V. Susan Sosnowski

Virginia Susan Sosnowski (born December 20, 1955) is an American politician who is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island Senate, representing the 37th District, which encompasses the towns of South Kingstown and New Shoreham. She is the owner and operator of Sosnowski Farms, a family farm in West Kingston. Sosnowski was first elected on November 5, 1996 and is serving in her 8th term.

V. Susan Sosnowski
Member of the Rhode Island Senate
from the 6th (pre-2003) & 37th (since 2003) district
Assumed office
January 7, 1997
Preceded byEdward F. Holland (D-6)
Personal details
Born (1955-12-20) December 20, 1955
Warwick, Rhode Island
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Michael Sosnowski
ChildrenRonald; Deborah; Stephen; Michael, Jr.
ResidenceWest Kingston, Rhode Island
Alma materChariho Regional High School (1973),
Ocean State Business Institute (1982)
ProfessionSelf Employed Farmer, Sosnowski Farms

Education and early career

Sosnowski was born Virginia Susan Arnold on December 20, 1955 to Herbert L. Arnold and Virginia (King) Arnold and received her diploma from Chariho High School in 1973.[1] She went on to receive an associate degree from the Ocean State Business Institute in 1982. Sosnowski worked in retail sales at Fleming's Department Store in the village of Wyoming, Rhode Island from 1980 to 1984. She then worked as a sod harvester for Green Valley Turf Farm from 1984 to 1988, and as a manager/supervisor for Laurel Brook Farm from 1984 to 1990. Along with her husband Michael, she has been co-owner/operator of Sosnowski Farms since 1984. Prior to election to the Senate, she served six years as an appointed member on the Planning Board of the Town of South Kingstown.

Political career

Sosnowski was first elected to the Rhode Island Senate as a Republican on November 5, 1996 to the 6th district, defeating first-term incumbent Democrat Edward F. Holland by a margin of 55% to 45%.[2] A dispute with Republican Party leadership led her to join the Democratic Party during the 1998 session, then running as a Democrat during the 1998 election she defeated Republican challenger Martha A. Stamp by a margin of 73% to 27%.[3][4] Upon downsizing of the Senate from 50 to 38 members in the 2002 election, Sosnowski defeated Republican Challenger Anna F. Prager by a margin of 63% to 37% and elected to serve in the 37th District.[5] Sosnowski was reelected on November 2, 2010 defeating Independent challenger Kevin R. O'Neill by a margin of 51.4% to 48.9%.[6]

From 2001 to 2007, Sosnowski was the senate appointee to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. From 2007 to 2010, she served as Rhode Island's Legislative Commissioner to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. She is currently serving as Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture,[7] and serves as a member on the Senate Committee on Finance, Senate Committee on Government Oversight and Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.[8]

Selected legislation as enacted
  • 2000-S2470SubB An Act Relating to Motor Vehicle Offenses (0.08) DUI: Reduced the maximum blood alcohol concentration from 0.1% to 0.08% when determining whether an individual has been operating an automobile under the influence of alcohol.[9]
  • 2004-S2029SubB As Act Relating to Health and Safety-Rhode Island Workers' Safety Act of 2004: Banned smoking in restaurants, bars, malls, health care facilities, schools, public restrooms, public transit.[10]
  • 2004-S2097SubA An Act Relating to Groundwater Protection: Added limitations for solid waste facilities in groundwater protection areas as designated by local zoning ordinances and the RI water resources board.[11]
  • 2006-S2451SubA An Act Relating to Operators' Licenses -- Mobile Telephone Use Prohibited: Prohibited drivers under the age of 18 from using cell phones while operating a motor vehicle on the highway.[12]
  • 2006-S2499SubAaa An Act Relating to Agriculture and Forestry: Aimed to preserve agricultural rights by limiting the effect of changes in rules and regulations that would impair the ability to continue farming.[13]
  • 2007-S0081SubA An Act Relating to Education Health and Safety of Pupils: Required all senior high schools to offer healthier snacks and beverages through their vending machines as of Jan. 1, 2008.[14]
  • 2007-S1144 An Act Relating to Health and Safety—R.I. Cesspool Act of 2007: Phased out the use of cesspools that present the highest risk to public health and/or the environment effective June 1, 2008.[15]
  • 2008-S2797SubA Recycling - An Act Relating to Health and Safety: This act provided that each city and town that contracts with the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation for the disposal of its solid waste must recycle 35% of its solid waste and divert 50% of its solid waste by 2011.[16]
  • 2008-S2608SubAa An Act Relating to Public Utilities and Carriers: Prevented the shut off of gas or electric in any residence where there is a domiciled person under the age of 2 years old.[17]
  • 2009-S0732SubAaa The Water Use and Government Efficiency Act of 2009: This act improved efficiency in the state's water use through conservation—ensured availability of water for priority uses; economic development, drinking water, farming, firefighting—delivers water Rhode Islanders need for priority uses while protecting natural resources.[18]
  • 2009-S0204SubB An Act Relating to Motor Vehicle Offenses: Banned texting while driving.[19]
  • 2010-S2819SubAaa An Act Relating to Public Utilities and Carriers-Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy: Authorized Narragansett Electric to enter into an amended agreement with developer of offshore wind for purchase of energy, capacity and other environmental and market attributes as long as the provisions of the general laws pertaining to the Town of New Shoreham project are complied with.[20]

Proposed legislation

Sosnowski has backed amending the "good time" law, a "law that allows convicted criminals early release for good behavior." This would specifically prohibit "several offenses from being eligible for time off for good behavior, including murder, kidnapping of a minor, first-degree sexual assault and first- or second-degree child molestation." Her amendment passed the Rhode Island State Senate with a vote of 32-2 in May 2011.[21] In February 2012, the bill headed to the State House of Representatives. If approved, it would take effect starting July 1, 2012.[22] A March 2012 article by WPRO/630 mentions that the legislation is "in response to the planned early release of a man who killed a 5-year-old boy and kept his shellacked bones for years."[23]

Sosnowski, along with Louis P. DiPalma, Juan M. Pichardo, John J. Tassoni, and Walter S. Felag, Jr., proposed Senate bill S2755 on March 8, 2012. Released in connection with House bill H7933, the Senate bill would bring relief to uninsured children with disabilities that are not eligible for Medicaid because of income. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) revealed that 8 percent of children in the U.S. have significant disabilities. Many families of these children are forced to remain low-income in order to qualify for healthcare for their children. Sosnowski's Senate bill S2755 aims to ensure that families would be able to access the Medicaid buy-in regardless of income.[24]

Personal life

Susan and her husband Michael Sosnowski have four children: Ronald, Deborah, Stephen, and Michael, Jr.[25] Her and Michael's family farm uses organic farming techniques. Groups that she is involved in include: Northeast Organic Farming Association, Richmond Grange, South Kingstown Farmer's Market Association, Wakefield Rotary, and RI Nursery and Landscape Association.[25]

References
  1. "Virginia King Arnold (1920-2010) Obituary". Avery-Storti Funeral Home, Wakefield, RI. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  2. "1996 Election Results". RI Secretary of State. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  3. "RI the One-Party State". Rhode Island Monthly February 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  4. "1998 Election Results". RI Secretary of State. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  5. "2002 Election Results". RI Secretary of State. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  6. "2010 Election Results". RI Secretary of State. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  7. "Sosnowski Renamed Chair". Sosnowski. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  8. "Senator V. Susan Sosnowski". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  9. "2000-S2470 sub B". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  10. "2004-S2029 sub B". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  11. "2004-S2097 sub A". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  12. "2006-S2451 sub A". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  13. "2006-S2499 sub A". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  14. "2007-S0081 sub A". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  15. "2007-S1144". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  16. "2008-S2797 Sub A". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  17. "2008-S2608 sub Aaa". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  18. "2009-S0732 sub Aaa". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  19. "2009-S0204 sub B". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  20. "2010-S2819 sub Aaa". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  21. "Senate passes Sosnowski bills amending 'good time' law".
  22. "'Good time bill' heads to House after Senate passage".
  23. "Push for changes to RI prison good time laws". WPRO.
  24. "S 2755" (PDF).
  25. "Sosnowski Biography". State of Rhode Island Senate. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
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