Projo Politics Blog

State Sen. Juan Pichardo doesn't usually hide his support for human service programs that help low-income Rhode Islanders. Now, the Providence Democrat will have a chance to push his agenda on a national scale.

Pichardo has been named vice chairman of the National Conference of State Legislatures' Human Services and Welfare Committee. As a result of the appointment, Pichardo took part in an "officer training" at the NCSL Denver office earlier in the month.

While the state has yet to receive a final invoice, the trip cost taxpayers at least $788.

The flight was $470, while the hotel cost $159 per night; Pichardo stayed two nights, according to Senate spokesman Greg Pare.

During the officer training, Pichardo met with several committee members. As a result of their work, the committee will focus on drafting new policies on poverty, including early childhood education and "financial policies that support working families' efforts to move out of poverty and aging services," according to a statement issued by the Senate.

"I am excited to come together with colleagues from other states in working to draft policies that will positively impact people both locally and nationally," Pichardo said in a statement. "The important work of this committee goes hand-in-hand with the commission that I co-chair on building income and assets for working families in Rhode Island."

The NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and their staffs across the country.

 Tags  human services National Conference of State Legislatures Providence Sen. Juan Pichardo Rhode Island

---