The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce was once again pleased to host our annual conversation with leaders of the Rhode Island General Assembly as they responded to questions regarding the many critical issues facing the business community today.  

Over 700 business and civic leaders gathered at the Rhode Island Convention Center yesterday for the Chamber's 2020 Legislative Luncheon where legislative leadership shared their priorities for the current session and discussed timely issues, including: education, the state budget, economic development, workforce training, marijuana legalization, a proposed state ban on single-use plastic bags and the presidential election.  

Chamber members were also joined by nearly 60 state legislators and their staffs. 

Luncheon attendees also participated in a real-time audience survey about the naming of T.F. Green Airport, legalization of recreational marijuana and the prospects of Tom Brady returning to the New England Patriots.

 

Audience survey results

Question 1: Do you support the renaming of T.F. Green Airport?
Yes - 76%
No - 24% 

Question 2: Should recreational marijuana be legalized within the next 2 years in Rhode Island?
Yes - 52%
No - 48%

Question 3: Will Tom Brady return to the Patriots this year?
Yes - 70%
No - 30%

News Coverage

Find out what the General Assembly leaders said.

The Providence Journal
Providence Chamber members divide on legalized marijuana
Rhode Island’s business community appears almost evenly divided on the legalization of marijuana. With their applause, however, the hundreds of business executives gathered Wednesday for a Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce luncheon let lawmakers know how strongly they feel about setting their own rules on how that might work in their own workplaces.

Mattiello, Ruggerio now say they support Klobuchar for president
Watching his first-choice presidential candidate fading, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello told a large gathering at a Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce luncheon that he is now leaning toward Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

The Boston Globe
Top Rhode Island Democrats throw support behind Klobuchar
The final question was simple enough: Who are you supporting for president in 2020? The replies left the crowd buzzing at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce legislative luncheon on Wednesday -- and reflected the unsettled nature of the Democratic presidential primary.

Providence Business News
Mattiello: Perennial deficit ‘not an appropriate way to run a government’
House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello told business leaders Wednesday that he doesn’t object to many of the economic and educational initiatives contained in Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s fiscal 2021 budget proposal, but said the final numbers have to add up.

The Public's Radio
Mattiello, Ruggerio Now Back Klobuchar For President
Ruggerio recently told the Providence Journal that he was choosing between Biden and Klobuchar. At the chamber event, he said his support is now with Klobuchar.