To the Editor,

We write in strong support of House Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s re-election. In his ten years as a State Representative, including the past two as Speaker of the House, Joe has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the challenges Rhode Island businesses face.

One of the hallmarks of Joe’s leadership is his open-door policy. Regardless of policy affiliation or background, Joe takes the time to listen to feedback from a range of individuals and organizations, and he actively seeks their input, whether it’s on proposed legislation or how the state should spend its federal funding.

Joe wants to do what’s best for our state and is willing to work with whomever necessary to get the job done. When discussions between the state of Rhode Island and IGT/Bally’s stalled, Joe personally negotiated the agreement to ensure that these major employers stayed in Rhode Island. As a result, more than 1,000 jobs were saved here in Rhode Island, the companies invested more than $250 million in our state, and Rhode Island’s third-largest source of revenue was preserved. Joe also convinced Bally’s to open a new office in Warwick, which added even more jobs.

During his tenure as Speaker, Joe has passed three state budgets. None of them have had broad-based tax increases or income tax increases. In fact, the most recent budget permanently eliminated the car tax and contained child care tax rebates for working families.

Joe also ensured that the state invested $100 million into its Unemployment Trust Fund, which will reduce businesses’ unemployment tax rates for 2023. He has made sure that the budgets he championed were focused on retaining good jobs and also contained significant funding for job training and workforce investments.

Joe’s guidance and steady hand helped countless businesses through the pandemic, despite many challenges. He also worked closely with the RI Commerce Corporation to ensure state relief for local businesses and helped to facilitate federal assistance for businesses as well.

Joe Shekarchi is exactly the leader we need at the helm during this critical time. We strongly urge Warwick voters to send Joe back to the State House and keep Rhode Island’s economic momentum going.

David Chenevert, Executive Director, Rhode Island Manufacturers Association

 John Hazen White, Executive Chairman, Taco Family of Companies