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1/1/2019
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Nicholas Mattiello re-elected Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
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 STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today re-elected Nicholas A. Mattiello to serve as Speaker of the House. He will preside over the House of Representatives for the 2019-2020 session.
“I can’t wait to begin working with everyone in this chamber. Over the last five years that I have been Speaker, we have worked together to improve our state’s economic climate, assist working families, and advance the quality of life for residents throughout our state,” said Speaker Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston).
The vote was 47 for Speaker Mattiello, 9 for Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly). Nineteen representatives abstained.
First elected to the House in 2006, Representative Mattiello served as a member of the House Finance Committee before being elected Democratic Majority Leader in 2010. Speaker Mattiello was first elected to lead the Rhode Island House of Representatives in March 2014.
Speaker Mattiello has implemented a series of good government and tax reforms during his tenure. In 2017, the General Assembly enacted his proposal to finally phase out the excise tax on automobiles. Under his leadership, the General Assembly has passed legislation reducing the state’s corporate tax rate to the lowest in the Northeast, eliminating the “master lever” or straight-party voting, overhauled the state’s campaign finance and lobbying statutes, and proposed the successful constitutional amendment restoring the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction over the General Assembly.
“Rhode Island is moving in the right direction because of the bold actions taken by the members of this chamber,” he said to his fellow representatives after his election. “As I stated when I took this rostrum for the very first time in March 2014, our focus will be on jobs and the economy. Working with Governor Raimondo and the Senate, our focus has not strayed from that mantra. A few short years ago, our unemployment rate was 11.3 percent. It now stands at 3.8 percent, the lowest it has been in 29 years. For six straight months, more than half-a-million Rhode Islanders are working, which is highest number in our state’s history.”
In his remarks, he pledged to maintain the House’s focus on the economy and employment, continuing efforts to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, support job training programs and lighten the tax burden on Rhode Islanders.
He also outlined other issues he intends to consider, including improving public education, strong measures to address the opioid crisis and school safety, potentially raising the minimum wage and addressing the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits for sexual abuse.
Speaker Mattiello told members that “campaign season is over” and that he wants to work with all members for the good of the state.
“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.
Speaker Mattiello, a lifelong Rhode Islander, lives in Cranston with his wife, MaryAnn. They have two adult children, Nicholas and Anthony. He is a graduate of La Salle Academy, Boston College, and the Suffolk University School of Law.
For more information, contact:
Larry Berman, Communications Director for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 331A
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2466
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