Senator Nesselbush Blasts Senate President, Ruggerio Responds
GoLocalProv Political Team
Senator Nesselbush Blasts Senate President, Ruggerio Responds
"Yesterday the Senate President removed me from the powerful Judiciary Committee where I served since I took office 8 yrs ago. As a reformer dedicated to restoring democracy, I wear it as a badge of honor," wrote Nesselbush.
"This punishment belies his public statement 'I don’t know where the retribution comes in. It certainly hasn’t come from the Senate side.' This small minded petty State House culture must change for Rhode Island to reach its full potential. I’m here to serve the people, and happy to serve on any committee. #BringBackDemocracy," she added.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRuggerio critic and newly elected State Senator Sam Bell wrote, "Thank you for your courage! So sorry he broke his word."
Ruggerio Responds
Senate President Ruggerio's office responded to Naesselbush's charges.
"No one has been removed from any committee as it is a new General Assembly and all of the Senate’s standing committees have been newly constituted. Unfortunately, not every member can serve on every committee, but as many requests as possible are honored. Senator Nesselbush did not request to serve on the Judiciary Committee, and she will be a great asset to the Health & Human Services Committee. She also has been reappointed as Secretary of the Housing & Municipal Government Committee, a leadership position within that committee," said Greg Pare, spokesman for Ruggerio.
"These two committees address many of the most pressing issues facing our state, including health care and housing. To describe being appointed to two of the Senate’s most important committees as “punishment” is disingenuous," added Pare.
"The Senate President has great confidence in the newly constituted Judiciary Committee, under the exceptional leadership of Chairwoman Erin Lynch Prata. Newly appointed Senators Dawn Euer and Mark McKenney are both accomplished attorneys. Senator McKenney worked with the business community, insurance companies, and labor leaders to overhaul Rhode Island’s Workers’ Compensation system. Senator Euer was instrumental in the marriage equality campaign, and has quickly established herself as a thoughtful and effective member of the Senate," said Pare.
Donna Nesselbush has been an active and dedicated Pawtucket resident for more than 25 years. Elected in 2010, she represents District 15 in the Rhode Island State Senate and is a member of the Committees on Judiciary, Government Oversight and Health and Human Services.
Since 2004, Donna has served the City of Pawtucket as a Municipal Traffic and Housing Court Judge. She also chairs the Rhode Island Municipal Court Judge’s Association’s legislative committee.
Upon graduating from Brown University (’84), Donna was awarded the Sarah Doyle Prize in recognition of her significant contribution to women both on campus and in the community.
That same year, Donna became the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence where she served for seven years. In 2004, at the organization’s 25th anniversary celebration, she was commemorated for outstanding leadership and service to victims of abuse.
UPDATED 1/17/2019 at 12 noon.
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