Letter: Ottiano Reflects on Start of Session

To the editor:

It was an honor to be sworn in for a second term as state senator for District 11.

The district includes all of Portsmouth, downtown Bristol and now the central portion of Tiverton, which is included due to redistricting.

The first part of the legislative session from January 1 to February 14 is underway. This time is mostly dedicated to crafting and submitting legislation.

There seems to be a re-energized statewide attitude towards looking closely at how the business atmosphere and climate for job creation can be maximized.

The Senate is fresh off an economic summit, and I am very optimistic that several bills I am involved with can help the state reach our end goal of a better overall economy. The Senate leadership deserves a lot of credit for staying focused on this issue as our primary function.

The biggest issue for our local economy is the proposed toll on the Sakonnet
Bridge. Your East Bay senators have sponsored legislation to eliminate this toll, and local residents and I will focus on the hearings that these pieces of legislation create.

Of course, social issues have also dominated the state house and recent media
reports. The marriage equality legislation will continue to be debated and is an issue that generates a lot of passionate discussion. I have received hundreds of email and phone calls, and as always, welcome the input of the people I serve.

I am very pleased to announce that I will continue with my routine constituent office hours. Since Tiverton is new to the district, I am going to hold my next office hours there. I hope that anyone who wishes to discuss or question any issue will come and visit. I have always put forward the message that our elected officials should not just be around during election time. Please contact me anytime at my office, (401) 222-2708 or my cell (401) 864-7456.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher S. Ottiano (R-Dist. 11)

Editor's Note: In a separate release, Ottiano announced that he has scheduled constituent office hours on Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 8 pm at Lil’ Bear Sports Pub at 983 Main Road, Tiverton.