Representative Scott A. Slater
Deputy Majority Leader
First Vice Chair, House Finance Committee
Member, House Rules Committee
Member, House Special Legislation Committee
Scott A. Slater (D) has served the people of Providence in District 10
since winning a special election in November 2009 to fill the seat after
the passing of his father, Thomas Slater. He is a Deputy Majority
Leader. Representative Slater is the first vice chair of the
House Finance Committee and chairs that committee's Education
Subcommittee. He also serves as a member of the House Rules
Committee and the House Special Legislation Committee. Representative
Slater is also a member of the Permanent Joint Committee on State
Lottery.
In 2023, Representative Slater was the primary sponsor of a new law which
would
allow the state’s recreational cannabis dispensaries to advertise their
products. Previously, Rhode Island’s cannabis businesses were
unable to advertise by law, although dispensaries in other states, such as
Massachusetts, were allowed to advertise within Rhode Island.
He also introduced legislation which would increase the daily rate of
payments to nursing facilities by 20 percent for single occupancy rooms to
include private bathrooms and a bill which would
create an income-sensitive tiered subsidy program to ensure that home energy
utility costs are affordable for eligible low-income households.
After many years of advocacy, in 2022, Representative
Slater’s legislation to legalize recreational adult use of cannabis was
signed into law.
He also introduced a bill in 2022 which would establish
an income-sensitive tiered subsidy program to ensure that home
energy utility costs are affordable for eligible low-income households,
and he cosponsored legislation which would limit
rate increases by electric distribution companies to either 5.5%
annually or be no greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index.
Aside from his legislative duties, he works as a budget analyst for the City
of Providence. He earned a bachelor's degree at Bryant University. Born on
May 28, 1975, he is married to Bianca Rodriguez and they have two daughters,
Mia and Madeline.