PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A shouting match between Rhode Island lawmakers didn’t stop a bill to create highway tolls on big-rig trucks from moving toward passage in the state’s General Assembly.
The House Finance Committee speedily voted 14-4 to pass the bill Tuesday afternoon, moving it to a full House vote Wednesday. The vote breakdown was:
Yes: Ray Gallison, Eileen Naughton, John Carnevale, Marvin Abney, Gregg Amore, Jean Philippe Barros, Joy Hearn, Robert Jacquard, Kenneth Marshall, Deborah Ruggiero, Pat Serpa, Scott Slater, Teresa Tanzi, Carlos Tobon.
No: Antonio Giarrusso, Ray Hull, Patricia Morgan, Dan Reilly.
Not Present: Jan Malik.
Democratic House Finance Chairman Raymond Gallison, of Bristol and Portsmouth, shouted down questioning from Republican Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Morgan, of Coventry, and threatened to shut off her microphone.
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The legislation also passed a Senate finance committee vote on Tuesday with a vote of 8-2. The vote count was
Yes: Dan DaPonte, Lou DiPalma, Jamie Doyle, Walter Felag, Maryellen Goodwin, Ryan Pearson, Juan Pichardo, Dominick Ruggerio.
No: Ed O’Neill, John Pagliarini.
Not Present: Susan Sosnowski.
Earlier Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo joined top lawmakers, mayors and business groups to rally for its passage.
House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, both Democrats, said they have enough votes in both chambers.
