Serpa appointed to powerful House Finance Committee, Corporations Committee

Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) has been named to the House Finance Committee, considered the most influential of the House committees because of its role in developing the state budget, as well as a myriad of other matters that have a financial impact on the state.

Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello announced her appointment to the committee yesterday. He also named her to the panel’s Education Subcommittee and the House Corporations Committee.

“I would like to thank Speaker Mattiello for naming me to this committee,” Representative Serpa said. “I believe I can really make an impact here, especially with my knowledge and background as chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business and my new appointment to the House Corporations Committee. All three committees go hand-in-hand in many ways. I believe my position on the finance committee will allow me to better advocate for a more desirable business climate in Rhode Island and vast improvements to our state’s workforce. As a retired educator and admissions officer, I’m also very excited to begin work with the Education Subcommittee. How we go about teaching our youth is strongly intertwined with the skill level of the state’s workforce.”

She added that her new appointment to the House Corporations Committee will allow her to “marry perspectives” between big and small business when confronted with legislation regarding the economic health of the state.

Speaker Mattiello said he knows Representative Serpa will play a positive role in each of the three committees.

“Representative Serpa’s deep understanding of the Rhode Island business community’s wants and needs will certainly make a difference in how each of these important committees analyzes different options for boosting the economy,” Speaker Mattiello said. “Her additional background in education will also lend a solid perspective to the Education Subcommittee. I appreciate her insight and I know the rest of the committee will soon share this sentiment.”

Representative Serpa holds a master’s degree in education from Providence College and a bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Joseph College. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in November 2006 after serving six years on the West Warwick School Committee.