake Filippi of Block Island got 9 votes.
The outcome was as Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi of Warwick predicted.
Shekarchi was reelected as House Minority Leader.
“He has been a great partner these past two years, and he will be taking an even more active role in working closely with our committees to review all legislative matters. I know Leader Shekarchi’s door is always open to all of you to discuss issues, policies and legislation,” Mattiello said.
After his words of appreciation and acknowledgment of 14 newly elected members of the House, Mattiello set the agenda.
“Each of us represents a diverse and unique community within our state, but we must work together to move Rhode Island forward. I can’t wait to begin working with everyone in this chamber. Over the last five years that I have been Speaker, we have worked together to improve our state’s economic climate, assist working families, and advance the quality of life for residents throughout our state,” Mattiello said. As he spoke chants of “hey, hey, ho, ho, Mattiello must go” could be heard from outside the chambers closed doors from the newly formed Rhode Islanders for Reform. (See separate story on the organization in today’s edition.)
The demonstration was peaceful and as the session proceeded, the chanting subsided.
Mattiello stayed on point, “As I stated when I took this rostrum for the very first time in March 2014, our focus will be on jobs and the economy. Working with Governor Raimondo and the Senate, our focus has not strayed from that mantra.  A few short years ago, our unemployment rate was 11.3%.  It now stands at 3.8%, the lowest it has been in 29 years. For six straight months, more than half-a-million Rhode Islanders are working, which is highest number in our state’s history.”
Mattiello’s performance was the theme of the remarks of Warwick Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson who seconded the speaker’s nomination. As a freshman legislator two years ago, Vella-Wilkinson noted how Mattiello is sensitive to her efforts to enhance benefits for veterans and works with legislators.
“What makes me most strongly support the Speaker is the way he stands up to protect the members of the House of Representatives. He listens closely to our caucus and he takes positions that reflect the majority sentiments in this room. I think of the very principled position he took in making several bills better – including legislation dealing with a new baseball stadium – because he listened to the majority of his members,” she said.
She added, “He is not pressured by other government officials who may not have the best interests of the House of Representatives in mind. He always put the best interests of the majority of House members first,”
On the Senate side of the State House, the re-election of Senate President Dominick Ruggiero was hardly in question although Pawtucket Democrat Donna Nesselbush and Providence Democrat Sam Bell sought a secret ballot in place of a roll call ballot on the election of president.
Following a motion to open the floor to nominations made by Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey of Warwick, Cranston Senator Hanna M. Gallo placed Ruggiero’s name in nomination.
“Donny takes the time to listen to the issues that are important to us, which are the issues important to our constituents,” she said.
“President Ruggiero has always kept an open door for us. More than that, he has also kept and open mind. He is forthright and honest with us and he works collaboratively to get results,” Gallo said.
Collaboration and communication were also themes touched on by Gov. Gina Raimondo who addressed both the Senate and House.
“To the seven of you who are new, welcome aboard,” Raimondo said.
“I congratulate all of you and you have my enduring respect. Politics is a contact sport. When I came here four years ago there were glum faces, we didn’t really have a strategy. Working together, we made a lot of progress. The work that happens here isn’t always fun, it isn’t always easy. Because we’re making progress we can look to the future with some optimism. Our obligation is to keep working until everyone is included,” she said.
As customary, the opening session was replete with pomp and both chambers were filled with friends and relatives of legislators as well as municipal elected officials including Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon, whose son Joseph is a state Representative and Johnston Mayor Joseph Polesena.
Asked what she foresees as he enters her 14th term in the House, Cranston Rep. Charlene Lima said she will look to strengthen businesses by reducing regulations.
“We’ve done a lot of work on that but we need to do more,” she said.
Asked the same question Shekarchi gave a broader view of the session that lies ahead.
“At the end of the day we’ll work collaboratively, we’ll work collectively to produce good legislation,” he said
As for specifics, Shekarchi listed the opioid crisis, tax restructuring and block chain methods of doing business as issues he’ll be focusing on.
And what does he have in mind on those issues.
Shekarchi responded to be on the watch for legislation.
Indeed, Tuesday was only the beginning.
(With reports from Ian Weiner)