by Anita Baffoni, WPRO News
Newly elected legislators take part in a day-long orientation at the State House Tuesday to learn the ropes on Smith Hill.
There are 12 new representatives in the House. Ken Mendonça of Porsmouth is one of the few Republicans elected.
“The jersey comes off and whatever party affiliations your with doesn’t matter,” Mendonça said during his second visit ever to the State House. “We are here to try and see what we can do in the best interest of the state and for the people in district.”
He says he plans to focus on providing additional pension relief and will try to reduce taxes on military and private pensions.
Democrat Susan Donovan of Bristol is a retired school teacher and plans to put her attention on education and issues with the environment. She replaced embattled former representative and House finance chair, Ray Gallison.
“It was a very difficult time and as I knocked on doors, that hurt was very evident,” Donovan said in regards to the investigations into Gallison. “That distrust in government, I want to bring a little bit of trust back to the district.”
Democrat Jason Knight says he wants to show the public that Rhode Island is working hard to be a government that is efficient, not just for people who may be connected.
“I want to see the perception of Rhode Island out there change to go from a place where you have to know a guy to get something done and there is a thin line of corruption on almost everything we do,” Knight of Warren and Barrington said. “Not that that’s true, but that’s the perception.”
Democrat Moira Walsh of Providence supports legalization of recreational marijuana because she says it is a very important topic to her constituents.
“We haven’t had a representative in 20-something years who actually answers calls from constituents,” Walsh said. “I’m very lucky that they set the bar really low and now people are excited that I’m showing up and asking them what they need because it’s been a while since someone asked us.”
In the House, the newcomers were welcomed with introductions from House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, as well as Majority and Minority leaders.
“I told them to learn from your colleagues. Withhold your word until you are sure you want to give your word and once you give your word, keep your word,” Mattiello said.
The crash course included how the legislative process works and an outline of resources available to them.
