Rep. Ruggiero -- A Champion for RI Small Business

This letter written by Bob Silva of Middletown appeared in the Newport Daily News today. It spoke to me as I hope it will speak to you. I concur with Bob's opinion.

I have come to know Deb Ruggiero over the past eight years as a successful businesswoman and as an acknowledged community leader. I have discussed the problems that face our state and what needs to be done to create a thriving business climate. In this regard, Deb has a clear and consistent record of supporting policies and initiatives that help small business.

As chair of the Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee, I can tell you that Rep. Ruggiero attended many of our meetings where she listened and provided solid advice regarding my community’s business concerns. I consider her to be one of the hardest working legislators at the State House and she’s a woman of action as is evidenced by her support of the Micro Business Act which directs the state to provide assistance to very small companies.

As a small business owner herself, Deb Ruggiero has been a champion in the efforts to eliminate regulations on small business. As a member of the House Finance Committee, she helped restructure the unemployment insurance tax paid by employers, saving Rhode Island business owners $30 million dollars next year. She championed the legislation to repeal the sales tax on original works of art to help small business. She supported the legislation to assist local breweries and distilleries so they can grow their business. She voted to cut the corporate tax from 9% to 7%, the lowest rate of any New England state.

As a result of Rep. Ruggiero’s legislative work, businesses no longer pay a sales tax on their utility bills which means they can hire more employees or put the money to the bottom line. Rep. Ruggiero’s Renewable Energy Growth Law has created over 90 commercial solar projects in 28 Rhode Island communities including Middletown, Jamestown and Newport. The solar panels you see on Newport Animal Hospital, Lucy’s Hearth and Newport Vineyards save thousands of dollars a year in electricity costs.

Rep. Ruggiero is very well-respected among her colleagues at the State House as well as in the business community. When we elect Deb Ruggiero in November, she will assume her new role as the chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business.

Middletown and Jamestown are fortunate to have someone of her integrity and leadership working on behalf of small business at the State House. She’s a listener, a collaborator and has a solid reputation for getting things done.

Please join me in voting for Deb Ruggiero for State Representative for District 74 in Jamestown and Middletown.

-Robert M. Silva, Middletown