By Tessa Roy, WPRO News
Protesters outside the House chamber and 19 Democratic abstentions didn’t stop Nick Mattiello from being re-elected Speaker during the first day of the 2019 legislative session.
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Mattiello won with 47 votes. Nine Republicans voted for new House Minority Leader Blake Filippi, but no other Democrats were nominated to oppose Mattiello.
Mattiello faced criticism over his handling of the legislative process and other issues facing the State House, which sparked the creation of the House’s so-called “reform caucus” that aimed to make government more transparent. However, the two legislators who nominated him for the Speakership, Representatives Shelby Maldonado and Camille Vella-Wilkinson, said he is responsive to their concerns and goals.
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After he was re-elected, Mattiello laid out his priorities, including continuing to cut the car tax, re-addressing the statute of limitations on sex offenders, “potentially” raising the minimum wage, “possibly” expanding the estate tax exemption, ending the opioid crisis, enacting more school safety measures, and putting more focus on public schools.
“As in the past, my office will be open to all 74 of my colleagues who wish to meet with me to discuss legislative matters at any time. I will remain open to all good ideas from members,” he said.
On the other side of the State House, Senators voted to allow Democratic Senate President Dominick Ruggerio to keep his leadership post.
