Meet Charlene Lima
"Every day when I go to Smith Hill as your State Representative, I bring the common sense values of a Cranston homeowner. That’s why I’m not afraid to stand up to the activists and party bosses to support law enforcement, protect school children, and cut taxes for middle class families. With your support, I can keep being an independent voice."
Charlene Lima lives in Cranston with her husband Frank. She grew up in Silver Lake, Providence as the daughter of an ITALIAN MOTHER and PORTUGUESE FATHER. Her mother was a Gelfuso and Nardolillo. She was baptized and confirmed in the old St. Bartholomew's Church. She learned the value of hard work in her first job at a local Burger King, while Sunday dinners with her extended family taught her that you sometimes need to raise your voice to be heard — both lessons that have served her well in Rhode Island politics.
Before being elected State Representative, Charlene graduated from St Bartholomew's Grammar School, Classical High, University of Rhode Island and worked as a math teacher at the Samuel W. Bridgman Middle School and truant officer for 28 years. One of the major reasons she ran for office was to make sure every child received an education that prepared them for either college or a well-paying career in the trades. She has worked for this cause her entire career, both by championing funding for new school construction and opposing attempts to politicize our classrooms and teach young children about age-inappropriate topics.
Charlene has achieved several legislative successes as State Representative. She was an original sponsor of eliminating the car tax and has consistently opposed tax increases throughout her career. She also wrote and passed a law requiring banks to properly keep up foreclosed properties and prevent them from becoming blighted. Earlier in her career, she passed one the largest consumer protection laws in Rhode Island’s history to crack down on contractor fraud.
CHARLENE’S LEGISLATIVE AWARDS
“Charlene recognized for doing the job you elected her to do!”
CHARLENE’S LEGISLATIVE AWARDS
“Charlene recognized for doing the job you elected her to do!”
- Prestigious John E. Forgarty Award presented to Legislators whose work improved the lives of Disabled Rhode Islanders.
- Attorney General Consumer Protection Award for her law protecting consumers from unscrupulous Contractors.
- RI Assistive Technology Access Partnership Award for the law she sponsored improving phone service for Disabled Rhode Islanders.
- National Federation of the Blind of RI Distinguished Service Award.
- Defenders of Animals Certificate of Appreciation Award for her FIRST IN THE NATION mandatory spay and neuter law for stray and feral cats ending their needless suffering.
- Humane Society of the United States National Humane Legislator of year Award.
- Public Service Award from the RI Health Care Association that made Medicare and Medicaid payments available longer for Rhode Islanders in need of Health Care.
Most importantly, Charlene has always been an independent voice instead of siding with radical activists or party bosses. She has supported our police and other first responders, spoken out against a bill to “teach pleasure-based sexual education starting in Third Grade." In her next term as State Representative, she will continue to stand up for good government, even when it means taking on her own party.
U.S. SENATOR JACK REED SUPPORTS AND ENDORSES CHARLENE!
“I have had the privilege to know and work with Charlene over the years. Charlene will continue to be a fighter for our veterans, seniors, police, and first responders, as she has been throughout her career serving Cranston and Providence.” U.S. Senator Jack Reed
“I have had the privilege to know and work with Charlene over the years. Charlene will continue to be a fighter for our veterans, seniors, police, and first responders, as she has been throughout her career serving Cranston and Providence.” U.S. Senator Jack Reed
CHARLENE HAS spent over 30 years of elected service fighting for veterans at the Statehouse with RESULTS:
- I passed the FIRST “Missing Veterans of War Resolution” urging federal action on POW/MIA veterans and “Bring the Boys Home Resolution.”
- Fully eliminated the state income tax on military pensions.
- “Stolen Valor” law to make it a crime to fraudulently represent oneself as an active or veteran member of the military.
- Gave members of the National Guard the same tax benefits as other military veterans.
- Increased state funding for an improved quality of life at the RI Veterans Home in Bristol
- Laws to extend property tax exemptions to veterans who served during the Cold War and many more!
Issues:
Middle class tax cuts
Charlene Lima was one of the original sponsors of eliminating Rhode Island’s car tax and supported accelerating the car tax phase out so it finished this year. This was the most recent of many middle class tax cuts she has supported, including eliminating the tax on veteran’s benefits.
Charlene has been a vocal critic of new tax increases proposed by the legislature, including a so-called “carbon tax” that could increase the price of gas by an additional 15%. She has also introduced legislation to stop the state from taxing unemployment benefits. In her next term, she will continue to fight for middle class tax relief, which is even more important during these difficult economic times.
Charlene has been a vocal critic of new tax increases proposed by the legislature, including a so-called “carbon tax” that could increase the price of gas by an additional 15%. She has also introduced legislation to stop the state from taxing unemployment benefits. In her next term, she will continue to fight for middle class tax relief, which is even more important during these difficult economic times.
reducing the price of gas
Record high gas prices are putting financial stress on Rhode Island families, especially anyone who has to drive longer distances for work. Charlene Lima has supported suspending the gas tax to give immediate relief to drivers and will continue to do so in her next term. Rhode Island has an almost $1 billion budget surplus this year so there was no reason to keep the gas tax in place.
good public schools
As a public school math teacher, Charlene Lima saw firsthand how a good education prepares students for college or a well-paying career in the trades. As a lawmaker, she has fought to make sure our children have modern, high-quality school buildings and are taught by qualified, dedicated teachers. She has consistently supported additional school funding and also has opposed any attempt to insert politics or age-inappropriate topics into the classroom.
public safety & fighting crime
Charlene Lima believes the most important role of government is keeping people safe in their homes and on their streets. Without public safety, nothing else is possible. That’s why she has always supported getting our police the equipment and training they need to be effective. She also has introduced bills to toughen the penalties for violent crime while also introducing a bill to make it easier to expunge misdemeanor criminal records, so people who make a mistake can get a second chance.
One of the legislative positions Charlene is most proud of is standing up for law enforcement at the height of the “Defund the Police” movement in 2020. On the House floor and in media appearances, she spoke against the extremists and stood with law enforcement. In her next term, she will continue to back the blue and support the men and women who keep us safe.
Charlene Lima believes the most important role of government is keeping people safe in their homes and on their streets. Without public safety, nothing else is possible. That’s why she has always supported getting our police the equipment and training they need to be effective. She also has introduced bills to toughen the penalties for violent crime while also introducing a bill to make it easier to expunge misdemeanor criminal records, so people who make a mistake can get a second chance.
One of the legislative positions Charlene is most proud of is standing up for law enforcement at the height of the “Defund the Police” movement in 2020. On the House floor and in media appearances, she spoke against the extremists and stood with law enforcement. In her next term, she will continue to back the blue and support the men and women who keep us safe.
- CHARLENE’S SENSIBLE GUN SAFETY SUPPORT AND VOTES
OUR OPPONENT CONSTANTLY LIES ABOUT MY GUN SAFETY VOTES
2000 H 7551---THIS WAS CHARLENE'S BILL MANDATING THAT EVERY FIREARM SOLD IN RI MUST BE SOLD WITH A TRIGGER LOCK BILL SIGNED INTO LAW (22 YEARS AGO CHARLENE A PIONEER IN GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION!!!)
2013 H-5286 FELONY TO REMOVE A SERIAL NUMBER FROM A FIREARM
2013 H-5991 INCREASED PENALTIES FOR POSSESSING A STOLEN GUN IN A CRIME OF VIOLENCE
2013 H-5992 A MENTAL TASK FORCE BILL (STUDY WAYS TO KEEP INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FROM BUYING A FIREARM
2016-H7283 PERSON CONVICTED OF FELONY DOMESTIC CRIME-MUST SURRENDER WEAPONS
2017 H-5510 LIMITS ACCESS TO WEAPONS IF UNDER DOMESTIC RESTRAINING ORDER
2018 H-7162 REPORT OF ALL CRIMES COMMITTED WITH GUNS
H-7688 RED FLAG BILL
H-7075 BUMP STOCK BILL—PREVENTS RIFLES FROMM BEING CHANGE TO FIRE MULTIPLE ROUNDS
2020 H-7102A PROHIBIT THE USE OF 3D PRINTING TO MAKE FIREARMS-GHOST GUN LAW (BANNING MAKING)
2021 H-5727 AG REPORTING BILL MANDATES THE REPORTING OF HOW MANY AND HOW CRIMES WITH GUNS WERE DISPOSED OF AND WHAT TYPE OF WEAPON WAS USED
2022 H-7358 PROHIBIT CARRYING OF LOADED RIFLE IN PUBLIC
- H-7457 RAISES THE RIFLE AND AMMUNITION PURCHASE AGE FROM 18 TO 21 (RAISES THE LEGAL AGE TO PURCHASE FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION IN RHODE ISLAND FROM 18 TO 21, WITH EXCEPTIONS FOR POLICE, STATE MARSHALS OR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY OR NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS.
- CHARLENE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE BANNING OF AUTOMATIC ASSAULT MACHINE GUNS
SUPPORTS CONSTITUTIONAL SAFE STORAGE OF GUNS LIKE HER TRIGGER LOCK SHE PASSED
supporting small businesses
Small businesses, not giant corporations, are the economic engine that powers Rhode Island’s economy. Too often, they get ignored by politicians because they don’t have an expensive lobbyist. Charlene Lima has always advocated for small businesses, both in her district and throughout the state. During the Coronavirus pandemic, which devastated local businesses, she fought to exempt PPP loans from taxation so that people could keep their doors open.
Small businesses, not giant corporations, are the economic engine that powers Rhode Island’s economy. Too often, they get ignored by politicians because they don’t have an expensive lobbyist. Charlene Lima has always advocated for small businesses, both in her district and throughout the state. During the Coronavirus pandemic, which devastated local businesses, she fought to exempt PPP loans from taxation so that people could keep their doors open.
OUR OPPONENT'S EXTREME RADICAL positions
- Our opponent wants to defund the police (. (“no one told your scary ass to be the police-Giona retweet 5/31/2020").CHARLENE fights for your safety!
- Our opponent supportS teaching sex for pleasure in gramMar school.(STATE HOUSE TESTIMONY H 22-7166)) charlene fights for our values!
- Our opponent WANTS TRANSGENDER WOMEN(BIOLOGICAL MeN WHO TRANSGENDERED INTO A WOMAN) TO BE ABLE to PLAY IN GIRLS AND WOMEN SPORTS.(CRANSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE HEARING 2024) charlene has common sense positions!
- our opponent and her supporters want to do away with local zoning to eliminate single family home neighborhoods charlene will protect our single family neighborhoods and find places for affordable housing for those in need!
- our opponent wants to take away your gas car, gas and oil heat and gas stove making you switch to all electric in 5 years-costing you thousands of dollars more each year in costs! charlene has common sense positions and supports a less costly environmental friEndly energy reduction plan
- CHARLENE SAID, “I can’t knock on your door four times a week because I am busy doing the job you elected me to do, but you can always call or email me anytime about anything.” I LISTEN AND ANSWER!
CHARLENE GIVING $1000 CHECK TO WESTERN CRANSTON GIRLS SOFTBALL NE CHAMPIONS OFF TO THE WORLD SERIES! BRING THE TROPHY HOME TO CRANSTON GIRLS!!
CHARLENE'S LEGISLATIVE AWARDS FOR DOING THE JOB YOU ELECTED HER TO DO!
CHARLENE'S LEGISLATIVE AWARDS FOR DOING THE JOB YOU ELECTED HER TO DO!