This week at the

General Assembly

STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease

§  General Assembly convenes 2019 session
The General Assembly began its 2019 session with 14 new representatives in the House and seven new senators. Democrats increased their ranks by two members in the House, which is now made up of 66 Democrats and nine Republicans. The Senate remains at 33 Democrats and five Republicans. More women were elected to both chambers. The House, which had 23 women in the previous term, now includes 26 women, and the Senate includes 16, up from 13 at the end of the previous session.

§  Mattiello re-elected Speaker of the House for new term
Rep. Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) was re-elected speaker of the house for the 2019-20 legislative session. First elected to the House in 2006, Speaker Mattiello was elected to lead the chamber in March 2014 after having served as Democratic majority leader since 2010.
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§  Ruggerio re-elected President of the Senate

Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) was re-elected to the office of president during opening day ceremonies in the Rhode Island Senate. He was first elected to the position in March 2017, and began his first full term in the chamber’s top post after being sworn into office. He previously served as Senate majority leader.

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§  Senate re-elects Metts as president pro tempore, Crowley as deputy

The Rhode Island Senate re-elected Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) as president pro tempore and Sen. Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) as deputy president pro tempore during the opening day ceremonies of the Senate. 

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§  House Democratic Caucus re-elects Majority Leader Shekarchi and team

The House Democratic Caucus in November elected Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) as majority leader for the 2019-20 legislative session. The caucus also elected Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth) as majority whip, Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence) as deputy majority whip, Rep. Charlene M. Lima (D-Dist. 14, Cranston, Providence) as deputy speaker; Rep. Brian P. Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) as speaker pro tempore; and Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) as Democratic Caucus chairwoman.

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§  House Republicans elect Minority Leader Filippi, Whip Chippendale

The House Republicans in November elected Rep. Blake A. Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) as minority leader for the 2019-20 legislative session. The caucus also elected Rep. Michael W. Chippendale (R-Dist. 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry) as minority whip, Rep. Justin K. Price (R-Dist. 39, Richmond, Hopkinton, Exeter) as senior deputy minority leader, Rep. Sherry Roberts (R. Dist. 29, Coventry, West Greenwich) as deputy whip; and Rep. Robert Quattrocchi (R-Dist. 41, Scituate, Cranston) as deputy minority leader.

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§  Senate Democrats re-elect Majority Leader McCaffrey

Senate Democrats in November re-elected Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) as majority leader for the 2019-20 legislative session.

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§  Senate Republicans re-elect Minority Leader Algiere, Whip Morgan

Senate Republicans in November re-elected Sen. Dennis L. Algiere (R-Dist. 38, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) as minority leader for the 2019-20 legislative session. The caucus also named Sen. Elaine J. Morgan (R-Dist. 34, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich) as minority whip and Sen. Thomas J. Paolino, (R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield) as senior deputy minority leader.

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House names Rules Committee
House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello appointed the 17-member House Rules Committee, which will be led by Chairman Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence). The committee will discuss and propose to the full House membership a set of rules and procedures for the chamber in the 2019-2020 session.                 

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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.