Protecting Our Communities & Quality of Life
 

• Led the successful effort to defeat the proposed mega-container port at Quonset.

• Co-sponsored landmark Clean Water legislation hailed as a turning point for Narragansett Bay.

• Supported major investments in clean water, environmental protection, and the green economy.

• Sponsored legislation protecting state-owned open space and conservation lands.

• Supported renewable energy initiatives and net metering.

• Co-sponsored and helped pass Rhode Island's public smoking ban.

• Named Conservation Legislator of the Year.

• Received the RI Saltwater Anglers' Environmental Award.
   

Growing the Economy & Creating Jobs

• Sponsored the Qualified Jobs Incentive Tax Credit program that helped create hundreds of jobs.

• Passed the Concurrent Permitting Law to reduce government red tape.

• Sponsored enhanced Jobs Match legislation to connect workers with employment opportunities.

• Advocated reducing the minimum corporate tax.

• Secured funding for Real Jobs Rhode Island workforce training.

• Helped streamline the state Fire Code.

• Advocated for infrastructure improvements at Quonset.

• Supported initiatives to expand Rhode Island seafood exports.

• Led development of "A New Horizon: Reinventing Rhode Island," a widely recognized economic policy blueprint.

• Received the Friend of Small Business Award from the NFIB.
   

Making Government More Accountable

• Led the successful effort to restore the Code of Ethics over the General Assembly.  Awarded the Excellence in Public Service Award by Common Cause RI

• Authored reforms increasing transparency and accountability for quasi-public agencies.

• Authored major updates to Rhode Island's Access to Public Records Act.

• Sponsored line-item veto legislation.

• Advocated performance metrics for state government.

• Sponsored eminent domain reforms protecting private property rights.

• Sponsored Judicial Nominating Commission term-limit reforms.

• Co-sponsored the Separation of Powers constitutional amendment.

• Sponsored lobbyist reform legislation.

• Co-sponsored campaign finance reform legislation.
  
   

Protecting Taxpayers, Consumers & Property Owners

• Opposed expansion of the Meals and Hotel Tax.

• Reduced the automobile excise tax.

• Sponsored homestead property tax relief.

• Advocated legislation to reduce excessive credit card banking fees.

• Sponsored eminent domain reforms protecting homeowners and property owners.

• Continually declined legislative pay raises and state health insurance benefits.
   

Strengthening Education & Preparing for the Future

• Supported a $250 million school construction bond.

• Increased state education aid to cities and towns.

• Expanded funding for the Rhode Island Promise program providing two years of tuition-free CCRI.

• Supported school-based substance abuse and suicide prevention education.

• Supported improved health and consent education in schools.
   

Improving Healthcare & Lowering Costs

• Led efforts to allow safe importation of lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada.

• Sponsored legislation requiring prescription drug discounts be passed on to consumers.

• Supported legislation protecting essential health benefits.

• Supported insurance coverage for mastectomies and expanded contraceptive access.

• Supported legislation addressing the opioid crisis.

• Advocated restoring funding for healthcare and human service programs.

• Supported protections against mandatory overtime for nurses.
   

Keeping Families Safe

• Supported school safety initiatives.

• Strengthened protections against child abuse and neglect.

• Supported tougher penalties for impaired driving with children in vehicles.

• Supported measures addressing domestic violence and firearm safety.

• Supported legislation making revenge porn and sextortion criminal offenses.

• Supported efforts to improve reporting of child sexual abuse.
   

Supporting Workers & Working Families

• Supported paid sick leave protections.

• Supported prevailing wage laws.

• Supported binding arbitration to resolve labor disputes.

• Expanded workforce training and job placement programs.
   

Protecting Rights & Equal Opportunity

• Supported marriage equality.

• Supported equal pay protections for women.

• Supported ending discriminatory insurance practices based on gender.

• Voted to codify Women's Reproductive Privacy Act.  
  Authored Common Cause's Post-Election Audit Law.

• Supported secure online voter registration.
   

Supporting Seniors

• Supported tax relief on Social Security and retirement income.

• Expanded home-based care options for seniors.

• Supported funding for senior centers and community programs.

• Helped establish the Aging and Disability Resource Center.

• Secured additional funding for nursing homes.

• Supported programs helping seniors age safely in their homes.
   

Delivering for North Kingstown & South County

• Sponsored property tax relief legislation for North Kingstown seniors.

• Helped secure funding to rebuild the Galilee fishing pier bulkhead.

• Sponsored legislation supporting Rhode Island's fishing industry.

• Sponsored legislation creating funding for preservation of the Plum Beach Lighthouse.

• Led Senate efforts to address Lyme disease in Rhode Island.

• Sponsored legislation honoring local fallen hero 2nd Lt. Matthew Coutu.

• Eliminated the sales tax on original artwork.