Projo Politics Blog

In a recent call to Political Scene, House Speaker William J. Murphy went out of his way to dispel recurring rumors that he plans to leave the State House after this session to spend more time with his young family, and that one of more of his key legislative lieutenants is politicking behind the scenes to replace him.

Murphy, one of the state’s busiest criminal-defense lawyers, spends countless daytime hours in court and many more late-afternoon and nighttime hours, during the six months the General Assembly is in session, at what is considered one of the most influential jobs — if not the most influential job — in state government.

“I would like to know the source of those rumors but I can tell you I am running again for speaker … they are obviously just rumors,” he said.

Following those comments, Murphy launched the fundraising season for legislators last week with a $200-per-person event.

On the night before Republican Governor Carcieri unleashed his fiscal ’09 tax, spending and budget-cutting plan, the annual Murphy event drew an estimated 500 legislators and lobbyists to the West Valley Inn in his hometown, West Warwick.

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