PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A hearing Tuesday afternoon of the House Finance Committee will focus on Democratic leaders' plans to revamp the state's economic development bureaucracy, which has been under fire since authorizing a $75-million loan guarantee to Curt Schilling's video game company, 38 Studios.
Among them is a proposal, introduced by House Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo, D- East Providence to create a new "Executive Office of Commerce" headed by a "Secretary of Commerce."
The Cabinet-level office, appointed by the governor, would take over many functions of the state departments of Business Regulations, Labor and Training, Environmental Management and Administration.
And House Majority Leader Nicholas A. Mattiello, D-Cranston, has submitted legislation requiring a new "Economic Development Planning Council" convene every four years, timed with the gubernatorial election, to develop an economic policy plan.
The hearing will begin about 4:45 p.m. in Room 35 of the State House.