Sheehan Named Chair of Senate Oversight Committtee

Sen. James Sheehan (D - North Kingstown, Narragansett) has been appointed as chair of the Senate Committee on Government Oversight for the 2013-2014 General Assembly session.

Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed made the announcement Wednesday that Sheehan, who is serving his seventh term in the Rhode Island State Senate, would move from the committee's vice chair to the top spot.

The Senate Committee on Government Oversight considers appointments of the governor that are sent to it by the Senate for advice and consent. The committee also monitors and evaluates past, current and prospective performance of public bodies and statutory entities, including quasi-public agencies; considers the organization, reorganization, creation or termination of such public bodies, and reviews and considers reports of the General Assembly’s Auditor General. 

Sen. Sheehan butted heads with fellow State Senator Dawson Hodgson (R - North Kingstown, East Greenwich, Narragansett and South Kingstown) over the 38 Studios debacle. The video game studio, led by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, collapsed after receiving a $75 million loan guarantee from the state. Hodgson asked Sheehan twice to convene hearings into 38 Studios. Both requests were denied. Sheehan Republican