PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The chairmanships of four Senate committees are in new hands.
Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed has chosen Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, to replace former Sen. Rhoda Perry -- who did not run for reelection -- as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.
Restaurateur Miller has been the chairman of the Senate Committee on Corporations. That job is going to Sen. Roger Picard, D-Woonsocket, a social worker for the Woonsocket School Department.
Sen. Juan Pichardo, D-Providence, is also stepping into a new role.
In the last session, Pichardo held the largely honorary title of Senate President Pro Tempore. In the new session which began Tuesday, he will chair the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. (The former chairman, John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, did not run for reelection.)
Lawyer and Sen. Erin Lynch, D-Warwick, has been tapped to chair the Senate Rules Committee. Sen. James E. Doyle, D-Pawtucket, had the job in the last session.