Senate ratifies ‘strong mayor’ amendment to East Providence charter

Conley leads effort in upper chamber after Amore did likewise in House

Post Staff
Posted 4/25/17

PROVIDENCE — The State Senate has approved legislation introduced by Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) that would validate and ratify amendments to the Home Rule …

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Senate ratifies ‘strong mayor’ amendment to East Providence charter

Conley leads effort in upper chamber after Amore did likewise in House

Posted

PROVIDENCE — The State Senate has approved legislation introduced by Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) that would validate and ratify amendments to the Home Rule Charter of the city of East Providence that were adopted and approved by the electors of the city on Nov. 8, 2016.

The measure, which passed the Senate 30-0, now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The legislation (2017-S 0655) ratifies the will of the voters of East Providence to change the administrative framework of their local government from a city council-appointed city manager to a full-time mayor elected by the voters of the city.

“The city council unanimously passed a resolution asking the General Assembly to ratify the charter amendment reflecting the outcome of the mayoral referendum. It is in accordance with their wishes that I submitted and advocated passage of this legislation as early as possible in this legislative session to avoid any last-minute errors or confusion,” said Senator Conley.

The legislation is cosponsored by Senator Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Senator Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).

Rep. Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) submitted companion legislation (2017-H 5147) that passed the House of Representatives and awaits action by the Senate.

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, the House gave a bouquet of sorts to city voters when it passed an act “Validating And Ratifying An Amendment To The Home Rule Charter Of The City Of East Providence” by 70-0 count. Five representatives did not register a vote on the matter.

The legislation, submitted by city Reps. Amore, Katherine Kazarian, Helder Cunha and Joy Hearn, “Validates and ratifies amendments to the Home Rule Charter of the city of East Providence, which amendments were adopted and approved by the electors of the city of East Providence on November 8, 2016.”

It was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Municipal Government on January 19, which later heard and considered the bill, then recommended it for passage on February 2.

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Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.