PROVIDENCE-- Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts praised today’s election of Majority Leader Gordon Fox (D –Providence) as Speaker of the House succeeding William J. Murphy (D –Coventry, Warwick, West Warwick). “I applaud the House of Representatives for choosing Majority Leader Fox to lead them through these extremely challenging times,” Roberts said. “With the state’s economy and the state budget in crisis, it is absolutely essential that we move forward with strong leadership to guide legislation and oversee the details of our state budget.” “I had the privilege of working closely with House Speaker Fox when I was a state senator on the Public Health and Workplace Safety Act anti-smoking bill, and I am proud that this ground breaking legislation has contributed to better health for Rhode Islanders” Roberts continued. “I commend his current leadership in sponsoring legislation to close the “speech in debate” loophole that shields lawmakers from prosecution by the Ethics Commission, and I look forward to being a partner in that process as well.”
