EP's Bill Conley Takes Over as Finance Chair in Senate

STATE HOUSE — President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence has appointed Sen. William J. Conley Jr. to serve as chairman of the Committee on Finance.

Senator Daniel DaPonte, District 14, was removed as Senate Finance Chairman by new Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Ruggerio was just installed as Senate President to replace Teresa Paiva Weed who quit the Senate to take a private position.

Senator Conley (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket), who was first elected to the State Senate in 2012, has previously served on the Judiciary and Environment and Agriculture committees.

“I have the highest regard for Bill Conley, who has a wealth of experience with municipal budgets, having worked with numerous cities and towns,” said President Ruggerio. “Senator Conley has tremendous intellect, an even temperament and a strong dedication to public service on behalf of our state. I am confident he will make an exceptional chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.”

He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston College and went on to earn his J.D. from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law.

Senator Conley is a member of the Volunteer Lawyer Program of the Rhode Island Bar Association and serves on the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Legal Services Corporation.

“I am honored that I have been chosen to lead the Senate Finance Committee,” said Senator Conley. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and the extraordinary team of staffers who work so diligently to provide guidance on the financial matters that beset our state. I am grateful to President Ruggerio for giving me this opportunity.”

The Senate Finance Committee is responsible for all matters relating to revenue, appropriations and taxes.

He is owner of the Law Office of William J. Conley, Jr. where he has practiced as an attorney since 1982. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston College and went on to earn his J.D. from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law.

Senator Conley is a member of the Volunteer Lawyer Program of the Rhode Island Bar Association and serves on the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Legal Services Corporation.

Prior to his election to the Rhode Island Senate in 2012, Senator Conley was elected as an at-large member of the East Providence City Council in December, 2010.