Another sign of the abnormal state of the world, and state: Rhode Island’s Republican House members announced Tuesday they are skipping an upcoming legislative luncheon even though it would have featured Minority Leader Mike Chippendale as part of a panel discussion.
It’s the first time the 10-member House Minority Caucus declined an invitation to attend the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce’s annual event since Chippendale was elected in 2010, Sue Stenhouse, the caucus’ chief of staff, said in an interview on Tuesday.
“Many have jobs to attend to and better things to do with their time,” the press release stated.
The March 12 event, which brings together business and civic leaders with lawmakers, centers around a roundtable discussion between Laurie White, chamber president, and state legislative leaders. Chippendale is one of six state lawmakers scheduled to speak at this year’s event, along with House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, House Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, Senate Majority Leader Valarie Lawson and Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz.
Chippendale, a Foster Republican, blasted the event in the caucus statement announcing all 10 members would not attend.
“I see no value in this event for anyone involved, legislators, attendees, or Chamber members,” Chippendale said. “It is just a fundraiser for the Chamber and nothing more. It has simply proven to be a waste of time.”
The event costs $90 per ticket per person, or $1,000 for a company to reserve a table for eight people, according to the online registration.
Rep. Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican and former House Minority Leader, also criticized the event as a “dog and pony show.”
“The Chamber leadership has no interest in facilitating an actual debate,” Newberry said. “They just want to cozy up to the Speaker and Senate President and throw them some pre-selected softball questions to make them look good.”
White called the decision “unfortunate.”
“I have always enjoyed hearing from Leader Chippendale and Leader Newberry,” White said in an email Tuesday.
White said the event aims to inform Rhode Island’s business community about public policy issues and encourage them to get involved in the legislative process.
“The legislators tell us all the time (and rightfully so): ‘Show up. Let us know what you think. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Get involved,’” White said.
She said she works closely with House Republicans to include their policy priorities in the panel discussion. During last year’s event, White asked about a state inspector general and legislation that would let students in underperforming public schools transfer to another school because they were priorities of the House GOP.
While said she plans to reach out to Chippendale directly, also offering to have another member of the caucus participate instead.
Other House Republicans who will not attend are Minority Whip David Place, Rep. George Nardone, Rep. Robert Quattrocchi, Rep. Sherry Roberts, Rep. Richard Fascia, Rep. Marie Hopkins, Rep. Chris Paplauskas and Rep. Paul Santucci.
Across the rotunda, Senate Republicans are not following suit. De la Cruz, one of the featured speakers, still plans to attend, along with the three other Senate Republicans Brandon Bell, the Senate Republicans’ chief of staff, confirmed in an email.
Shekarchi, Blazejewski and Lawson will also be attending and participating as panelists.
However, Ruggerio will not be present for the second year in a row due to illness, Greg Paré, a Senate spokesperson, said Tuesday. The Senate President was hospitalized last week at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital due to with pneumonia. He was transferred to the rehabilitation center at the hospital on Feb. 26, where he is scheduled to remain through March 12.
Paré said Ruggerio was “doing phenomenal,” but confirmed his rehab stay will prevent him from attending the Chamber event. Ruggerio will also miss the Senate’s legislative sessions today and Thursday, having already been absent from three Senate floor votes this year.
The chamber’s 2025 legislative leadership luncheon is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, March 12, at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Attendees are asked to RSVP by Thursday, March 6.
This story was originally published by the Rhode Island Current.
