PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox has started the 2013 legislative session with a commitment to hold a vote on gay marriage before the end of the month.
Fox was easily re-elected speaker Tuesday, the opening day of the new General Assembly session.
The Providence Democrat says the session's priority is to improve the state's business climate. Fox says he also wants to restructure the state's Economic Development Corp. The agency has come under fire for guaranteeing loans to former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's video game company, which has filed for bankruptcy.
Fox, who is openly gay, says he also wants Rhode Island to join the rest of New England by allowing same-sex couples to marry.
Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed was also re-elected to her post Tuesday.
