Updates
JAMESTOWN & MIDDLETOWN on SMITH HILL
Senator Teresa Paiva Weed and Representative Deb Ruggiero welcome the James town Jazz Band to the State House for their holiday concert. Representative Deb Ruggiero sent each band member a DVD of the performance (perhaps they’ll play it for their children one day!)
Jamestown 8th Grade Lawn School Students received a special Legislative citation presented upon graduation from Rep Ruggiero.
Representative Ruggiero worked with Jamestown Town Council to pass legislation for a Juvenile Hearing Board. Deb is a strong supporter of the Jamestown Teen Center and the Jamestown Recreation Department.
Rep. Ruggiero accompanied Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist on her tour of Gaudet School in Middletown and Jamestown Lawn School.
Rep Ruggiero spoke about the importance of public service to the 6th grade class at Gaudet School in Middletown and at Jamestown’s “Island Treasures”.
Jamestown resident Joe Tiexiera meets with Rep Ruggiero and RI DOT about repairing the stone wall along the access road in Jamestown
As well as working with the Middletown Town Council in passing legislation giving Middletown residents over 65 a tax exemption on their property taxes, Rep. Ruggiero also provided the Middletown Senior Center with a $1,000 check to support the Senior Nutrition Program.
WORKING HARD FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD
As a Freshman legislator Representative Ruggiero made some significant contributions:
REINSTASTEMENT OF THE OFFICE OF HEALTH INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Representative Ruggiero stood on the House floor requesting the reinstatement of this watchdog office:
“Prior to this office in 2004, no one scrutinized rate increases from Blue Cross or United. The only way small businesses, you, and I learned of our rate increases was when we opened up our bills! That is not open and transparent government.” – Rep. Deb Ruggiero
Even Republican Minority Leader Bob Watson was impressed and commended Rep Ruggiero on the House Floor on June 24, 2009:
“It takes a Freshman to show us what we have to do here!” – Minority Leader Bob Watson
CO SPONSOR OF NET METERING BILL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
Representative Ruggiero ran on a platform of “Environmental Economics”—putting wind energy and biofuel at the forefront of economic development. The NET METERING bill provides a cash rebate for any town, community, farm, or person that produces a surplus of wind energy from the wind turbines than they actually use.
SPONSOR OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT & LAND TRUST LAW
The Nature Conservancy and RI Realtors asked Representative Ruggiero to sponsor a bill that would ensure that when a property with a conservation easement is sold in Rhode Island, the terms of the easement are fully disclosed to the buyer.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR PORTS OF RHODE ISLAND
Representative Ruggiero is one of only 6 State Reps (only Freshman) and 6 State Senators studying economic development at the Ports of RI, including Quonset and Port of Providence.
“Quonset Business Park is a jewel in this state— air, rail, sea — we have to have an open mind about creating jobs in future emerging industries like renewable energy and possibly building a high tech business park for research, undersea technology, and using our ‘job shops’ to manufacture ancillary products for the wind energy industry. It’s all about jobs!” –Rep. Ruggiero
