Mr. Lancia Goes to Smith Hill

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I love old movies. One of my favorites is “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” It’s the story of an idealistic young man, Jimmy Stewart, who goes to Washington, D.C., as a new legislator. He’s a bit naïve – learning about the process as he goes forward in his new job.

Tuesday, Dec. 2, I arrived at the State House for Freshman Orientation. I am a member of the newest class of elected legislators who will be sworn in on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. I was elected to represent District 16 in Cranston.

From the moment I walked in the door at 8:30 a.m., it was both inspiring as well as a bit overwhelming. We started the morning with coffee and official photos in the House Lounge. We were then given informal tours of the State House that included everything from Capitol TV, which films proceedings at the State House, to the beautiful State Room with the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington where many functions are held, culminating in a visit to the State Library where the archives are stored and laws can be researched.

We spent much of the day sitting in the House chamber listening to a variety of speakers who talked to us about everything from benefits, to filing legislation, to using the Legislative Data Systems.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Nicholas Mattiello, spoke to us first. “It’s about teamwork and camaraderie”, he started by saying. “You can’t do anything alone.” “It’s about compromise.” “We’re here to serve our constituents.”

Senator M. Teresa Pavia Weed, the Senate President, spoke next. “It’s a sacred trust,” she stated. “We all want what’s best for the state.”

House Minority Leader Brian Newberry spoke next. He encouraged us to not “ever forget where we came from and why we ran.”

Before breaking for lunch, we heard from Richard Raspallo, chief legal counsel to the Speaker, who spent close to an hour talking to us about “How It Works,” meaning legislation. It was an excellent first tutorial about how legislation moves from its introduction, to committee, to the floor.

Coming back in the afternoon, we began with a photo in the Rotunda featuring all the freshmen representatives and the House leadership from both parties. The Rotunda was beautifully decorated for the Christmas season.

In the afternoon, we received a handout from Sharon Reynolds Ferland, she being the House fiscal advisor. Following along with her during her PowerPoint presentation, she tried to give us a glimpse into understanding the State budget. She covered everything from “Key Terms and Concepts” to “Funding Sources” and “Expenditures.” It was quite thought provoking.

We ended the day back in the House Lounge for some final thoughts by several speakers. Those remarks were beautifully captured by Mr. John Howell, editor/publisher of the Warwick Beacon, in his article on my fellow freshman legislator, Joseph Solomon Jr.

As Mr. Howell wrote: “This Tuesday was a day of orientation that culminated with advice from veteran legislators, including House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Deputy Speaker Charlene Lima and Health, Education and Welfare Committee Chairman Joseph McNamara, among others.

“The federal government doesn’t work,” House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said flatly, as the representatives-elect gathered at the end of the day. “They can’t get anything done and they blame each other.” Mattiello doesn’t want that for Rhode Island, although legislators will face challenging issues, including a projected $200 million budget deficit. He also doesn’t want anyone denigrating the state. He said if you were to say anything bad about Texas in a Texas bar you would get tossed out, “but do that in Rhode Island and 12 people will be buying you a beer.”

He urged the new class of legislators to stay positive and to be ambassadors for the state while steering clear of those who are negative, “because those are the folks that are not going to move us forward.”

He told them to put forth good ideas and work collaboratively.

“Our job is to move the state forward, not to say ‘No,’” he said. “Let’s help create jobs…we are going to turn this state around.”

Mattiello’s comments echoed the advice of speakers who preceded him. McNamara spoke of the history of the institution and how legislators can disagree and argue, but they should never make it personal.

“Never, ever make other members look badly,” he said. And he advised that they should be careful about their choice of words.

“Watch out what you say. This is not ‘The Jerry Springer Show.’” Mattiello even “sneaked in a Republican” to the lineup of speakers. Rep. Michael Chippendale (R-Dist. 40) told the newcomers they would be “crossing the aisle a lot.” He told them not to be afraid to ask questions and to put aside what appear to be heated arguments they have seen on television coverage of proceedings. He called that “dialogue,” adding that the divide between members “doesn’t exist.”

“The magic word would be compromise,” said Deputy Whip Joseph Almeida. He urged the incoming legislators to ask, “Can we talk about this?”

“Make this happen,” he said. “Talk to the brothers and sisters in the Republican party.”

A representative for 22 years, Lima maintained there’s no class separation between legislators.

“We’re all the same up here,” she said. “All we have up here is our reputation.

Like Mr. Solomon, I too would sum up the day by saying, “I am ready to be part of the team because I really want to move the state forward.”

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