Sen. Dennis
Algiere – undecided – is a critical swing vote
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| Sen. Dennis Algiere - critical swing vote |
If
you are one of 57% of Rhode
Islanders who strongly believes it’s time for Rhode Island to join the
rest of New England in authorizing same sex marriage, there’s a job for you to
do.
Marriage
equality legislation passed the RI
House by a wide margin. Local Representatives Donna Walsh, Larry Valencia,
Teresa Tanzi and Bob Craven were sponsors of the
House bill.
Now
it’s time for the RI Senate to vote and the outlook for that vote is for a very
close vote. Neither supporters nor opponents claim to have the votes. Both
sides agree that the issue is still very much in the air.
Local
State Senators Cathie Cool Rumsey and Sue Sosnowski are both co-sponsors of the
Senate bill, so their “yes” vote is assured.
However, the Senate Minority Leader, Republican Dennis Algiere of Westerly has not declared a position. Algiere represents the South of One part of Charlestown.
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| Algiere's District 38 runs all along the coast from Watch Hill through South Kingstown |
Dave Sharfenberg
at the Providence Phoenix lists Algiere as one of ten Senators in the middle
of the debate whose ultimate decision will decide the issue. He lists Algiere
as “a toss-up at the moment.”
Algiere
is a member of that rare and dying breed – a truly moderate Republican who is
far more moderate than the DINOs (“Democrats in Name Only”) who often
dominate on issues like this. So there is a pretty good chance that he will pay
attention to well argued, reasonable points of view.
No
date has been set for the Senate to vote. However, Senate President Theresa
Paiva-Weed, a past opponent of marriage equality, has been under mounting
pressure to get the vote scheduled without undue delay.
If
you live in Senator Algiere’s district, you should let him know where you, as
one of his constituents, stand. Even if you don’t live in his district, if you
have a cogent position to argue, let him hear it.
You
can contact him by e-mail, snail mail or phone:
District
6 Elm Street
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: 401-222-2708
6 Elm Street
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: 401-222-2708