Poli-ticks

The House of Representatives may not be the same

By Arlene Violet
Posted 9/21/18

While the focus on elections last week was primarily on the gubernatorial races (and lesser so, the race for Lieutenant Governor) an interesting story was developing on the legislative front that may …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Poli-ticks

The House of Representatives may not be the same

Posted

While the focus on elections last week was primarily on the gubernatorial races (and lesser so, the race for Lieutenant Governor) an interesting story was developing on the legislative front that may change the leadership structure in the R.I. House of Representatives. Speaker Nick Mattiello is in the race of his life with a strong challenger, Steve Frias. If the speaker emerges victorious in November, his bid to retain the speakership and its inherent power won’t be the same. Here are the reasons why:

The march of the progressives — With the successful wins by progressive candidates against the more centrist democrats backed by Mr. Mattiello, the speaker will have a difficult time wooing the newcomers who will join other unchallenged progressives in the House. Two of the progressive candidates in the East Bay still have to best their respective Libertarian opponents, yet any victory by the Libertarians in those races will also, of necessity, make the wanna-be speaker yield concessions in exchange for their support. Either way, Speaker Mattiello may have to be a contestant in his own brand of “Let’s Make A Deal”. One Progressive victor, Sam Bell, who defeated an incumbent, is not exactly a "shrinking violet". This scientist-by-profession was a moving force and former leader of the progressive democrats. He successfully challenged the NRA PAC spending at the Board of Elections. Look for him to make his own mark on Smith Hill.

Democrat women — The speaker is in the doghouse with some of the females in his own party. He backed a supporter of Donald Trump against Representative Moira Walsh, an incumbent who bested the Mattiello pick. It is virtually without precedent for a speaker to choose a candidate over an incumbent. Doing so, Speaker Mattiello irked women in his own party. He already was on shaky ground when he refused to allow a vote on the legislation which would make Roe v. Wade the operative law in Rhode island regardless of what the United States Supreme Court did to alter that precedent. Further, his dilly-dallying about extending the statute of limitations for lawsuits of those who were sexually abused by clerics and others aggravated the democrat women espousing the extension of time. With more women heading to the state house he may very well have to accede to their agenda if he wants to remain in his post.

The Republicans — because of their few numbers the Republicans don’t make much of an impact on legislation espoused by the minority party. Yet, in the past, the public has seen how a speaker had to make concessions with the Republicans. Years ago, Russ Bramley, a representative from Warwick had 49 (out of 113) votes to become speaker. John Harwood snatched the role from him by making a compact with the Republicans. Speaker Mattiello, if returned to the House by his district, may have to shake some hands on the republican side to stay in power.

The legislature is where most of the policy-making and governing occurs in the state. A mini revolution is brewing. Following the primary election Mr. Mattiello’ s hold on the speakership became much more tenuous. He, no doubt, is fastening his seatbelt since it is going to be a bumpy ride.

Arlene Violet is an attorney and former Rhode Island Attorney General.

Arlene Violet

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.