PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Longer than expected, but still a success.
That was the assessment from House Speaker Gordon D. Fox of the 2013 General Assembly, shortly after the House of Representatives officially adjourned at 11:21 p.m. Wednesday.
Speaking on the chamber floor after another marathon day of legislative activity, the Providence Democrat pointed to passage of legislation making Rhode Island the tenth state in the nation to allow gay couples to marry, as well as the Assembly's economic development package.
"We made some concessions, but ultimately they will be good for economy," he said of the economic bills, a number of which passed in the final hours on Wednesday. "Soup to nuts, when you do the final analysis, this was a good session. Went longer than I thought and hoped, but it was a good session. A very productive session."
Fox said he had no reason to believe Governor Chafee would veto one of his top economic priorities this session: the creation of a new, governor-appointed Secretary of Commerce to serve as one of the state's leading voices in economic matters.
"He was part of those discussions, absolutely. And there were concessions made. I believe he will be supportive," Fox said of Chafee.
The speaker also highlighted passage of three out of the nine bills House and Senate Democrats had introduced to tighten the state's gun laws in the wake of December's Newtown, Conn. massacre.
He also acknowledged that the shadow of Rhode Island's failed $75 million investment in 38 Studios cast a pall over the session.
"It was the gorilla in the room, no question. It's been difficult," Fox said. "It's been a contentious session, but that's democracy."
Asked if he had any legislative disappointments this session, Fox replied: "Nothing that comes to mind."