Rhode Island House Minority Report – 2019 Legislative Session Recap available online

​State House, Providence – Today, the House Republican Caucus released its “Minority Report” detailing their success in advocating for issues, policies, and initiatives on behalf of Rhode Island taxpayers during the 2019 Legislative Session. This 2019 Legislative Session Recap is published online and is a detailed listing of successfully sponsored, co-sponsored, or caucus inspired bills and initiatives, along with their outcomes.

Rhode Island State House

“Legislative success is defined in many ways -- in the dialogues initiated, seeds of change planted, amendments proposed, partnerships created, constituents served -- and the collective work of this Caucus is remarkable,” said Blake A. Filippi, Leader of the House Republican Caucus. “The 2019 Minority Report showcases our efforts and the impact we have in shaping the conversations on important issues addressed at the State House. We are proud of our work, as detailed in this report summarizing the hard work of our membership within the House of Representatives.”

“This report highlights key initiatives we introduced over the past two years by our members, which were ultimately addressed in the 2019 session,” said Minority Whip Michael W. Chippendale. “Good government bills such as designating the E911 restricted account and the institution of the expanded responsibilities of the Auditor General were initiatives championed by House Republicans over the years. Our Republican Caucus appreciates the hard work put forth by many individuals and groups to achieve these wins on behalf of taxpayers.”

Highlights from the 2019 Rhode Island House Republican Minority Report:

House Republicans introduced thoughtful floor amendments to improve state services, eliminate poor governance practices and stimulate discussions for economic growth and bi-partisan oversight. Republicans sought to preserve our promise to reduce the sales tax to 6.5%; increase the ranks of desperately needed frontline workers in the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF); and worked with their friends across the aisle to recognize and meet the need for certification at DCYF in the 2020 budget.  While Republicans would have preferred to create of an Office of Inspector General to detect and deter waste in our state departments and agencies, we are happy the Auditor General’s investigatory powers expanded and will monitor this office’s work to ensure it creates value for the taxpayers. Republicans sought to place bi-partisan controls and oversight of the Auditor General, and although those efforts did not prevail, Republicans will remain vigilant in the years to come to make sure that office operates properly.

Republicans were happy to see long-championed fiscal accountability and best practice efforts included in the 2020 budget. Restricted accounts were established for E911 consumer fees, and for the Attorney General’s settlement funds.  The settlement funds’ restricted account will now have oversight and will be subject to the General Assembly appropriations process for future expenditures. This is a big win for Rhode Island taxpayers.

Republicans are steadfast in their resolve to call out poor investments and will continue to advocate for good government policies and practices.  Overall, Republicans believe this budget doubled down on central planning and does not embrace the free market principles that will enable our state to thrive.  All policy makers would do well to remember that government does not create opportunity and prosperity– people do.
 
Click here to see the full 6 page report:  https://www.rihousegop.org/2019recap.html

---

​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 John Lyle, Jr., District 46 (Lincoln, Pawtucket); 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).