Rhode Island General Assembly To Convene This Week

Cranston RI

31 December, 2020

1:34 PM

Description

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island General Assembly is set to convene for the first time in 2021 on Tuesday. Because of coronavirus restrictions, neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate will meet in the State House. Members of the House are set to meet at 2 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Following the state's constitution, Marvin Abney, the senior representative from Newport, will preside over the election of a new speaker. The election will be held after the oath of office is administered by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. The oath will be administered to the new speaker by Supreme Court Justice Francis Flaherty. Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi, the majority leader, is expected to assume the rule from former Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. Shekarchi was endorsed by the House Democratic Caucus in November. Gov. Gina Raimondo is also expected to speak at the session. The Senate, meanwhile, will meet at 4 p.m. at Rhode Island College's Sapinsley Hall. Sen. Dawn Euer will preside over the election of the president, the president pro tempore and the deputy president pro tempore. Current President Dominick Ruggerio is expected to retain his position after he was endorsed by the Senate Democratic Caucus. Gorbea will adminster the oath of office to the senators, and Raimondo is expected to speak, as well. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the sessions will be closed to the public. Interested Rhode Islanders can watch the livestream on the legislature's website.