Three GOP lawmakers top small-business group’s rankings

PROVIDENCE – Three lawmakers, all Republicans, earned perfect scores from the National Federation of Independent Business for their voting records in the 2015-16 session of the General Assembly.

Sen. Nicholas Kettle, R-Coventry, was the only member of the Senate to earn a perfect mark of 100 percent in the small-business advocacy group’s ranking of votes on 11 priority issues.

Reps. Antonio Giarrusso, R-East Greenwich, and Patricia Morgan, R-West Warwick, also earned perfect marks.

“Last session’s priorities … included the minimum business corporation tax, energy costs, regulatory reforms, truck tolling and unemployment insurance reforms,” according to Bill Vernon, NFIB Rhode Island director.

- Advertisement -

Sens. Frank Ciccone III, D-Providence, and Daniel Da Ponte, D-East Providence, tied for the lowest scores in the Senate at 17 percent.

In the House, seven members scored below 50 percent – all Democrats. Providence Rep. Thomas Palangio had the lowest mark at 40 percent, partly due to missing five of the votes due to illness. Providence Rep. John Carnevale had the next lowest mark, at 43 percent.

Five members received marks of 44 percent: Newport Rep. Marvin Abney; Providence Rep. Joseph Almeida; Providence Rep. Grace Diaz; Johnston Rep. Deborah Fellela and Cranston Rep. Arthur Handy. •

No posts to display