Former legislative leaders representing decades of power at the pinnacle of state government in Rhode Island returned to the Statehouse to honor one of their own — ex-Speaker Nicholas Mattiello — as his official portrait was unveiled Tuesday in the House of Representatives’ chamber.
“You made this House better, you made me a better speaker and you made the state of Rhode Island better,” due in part to a series of tax cuts, said House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, who succeeded Mattiello in 2021.
Mattiello ascended to the speakership in March 2014, after a raid by state and federal authorities sparked the resignation of his predecessor, Gordon Fox.
One of Mattiello’s first budgets was passed before sunset — a rarity at the Statehouse — and he championed the phaseout of the car tax during a 2016 legislative challenge from Republican Steve Frias. As time went on, though, a group of Democratic dissidents said Mattiello was too autocratic and they stopped supporting him.
The Cranston Democrat’s tenure also coincided with a decision by the Pawtucket Red Sox to relocate to Worcester, a decision that came as Mattiello and then-Gov. Gina Raimondo couldn’t agree on a plan to try to keep the team.
In 2020, Mattiello’s hold on what is sometimes called the most powerful post in state government came undone when Cranston Republican, Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, defeated him during a state rep race.
During comments from the rostrum, Mattiello celebrated the work of the House, asserting that a lot of the good done by the chamber goes unnoticed. He said his focus as speaker was on the economy since “although a social safety net is of utter importance, and we concentrated on it, you’re not going to need it if people are partaking in a successful economy and that was my goal.”
Fox, who was sentenced to serve three years in prison after being convicted of bribery, wire fraud and tax evasion, was one of four former speakers who attended the event to recognize Mattiello. Also on hand: Matthew Smith, John Harwood and Bill Murphy.
Family members, lobbyist Robert Goldberg, and a number of past and present state representatives and legislative staffers, some who attracted past controversy, were also on hand.
The fraternity of the House of Representatives held sway as the portrait made by Ben Aronson of Framingham, Massachusetts, was unveiled in front of the rostrum. A legislative spokesman said the portrait cost $22,000 and was paid through public funds — a perk provided for former speakers.
Mattiello now works as a lobbyist, representing clients including Lifespan and the Providence Journal Company.
The former House speaker praised the work of legislative staffers. And he thanked those who came to his event for showing their support.
“That’s the beauty of this place,” Mattiello said. “You meet people you will be friends with forever and ever.”
One of those singled out for recognition was former Rep. Cale Keable of Burrillville. Keable lost re-election after being accused of sexual harassment in 2018 — an accusation denied by Keable.
Mattiello recalled how Keable found him having a pre-scheduled lunch in March 2014 with then-Rep. John Carnevale when news broke of a fight for the speakership, due to raids by state and federal investigators on Gordon Fox’s home and Statehouse office. Asked why he showed up, Keable said, “I’m here to help,” Mattiello recounted.
Correction: An earlier version of this online story mistakenly reported whether Keable sought re-election in 2018.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org
