‘Freshman Caucus’ To Help New Reps Find Their Voices

With 14 representatives elected to the House for the first time this year and two others returning to the chamber after a hiatus, the “freshman class” of 16 represents 21 percent of the members of the House of Representatives for the 2013-2014 legislative session.

“That is a fairly significant group of new lawmakers,” said one of their own, Rep. John J. Lombardi (D-Providence). “It is a group, simply because of its newness, that is bringing fresh ideas to the institution, along with a deep desire to work hard for their constituents and to do meaningful, diligent work to improve the lives of all the state’s residents.”

The new, sometimes, can get lost amidst the not-so-new, said Lombardi, “and it would be a shame if the daily rituals of the legislative process were to overshadow or mute the enthusiasm of the newest members of the House.”

To give voice to the new members, Representative Lombardi has introduced legislation to amend the operating rules of the House to create a “Freshman Caucus” beginning this session. The caucus, as proposed in the bill (2013-H 5964) would “consist of and be limited to all members of the House who are serving in their first or second year as a member of the House of Representatives, without regard to political affiliation.”

The bill is co-sponsored by other freshman legislators, Rep. Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence), Rep. Mia A. Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln), Rep. Gregory J. Costantino (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Johnston, Smithfield) and Rep. Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dist. 12, Providence).

As proposed in the Lombardi legislation, after the Freshman Caucus has served for two consecutive sessions, it would be dissolved and a new Freshman Caucus would be formed from among the then newly-elected members.

 “Obviously I am not suggesting that a caucus of this kind would speak with one voice on everything,” said Representative Lombardi. “With that many people, from different parts of the state and different party affiliations, there will be a lot of different issues and goals.”

 “But a caucus of this type can help build camaraderie among the group that can live on long after these individuals stop being freshman legislators, even if they do not always agree on every issue. I think the cooperative spirit and mutual respect that would begin in such a caucus would be beneficial to how things get accomplished in the House, and how well these individuals work together in future years for the greater good,” he said.

The Lombardi bill has been referred to the House Committee on Rules.