Felag Retains Committee Seat in RI Senate

State Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10), recently reelected to an eighth term representing Bristol, Warren, and Tiverton, kept the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs, following his reappointment by Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed.

Paiva Weed announced the 12 appointments of committee chairs in a press released issued Wednesday afternoon.

In her statement, Paiva Weed said: “I am extremely fortunate to lead a talented team of dedicated individuals committed to the future prosperity of our state. “I thank each of these leaders for their willingness to serve in these demanding capacities. They each bring unique expertise and perspectives, and all Rhode Islanders will be the beneficiaries of their selfless dedication to service.”

First elected in 1998, Felag recently sponsored the Senate version of new laws aimed at helping veterans and armed forces members, including a prohibition on foreclosures against active military personnel; expanded the definition of "veteran" for purposes of preferred hiring practices; designates the first Monday in June as Rhode Island Military Nurses Day; and created a veterans designation for Rhode Island driver's licenses.

Felag also sponsored bills that would outlaw tolls on the Mount Hope Bridge and prevent tolls from being charged to pay for the repair of the Sakonnet River Bridge and keep the bridge from bring turned over to the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority (RIBTA) without Assembly approval.

Both bills were referred to committee during the 2011-12 session.

The proposal to charge tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge has raised an outcry from residents and commuters, who crowded recent meetings held by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to protest the plan.

RIDOT is collecting public comment about the plan before submitting it to the Federal Highway Administration, which has previously stated that it will transfer ownership of the bridge to RIBTA once the state agency secures a source of funding for its upkeep.

Also appointed and reappointed to committee assignments were:

• Sen. Roger A. Picard (D–Dist. 20, Cumberland, Woonsocket), Chairman of the Committee on Corporations;
• Sen. James C. Sheehan (D–Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown), Chairman of the Committee on Government Oversight;
• Sen. Joshua Miller (D–Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), Chairman of the Committee on Health & Human Services;
• Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D–Dist. 2, Providence), Chairman of the Committee on Housing & Municipal Government; and
• Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D–Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston),Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Rules.
• Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D–Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), re-appointed Chairwoman of the Committee on Education;
• Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D–Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham), re-appointed Chairwoman of the Committee on Environment & Agriculture;
• Sen. Daniel Da Ponte (D–Dist. 14, East Providence), re-appointed
  Chairman of the Finance Committee;
• Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D–Dist. 29, Warwick), re-appointed
  Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary;
• Senator Paul W. Fogarty (D–Dist. 23, Burrillville, Glocester, North Smithfield), re-appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor.

Note: This article was edited after first publication to correct the towns represented by Sen. Felag.