The rise of East Bay representatives with the ascension to Speaker of the House of Nicholas Mattiello (D, Cranston) is an interesting development to watch. John “Jay” Edwards (D, Portsmouth, Tiverton) is now House Majority Whip.  Raymond Gallison (D, Bristol, Portsmouth) is now chairman of the House Finance Committee.

Some folks have suggested that it’s an indication that the tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge may be removed, despite Mattiello’s having been the main proponent for the tolls the night they passed the House two years ago.  In Rhode Island politics, however, explanations that work from the top down tend to be more predictive than those that work from the bottom up.  Assume that leadership’s objectives are being maneuvered, not regular members’.

Another possibility is that leadership positions are consolation prizes for the East Bay representatives.  I’ve been suggesting that the legislative fight against the tolls has been little more than a distraction dance.  For all intents and purposes, the only legislators who must fear the displeasure of the East Bay are our own, and if they are boosters of the Democrat leaders, then it makes sense for them to contrive some cover.

How many times has Buddy Cianci said that Edwards has done the “yeoman’s work” trying to stop the tolls?  And yet, the delays remain only delays.  Some firey speeches on the House floor (though Edwards never withdrew as deputy majority leader under Gordon Fox), some commission hearings, some unlikely legislation (requiring other reps to impose new taxes on their own constituents), and voila the people of the East Bay think their reps did everything they could. And now those reps are in “leadership” positions… why rock the boat?  Maybe they’ll be able to help in other ways, moving forward.

Out of ceaseless hope and optimism, I haven’t wanted to pick between these two possibilities in the past couple of weeks.  I must say, though, that news that first-time, mostly quiet Representative Dennis Canario (D, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) has become deputy majority leader begins to sway me back toward the distraction-dance thesis.

It just feels like preparation for the election-season line that “the East Bay shouldn’t give up its big role in leadership.”