Paiva-Weed elected Senate president

PROVIDENCE—State Sen. M. Teresa Paiva-Weed has become the first woman elected to lead Rhode Island’s Senate.

Lawmakers picked Paiva-Weed on Tuesday to succeed Joseph Montalbano by a vote of 35-0. There were three abstentions. The election came during the General Assembly‘s first session of the year.

Paiva-Weed was endorsed by the majority Democratic caucus last year. Her predecessor, Montalbano, was voted out of office in the November election.

The former majority leader has said the Senate’s first task will be vetting an overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program. Lawmakers must soon debate a budget plan that Gov. Don Carcieri will submit to close an estimated $357 million budget deficit.

“The economy is the priority, and that will take many different forms. Starting from day 1, we’re going to need to address the supplemental budget as well as the Medicaid waiver,“ Paiva-Weed said.

State Rep. William Murphy was elected to another term as House speaker.

A power struggle has emerged for the leadership of the tiny Republican caucus in the Senate. 

Sen. Dennis Algiere is being challenged by Sen. Leo Blais.  Each has two votes, which includes their own.