All Pawtucket All The Time

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith has been appointed to the House Finance Committee by Speaker Gordon D. Fox. The Finance Committee is considered one of the most influential assignments in the House, since that committee is largely responsible for shaping the state budget and all other bills that have a potential financial impact on the state. It is also one of the busiest committees, meeting daily and sometimes twice a day throughout much of the legislative session.

Representative Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), who is serving her first term as a legislator, is the owner, founder and CEO of a successful small business, Dr. Day Care Child Development Center for Learning and Play. She also serves on the Labor, Small Business and Constituent Services Committees in the House.

“As a small-business owner and a person who cares deeply about our state’s children, I think I can bring valuable perspective to discussions about where our priorities should be when it comes to state funding. In our state’s current situation, with a massive deficit and a battered economy, I expect this committee assignment will be a challenge, but it’s one that I’m happy to take on,” she said.