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| Affiliation | Republican |
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| Name | Kevin A. Breene |
| Address | 21D Victory Hwy.
West Greenwich, Rhode Island 02817, United States |
| Email | sen-breene@rilin.state.ri.us |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
July 19, 1956
(68 years)
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| Contributor | User 215 |
| Last Modifed | User 215
Mar 28, 2005 09:01am |
| Tags |
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| Info | Senate Minority Whip
Senator Kevin A. Breene has lived in West Greenwich his entire life. His vast experience with the people, schools, community organizations and local government is unrivaled and has provided him with the ability to fight for his district in the Senate. As a small businessman, community activist and father, Sen. Breene understands the needs of his constituents and the changing pressures in their lives.
Having been well educated in Exeter/West Greenwich Public Schools and Coventry High School, Sen. Breene continued his education by earning a degree in animal science from the University of Connecticut. The Senator’s interest in animal science started with one calf in 4-H back in 1965. After college, he started Breene Hollow Farm. The farm with one calf grew and moved to its current location in West Greenwich where it is the home of over seventy cows. His interest in agriculture is not just limited to his business but also extends into his volunteer efforts. Sen. Breene is a member of the Rhode Island 4-H Foundation, the Rhode Island Forest Conservator’s Organization and a long-standing member of the Exeter Grange.
As a young business owner, Sen. Breene grew concerned with local government and volunteered to serve. From time on the Zoning Board in the late seventies to his fourteen years on the West Greenwich Town Council, Sen. Breene served with insight, efficiency and care. He quickly rose to the position of West Greenwich’s Town Council President where he led the council for twelve years. In 2002, he was appointed Town Administrator of West Greenwich. Sen. Breene’s activity in local government was the perfect preparation for state office. In 1996, Sen. Breene took the oath of office to represent western Rhode Island in the state Senate. Since then he has worked with intensity and diligence to represent his constituents on Smith Hill.
Sen. Breene’s legislative priorities have remained consistent over his decade in the Senate. He has fought to preserve the rights of farmers in the state. He has introduced numerous pieces of legislation to support and provide for senior citizens. Sen. Breene has been active in the fight to hold government accountable. He co-sponsored the Separation of Powers legislation. The Senator has also worked hard to guard the state’s natural resources. He has worked on enhancing local water supplies. As a member of the Committee on Housing and Municipal Government, he worked diligently to solve the affordable housing issue. Sen. Breene was appointed to represent Rhode Island on the Border Commission, which is resolving the border dispute between Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Breene continues to be active in community organizations. He is a Mason, a member of the Ionic Lodge. He is active in the Foster Old Home Days and the Washington County Fair. He is a member of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and a former member of the Rhode Island USDA State Commission.
In the Senate, Breene serves as the Minority Whip. He sits on the Senate Committee on Commerce, the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government, and the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture.
He currently resides in West Greenwich where his four children keep him very busy.
Highlights of Public Service
1976-2004
Senate Leadership Positions:
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Senate Minority Whip
Senate Committee Memberships:
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Secretary, Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, 2003 - Present.
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Senate Committee on Housing, Commerce and Municipal Government, 2003 - Present.
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Senate Committee on Corporations, 1997 - 2002
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Senate Committee on Labor, 1997 - 2002
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Joint Committee on Energy and Environment 1997 - 2002
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Joint Committee on Water Resources 1997 - 2002
Obtained Grant Funding to Support Community Programs:
Helped secure grants for numerous worthwhile organizations and institutions.
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West Greenwich Historical Society
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Human Services - Town of West Greenwich
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West Greenwich Volunteer Fire Co. #1
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Hianloland Fire Company
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West Greenwich Community Rescue
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Rhode Island 4-H Club Foundation, Inc.
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Ashaway Ambulance Association
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Ashaway Volunteer Fire Association
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Wood River Health Services
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Hope Valley Ambulance Squad
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Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust
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Hope Valley – Wyoming Fire District
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Richmond Historical Society
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Richmond-Carolina Fire Department
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Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association
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Canonchet Cliffs II
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Chariho Cowboys
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Hopkinton Historical Society Association
Agricultural Preservation:
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Co-sponsored legislation which was approved to expand the definition of “agricultural operations” in the Rhode Island Right to Farm law.
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Introduced a bill which became law to enable cities and towns to exempt farmland from taxation when the owner conveyed the development rights of that land.
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Co- Sponsored legislation which allowed the Chief of the Division of Agricultural to authorize hunting at night on farmlands.
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Co- Sponsored legislation which allowed any city or town by ordinance to exempt farmland from property tax.
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Co- Sponsored legislation which regulates the manufacture and sale of farm home food.
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Co- Sponsored legislation which exempts farm vehicles and operators of farm vehicles from certain registration, license and tax provisions.
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Introduced legislation which established a D.E.M. program to combat wildlife to crops.
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Co- Sponsored legislation which allowed cities and towns to tax farm buildings at a rate of actual costs of providing services to the building.
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Introduced legislation which would recommend one member of the water resources board should be an owner/operator of an agricultural business.
Environmental Quality:
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Serves on the Border Commission to resolve the border dispute between Rhode Island and Connecticut.
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Serves on the Rhode Island Conservation Board (With Ginaitt)
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Introduced the legislation which created the Shannock Water District.
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Co-sponsored legislation which amended the Mercury Reduction and Education Act.
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Introduced the legislation which created the West Greenwich Water District.
Child Welfare and Protection:
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Member of the board of directors at Camp B-Hun-Tee, a camp for troubled youth.
Concern for our Seniors:
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Successfully introduced legislation which provided a reduced property tax rate for Senior Citizens in Exeter for six years.
Public Safety:
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Co- sponsored legislation that would require serious criminals to serve 85% of their jail time before being eligible for parole.
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Introduced the legislation which created the Exeter Fire District.
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Sponsored legislation which was approved to exempt ambulance and rescue corporations from property taxation.
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Co-sponsored legislation which made the penalty for driving under the influence with a BAC of .08% a misdemeanor.
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Introduced legislation which made State Police Members and other State Law Enforcement Officers eligible
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Introduced the legislation which created the Exeter Fire District.
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Introduced the legislation which established a juvenile hearing board in Exeter.
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Co-sponsored a bill that made the crime of “stalking” a felony.
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Co-sponsored legislation that allows a justice of the peace to hold without bail an individual charged with domestic violence pending a hearing before the district court on bail.
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Introduced a bill which provides workers comp coverage to members of the Rhode Island National Guard who are called to state active duty
Education:
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Sponsored the approved legislation which authorized bonds for the construction and operation of a regional school district in Charlestown, Richmond and Hopkinton.
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Co-sponsored the approved legislation which authorized bonds for Charlestown’s middle and high school auditorium.
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Sponsored the approved legislation which authorized bonds for the Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District Administration building.
Economic Development:
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Member of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, 2000- present
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Worked diligently to sustain a good business climate for major corporations in the district including Amgen, G-Tech, and Centrex.
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Voted against the bad economic development proposed in the expansion of Casino gambling in the State of Rhode Island.
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Co- Sponsored legislation which allowed for the creation of an enterprise zone in the town of Richmond.
Quality of Life for the Disabled and Chronically Ill:
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Sponsor of legislation requiring insurance companies to cover the treatment of Lyme disease.
Awards and Honors:
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Received the rank of 97% on his voting record for the year 2004 from Common Cause.
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