Rep. Gregg Amore, Dist. 65, To Seek Re-Election

State Representative Gregg Amore, a District 65 Democrat, has announced his intentions to run for a third term as a State Representative. Amore is a veteran East Providence High School teacher and was recently appointed as the district Athletic Director. His district includes Kent Heights and Riverside neighborhoods. Amore is a Kent Heights resident.

Amore recently joined area East Providence legislators in decrying the State's plan to rebuild and repair roads. “Owning a tank should not be necessary to go down Pawtucket Avenue but it’s beginning to get to that point,” said Amore . “East Providence residents pay their taxes and they deserve a safe Pawtucket Avenue to travel on with their families and vehicles. This plan is simply intolerable,” he added.

Amore released a re-election statement which said in part: "Representing the citizens of District 65 the past four years has been an honor and a privilege and I hope to continue to fight for their interests at the State House.

After years of fighting for reimbursement to the East Providence School Department for CRAFT funding for the Bradley Hospital program, an increase to the East Providence School Department was included in this year’s state budget, inspired by legislation sponsored by Representative Amore.

The inclusion of additional funding to the East Providence School Department in this year’s budget is a huge win for East Providence taxpayers,” said Representative Amore. “The addition of $4,000 per bed for the CRAFT program at Bradley Hospital included in the budget rectifies an eight year loss for East Providence that totals over $800,000. The state reimbursement for these students has not increased in nearly a decade, and the cost of transportation, in-district special education services, and out-of-district special education services had placed an undue burden on the East Providence School Department and taxpayer and I am happy to report that this is no longer the case for East Providence residents.

Representative Amore also strongly supported several money-saving initiatives within this year’s state budget such as a state income tax exemption to all retirees who have reached the full Social Security retirement age beginning in the 2017 tax year. The tax cut also applies to other types of retirement income, including public and private pensions. The move will benefit over 60,000 taxpayers and provides $14 million of annual tax relief to the taxpayers.

He also supported the increase to the earned income tax credit to 15 percent of the federal credit, after raising it from 10 percent to 12.5 percent in 2016. The change will affect 83,000 taxpayers earning $50,000 or less, allowing them to keep more of what they earn, and helping Rhode Island businesses who benefit from the increased spending power of those consumers.

He also fought hard for victims of domestic violence, seeing two pieces of legislation he sponsored pass the General Assembly that will create further crucial protections for victims of domestic violence. The first bill requires the surrender of firearms within 24 hours by anyone who is either convicted of a felony charge of domestic violence, or pleads nolo contendere and the second bill prohibits individuals served with protective orders relating to domestic assault from shutting off or disrupting utility services without prior court approval.

In 2014, Representative Amore was honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving as a Legislator of the Year for his cosponsoring of legislation that allows judges to require ignition interlocks for those convicted of drunken driving. The legislation was improved during the most recent legislative session.

He was also awarded the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Rhode Island Cancer Caucus, a prestigious honor bestowed by ACS CAN in recognition of his commitment to promoting legislation that improves the lives of cancer patients. He was awarded the honor because in 2013, Representative Amore championed a bill requiring health plans to cover oral treatments for cancer at a rate comparable to standard intravenous chemotherapy. Since the passage of his bill, the legislation has saved cancer patients thousands of dollars for a treatment that serves the same purpose as the intravenous form. It also recognizes the growing range of oncology drugs and leaves room for medical advances in oral treatments.

In addition to fighting for things like better local and state roads, Amore said that "If reelected, I will work hard making sure our public school system is adequately funded so our kids can succeed later in life. I am asking the residents of District 65 to consider me again for the seat because I feel that I have more work to do for the taxpayers of East Providence,” said Amore.

Amore resides withhis wife, Lee and their two children, Tess and Megan.