PROVIDENCE — Sen. James A. Seveney (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol, Tiverton) has been appointed by President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed to serve on the Senate Finance, Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs, and Education committees for the 2017-18 legislative session.

The Finance Committee handles all matters relating to revenue, appropriations and taxes, while the Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs Committee considers legislation on matters relating to constitutional amendments, liquor laws, gaming issues, license plates, veterans’ affairs and commissions and resolutions.

The Senate Education Committee is responsible for oversight of all matters pertaining to public education.

The Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs hears legislation and matters relating to constitutional amendments, liquor laws, gaming issues, commissions, resolutions, veterans affairs and laws relating to domestic animals.

Sen. Seveney is a retired Navy officer. He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1972, earned a bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College in 1976, a master of science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990, and an MBA from Salve Regina University in 2005. 

His father, Gardiner F. Seveney, served four terms in the Rhode Island Senate, from 1979 to 1986.

He resides in Portsmouth with his wife, Valerie. They are the parents of two children, Sarah and Matthew.