Shuffling the Deck – Speaker makes moves on dissenting reps

Posted on February 11, 2016
In this April 30, 2014 photo, Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, applauds as guests are introduced during a recess on the floor of the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Providence, R.I. Mattiello is a centrist Democrat and former majority leader whose meteoric rise to the position followed the downfall of Gordon Fox. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
In this April 30, 2014 photo, Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, applauds as guests are introduced during a recess on the floor of the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Providence, R.I. Mattiello is a centrist Democrat and former majority leader whose meteoric rise to the position followed the downfall of Gordon Fox. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

by Tara Granahan, WPRO

Just moments after the Senate vote on truck tolls, WPRO’s Tara Granahan spoke with Rep. Ray Hull of Providence who confirmed he was yanked off the powerful Finance Committee by Speaker Nick Mattiello.  This after Hull voted no to the controversial RhodeWorks bill.  Rep. Hull told Granahan he was placed instead on the Environmental Committee.

According to various reports, Rep. Robert Phillips and Rep. Joseph Solomon, both Democrats, also broke ranks and voted with the opposition; they, too, were removed from coveted committee positions.

Granahan spoke to Larry Berman, communications director for the Rhode Island House of Representatives, who said he would try to confirm the items but never called back.

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