Two groups team up to defeat R.I. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello

Oct. 19--PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Two advocacy groups that have bumped heads with Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello over pay-equity legislation, abortion rights, gun bills and the state's statute of limitations on sexual abuse of children have joined forces to try to defeat him in his home district in Cranston, where he faces Republican Steven Frias.

The Rhode Island National Organization for Women and The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence filed notice with the Rhode Island Board of Elections on Wednesday that they have together put more than $5,000 into a new campaign-spending group called Citizens for a Corruption-Free RI. Every dollar donated so far has gone to Regine Printing in Providence and Mach3Media in Portland, Maine -- presumably to produce direct-mail pieces.

A press release explaining the joint effort said: "The groups believe that Cranston voters are fed up with their current representation and his loyalty to big campaign donors and high paid lobbyists that results in the constant interference from passing legislation that would benefit the majority of Rhode Islanders."

"Rhode Islanders are tired of reading about corruption at the State House," added former state Rep. Linda Finn, the CEO for the joint effort, and president of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence.

"Nicholas Mattiello has given powerful positions to dishonest politicians -- many of whom are in jail or under investigation, like [former House Finance Chairman] Ray Gallison and [former House Finance Vice Chairman] John Carnevale," Finn said.

She also cited "the Speaker's failure" to call votes on any of the bills to beef up the state's anti-sexual harassment laws in a package recommended by a legislative commission created amid the #MeToo movement, and any version of a bill to extend the state's seven-year statute of limitations on filing civil suits against priests -- and others -- responsible for the abuse of children. The hearings drew past victims to the Rhode Island State House, including the sister of the state lawmaker who championed the bill.

"We are frustrated that simple laws that would expand the rights of women and would help those that need it most to have closure in their lives are left behind because Mattiello favors his friends and close lobbyists. It's time to send a message in Rhode Island -- we are done with this kind of corrupt governing style," Finn said.

Apprised of the effort, Mattiello's campaign spokeswoman, Patti Doyle, said: "Unfortunately, this opposition is coming from extreme progressive groups that do not want to see a balanced approach to moving our economy forward."

"Speaker Mattiello has a long and strong record of accomplishments on passing legislation that addresses women's issues," she said. "They include complete insurance coverage for mastectomies, taking guns away from domestic abusers, affordable child care, a full year of access to contraceptive care, and increasing opportunities for parental leave."

The Mattiello camp also noted that the Speaker -- who says he has actually been downgraded to an "A-" rating by the NRA this year -- presided over the passage earlier this year of so-called "Red Flag" legislation to allow judges to, at least temporarily, remove guns from people at "extreme risk" to themselves and others, and a year earlier, from domestic abusers.

"It is ironic that these groups are attacking Speaker Mattiello," Doyle added, "because he has had a strong record of leadership in protecting women and their families. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence presented him with a 'champion award' in 2016 after he spearheaded the creation of a permanent state-supported fund for programs designed to prevent domestic and dating violence. In 2017, he was applauded by gun-control advocates for ensuring the enactment of a law that protects victims of domestic violence by disarming their abusers."

In a related development, The Journal on Thursday published a "My Turn" guest commentary crediting Mattiello with tax cuts and other moves that have "improved the state's business climate." The author: Grafton "Cap" Willey, a CPA who has in the past testified at the State House on behalf of various business interests.

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