Filippi, Chippendale To Serve Second Term as Leadership Team of the Rhode Island House Republican Caucus

News

State House, Providence – Rhode Island House Republicans unanimously re-elected Blake A. Filippi of Block Island, as Minority Leader; and Michael C. Chippendale of Foster, as Minority Whip – to continue their united Caucus and driving meaningful legislative reform and policy discussions at the State House. 

During his first term as Minority Leader, Filippi led the Caucus in a number of high-profile campaigns to challenge the status quo. Most notably, the Caucus filed a lawsuit against the Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello over his illegal control of the Joint Committee on Legislative Services (JCLS). The lawsuit is pending decision in the Rhode Island Superior Court. The Caucus also successfully championed and secured an independent consultant to analyze the Governor’s proposed 20-year, no-bid gaming contract, resulting in the Caucus discovering $660M in overpayments to IGT/Twin River. 
 
In an attempt to safely minimize the Coronavirus pandemic’s impact on Rhode Island citizens and businesses, House Republicans repeatedly called upon the Speaker, the Senate President and members of the General Assembly to reconvene and provide necessary oversight of: the Governor’s succession of Executive Orders; to investigate the record setting number of nursing home fatalities; to address significant and growing budget shortfalls; and for the proper release of the federal CARES Act funds for education reform and small business support.
 
“I am honored to receive my colleagues’ confidence to continue as Leader of the House Republican Caucus,” said Filippi. “Last night’s ousting of the Speaker is a clear mandate from our citizens that the General Assembly needs to get back to work and that ‘business as usual’ will no longer be tolerated. Our caucus is committed to championing policies and legislation that helps our constituents, not special interests.”

“Republicans have repeatedly called for spending reforms, so the burdens placed up on our taxpayers and businesses are lessened --allowing for growth in our failing economy,” said Chippendale. “Republicans have consistently called out mismanaged core government functions and offered fiscally responsible reforms to services affecting the most vulnerable, such as at the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), the Veterans Home, and children in failing school districts. We are a voice for those needing government the most, and are proud of our efforts. We will champion these causes and so much more in the upcoming legislative session. It is time to get back to work.”

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The Rhode Island House of Representatives Minority Caucus (Republican) is comprised of the following elected members representing constituents who live in the following districts throughout the Ocean State:  Minority Leader, Blake Filippi, District 36 (Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly, New Shoreham); Minority Whip, Michael Chippendale, District 40 (Foster, Glocester, Coventry); Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, District 15 (Cranston); Representative Patricia Morgan, District 26 (West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick); Representative George Nardone, District 28 (Coventry); Representative Brian Newberry, District 48 (North Smithfield, Burrillville);  Representative David Place, District 47 (Burrillville, Glocester); Senior Deputy Minority Leader Justin Price, District 39 (Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond); Deputy Minority Leader Robert Quattrocchi, District 41 (Scituate, Cranston); Deputy Whip Sherry Roberts, District 29 (Coventry, West Greenwich). For more RI House GOP Caucus info visit www.rihousegop.org